2017 was a complete success for the Touring Car Classics. Now it is entering the new year as an FIA racing series, with even more races and even more drivers and cars from back then.
This historic championship was founded in November 2015 by Marc Hessel, Alexander Ferreira and Ralph Bahr. They were united by their passion for classic touring car racing and, of course, their love of cars like those that raced in the DTM 20 or more years ago.
Full program for 2018
Seven championship races are planned for the 2018 season:
- April 21/22 - Hockenheimring (as part of the Bosch Hockenheim Historic)
- 19/20 May - Lausitzring (as part of the supporting program of the DTM race at the Lausitzring)
- June 16/17 - Nordschleife and GP circuit (as part of the Nürburgring Classic)
- August 11/12 - Nürburgring GP circuit (as part of the AVD Oldtimer Grand Prix)
- September 1-2 - Zandvoort (as part of the Zandvoor Historic Grand Prix)
- September 15/16 - Salzburgring (as part of the Histo Cup Salzburgring)
- October 13/14 - Hockenheimring (at the DTM finale)
In each race, five groups/classes (e.g. Group A) compete for championship points and the annual victory.
There will also be friendly races at Donnington, Brands Hatch and Silverstone as well as presentations at the Classic Days Schloss Dyck and the Rossfeld hill climb.
Highlights to be announced
Two championship races are sure to be particularly interesting, namely the race on the Nordschleife in June. Unfortunately, the current DTM hasn't raced on the long track for a long time, so it will be all the more extraordinary to see the old warriors - registered drivers include Christian Menzel, Marc Hessel, Harald Grohs, Olaf Manthey, Kurt Thiim, Klaus Ludwig, Gianfranco Brancatelli, Kris Nissen, Hubert Haupt and Johnny Cecotto - will be back in the classic DTM cars, racing over the jump hills.
The return to the Salzburgring should also be exciting, as the races provided plenty of excitement thirty years ago.
Old team back at the start
Vogelsang Automobil GmbH & Co KG, one of the institutions in touring car racing in the eighties and nineties, is also back. The authorized BMW dealer from Vest is celebrating a revival of the former racing team - with two original race cars and three former contract drivers. And that's not all: the Revival Team Vogelsang will be actively involved in the German Touring Car Classics, and even in the supporting program of today's DTM, the German Touring Car Championship, on several occasions.
Speaking legend at the microphone
The races are also not to be missed because of the apt commentary from the microphone, as Rainer Braun will once again be sitting in the announcer's booth for some of the races and, just like back then, will explain what is going on in a witty and dedicated manner.
Zwischengas will report on all the races and if you look closely, you will certainly recognize the stickers on the side windows.
More information about the Touring Car Classics can be found on the racing series website.
