The touring cars of the eighties and nineties are popular. Back then, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Alfa Romeo, Opel and many other manufacturers competed in highly competitive championships. It is therefore understandable that these cars are once again in demand and popular in historic racing.
With the "Touring Car Legends", a new racing series for racing cars from the DTM/ITC, STW and DTC championships of the last millennium will be created in 2019.
Improving the tried and tested
"The previous formats for classic touring cars were good," says Jörg Hatscher, Managing Director of the new Tourenwagen Legenden GmbH. "However, I see a lot of room for improvement - especially in terms of organization and transparency."
Hatscher, who was awarded the DSK Fairness Prize by the Deutscher Sportfahrer Kreis in 2018, is initiating the new racing series together with Thorsten Stadler.
"Jörg and I have been active in historic motorsport ourselves for many years and know from our own experience exactly what participants want," explains Stadler. "The aim of the new series is to offer our customers a professional environment and maximum feel-good factor.
Experienced organization team
Both initiators will not intervene in the operational business of the series. The "touring car legends" have put together an experienced team for this purpose. Alexander Ferreira, who was one of the brains behind the first touring car revival at the Nürburgring in 2009, will be in charge of the organization.
Carsten Setzefand, who has been involved in race management for ten years, will be Head of Sport. The two permanent race directors, Kai Rübenhagen and Andreas Thamm, are also no strangers to the scene and have many years of experience in both professional and amateur racing. Herbert Fussen, who knows the aged racing cars like the back of his hand, is the chairman of the technical commissioners.
Legendary racing drivers back at the start
"The founding of the 'Touring Car Legends' has already caused quite a stir in the scene," says Ferreira. "We have spontaneously received positive feedback and many drivers have already expressed their interest in competing with us in the 2019 season. One of them is Klaus Ludwig, who will be driving for the entire season."
Setzefand adds: "Preparations are in full swing, and we will soon be publishing the invitation to tender and the 2019 schedule." An official website is being created.
Four vehicle classes
Four vehicle classes will be advertised: DTM/ITC 1993-1996 (Class 1), DTM 1989-1992 and Group H cars with a DTM background (Class 2), DTM and DTC 1984-1988 (Class 3) and STW 1993-2000 (Class 4). A race weekend comprises a free practice session, a qualifying session and a race over a distance of 40 minutes including a mandatory pit stop. Up to two drivers can share a car.
