Messe Stuttgart experienced a successful motorsport kick-off on the weekend of July 19 and 20, 2014, when racing and car enthusiasts flocked to the trade fair grounds at the airport to experience the premiere of the first "Retro Race".
Due to the heat, visitor numbers were lower on Saturday than on Sunday. Over the course of two days, everyone who is interested in motor racing gathered on an area of around 70,000 m².
"We are naturally delighted with the successful start," said organizer Karl Ulrich Herrmann. "In a region like Stuttgart, where people are practically born with a passion for cars, it was to be expected that the concept for this weekend would work - but we are still delighted. Not least thanks to the exemplary safety concept and the modern exhibition grounds, the organizers were able to hold the first event without any accidents or major incidents."
The spectator runs of historic racing cars and collectors' cars were particularly popular with the public.
Extraordinary racing cars, such as a 1999 Dodge Viper with 650 hp or a 1959 Hildegas, which caused a sensation at the famous Indianapolis race in the USA, and famous motorcycles, which brought the golden age of Solitude racing back to life, were fascinating.
The enthusiastic visitors enjoyed the motorsport feeling for over 5 hours on average and were on site for 1.1 days. According to the survey, 90 % of them want to come back next year and will recommend the Retro Race to others. One of the highlights was the International Drift Series - IDS. The organizer, Dr. Jörg Söhner, gave this championship race top marks. Above all, this drift track on the Stuttgart exhibition grounds exceeded all requirements in terms of precision and presentation possibilities.
The open paddock, both in Hall 3 and on the open-air site, allowed many spectators to get up close and personal with the participating racing cars and their owners. The open paddock also offered the chance to discover small details that are not visible when racing on the circuit.
The wide range of family activities was very popular. A go-kart track and a bobby car track for the minis had been set up especially for the little motorsport fans.
Over 50 journalists from all over Germany came to report on the event. They are looking forward to the next Retro Race on next year's third weekend in July on July 18/19, 2015.
