Over 500 participants will be battling for positions during the Bosch Hockenheim Historic from April 11 to 13, 2014. "We have full starting fields in nine races, two regularity runs and three demonstration runs," says Organizing Director Wolfgang Huter. This means that the schedule is fully booked and spectators will be treated to motorsport at its best throughout the day.
There will also be a comprehensive supporting program with many attractions for motorsport enthusiasts.
World record attempt with Lotus cars
On Saturday evening, spectators can experience a special highlight after the end of the race: In honor of the legendary exceptional driver Jim Clark, former Formula 1 driver Christian Danner will give the starting signal for a world record attempt with Lotus cars.
To be entered in the Guinness Book of Records, at least 437 Lotus cars - with no limit on year of manufacture - must complete a lap of the 4.574-kilometer Grand Prix circuit at the Hockenheimring. The numerous vehicles will gather on the large brand club area during the day.
For Lotus fans, a visit to the Jim Clark Memorial in the East Curve will also be a must. The ceremonial laying of the wreath by founder Graham White and former Lotus Formula 1 driver Martin Donnelly will take place on Saturday at 11.45 am.
A reminder: Scottish Formula 1 world champion Jim Clark was killed in an accident on April 7, 1968 in the first Formula 2 race for the Martini Gold Cup at the Hockenheimring. In his memory, the organizer presents an attractive Formula 2 grid every year in addition to the Lotus focal points.
In 2014, Formula 2 cars from Brabham, Chevron, Lola, Lotus, Ralt and Surtees will compete in the European Historic Formula 2 Championship.
Formula 1 cars from different eras
The 4.574-kilometer Grand Prix circuit is of course also the venue for Formula 1 cars from different generations. Overall, the Bosch Hockenheim Historic offers a spectrum of Formula cars like no other historic event in Europe. Monoposti from the 60s, 70s and 80s invite spectators on a unique journey through time. Incidentally, direct access to the paddock gives particularly interested visitors the unique opportunity to look over the mechanics' shoulders as they carry out repairs and preparations.
Seeing the Eifelland F1 for the first time in a long time
After years of disuse, the only existing Eifelland Formula 1 is to be used again. The car will be shown exclusively at a photo opportunity on the start and finish straight as part of the Bosch Hockenheim Historic - The Jim Clark Revival on Friday, April 11, 2014 at 7:00 pm. Stommelen's former companion Jochen Mass will also be there.
In 1972, a purely German Formula 1 adventure began: the Eifelland Formula 1, designed by Luigi Colani and driven by Rolf Stommelen, took to the racetrack. Caravan builder Günther Hennerici founded a motorsport team at the end of the 1960s, mainly to accommodate the motorsport ambitions of his future wife Hannelore Werner. In 1970, Hennerici bought a Brabham BT30 and entered the Formula 2 European Championship with Rolf Stommelen as his driver. After two less successful years, the team switched to the Formula 1 World Championship in 1972.
Günther Hennerici had a curious plan for this in mid-1971. He acquired a March 721 monocoque and had star designer Luigi Colani create a new futuristic body. The caravan manufacturer's motorsport department worked at full speed between the years. The body consisted exclusively of curved lines and was intended to revolutionize the Formula 1 world. However, the first test drives at the Hockenheimring in January 1972 were sobering: the car was practically undriveable. For its debut on March 4, 1972 at the South African Grand Prix, March had to fit rear and front wings to give the car sufficient downforce. The curved cockpit surround remained, but had to be modified several times by the middle of the season because the engine was not cooled enough. An important detail of the car, which was officially launched as the Eifelland Type 21, was the mighty central rear-view mirror, which was mounted just in front of the steering rim. Rolf Stommelen described this mirror as "at least taking some getting used to".
There were no great successes to be achieved with the vehicle, but Stommelen did reach the finish line six times in eight starts. One of the notable successes was tenth place in the Monaco Grand Prix on May 14, 1972. 25 cars were on the grid in the principality. When Hennerici sold his caravan company in the summer of 1972 and also lost interest in motorsport, the end of the team was inevitable. The Austrian Grand Prix on August 13, 1972 was the Eifelland team's last race in the Formula 1 World Championship.
An affordable pleasure
Family-friendly admission prices make this excellent motorsport weekend from April 11 to 13, 2014 perfect. Admission is free for all visitors on the Friday of the event.
Tickets for Saturday and Sunday start at 25 euros and the weekend ticket is available for 35 euros. Young people up to the age of 16 accompanied by an adult have free admission for the whole weekend.
More information about the Bosch Hockenheim Historic can be found on the event website.
