There is just under a month to go until the BELMOT Oldtimer-Grand-Prix, and the starting grids for the 13 races and demo runs are gradually taking shape. The first series organizers can even report a “full house” – and, as is typical for this traditional classic event at the Nürburgring, class and mass, tradition and performance will once again come together this year: A perfect mix for a historic motorsport weekend at its finest. There are some fascinating highlights in the three Formula starting fields, which range from the early days of Grand Prix racing and the infancy of the Formula 1 World Championship to the 1960s and 1980s: this fascinating era can be experienced at first hand with the “racing driving school cars” of the junior classes of the time and the magnificent cars of the Cosworth Formula 1 era (1966 to 1985).
From the forefathers of Formula 1 to the 1980s
Four free-standing wheels, a driver's seat – and the Formula racing car is ready to go. It quickly became apparent that this simple design principle could be used to create an exciting sport, and so the oldest Grand Prix cars at the BELMOT Oldtimer Grand Prix date back to the pre-war era. They start in the HGPCA (Historic Grand Prix Cars Association), which announces a field of almost 30 front-engined monoposti. They represent the prehistory and early history of Formula 1, which began in 1950. Particularly fascinating: the pre-war Maseratis built between 1933 and 1939 find their successors in the 250F models of the early Formula 1 years.
Formula 2 racing cars (which were also allowed to compete in the World Championship at the time) will also be on the starting line from this period, as will British models such as Cooper and Lotus. Of course, the Ferrari 246 Dino, which marked the transition to the early 1960s, is also included: a fast-paced and fascinating journey through time, where even forgotten car manufacturers such as Peirce, Alta, Emeryson, and Scarab can be seen once again. This promises pure racing history, just like the cars of the legendary three-liter Formula 1 (from 1966).
When F1 designers were still calling the shots...
Ford Cosworth DFV – no other term better sums up the era of Formula 1 between 1966 and 1985. The three-liter V8 engine racked up over 150 Grand Prix victories and was (in various evolutionary stages) the benchmark in the world championship for 19 years. The British racing series “Masters Racing Legends” is bringing these impressive race cars with their distinctive sound back to the Nürburgring. They date back to a time in the premier class when it wasn't the big manufacturers but the small garages that dominated the scene. McLaren, Williams, Arrows, Tyrrell: these names are music to the ears of motorsport fans, and of course the models from these legendary teams will be on display at the Ring. Lotus is also on the list, as it was team boss and founder Colin Chapman himself who was instrumental in the development of the most successful Formula 1 engine of all time.
Of course, there were also German drivers in the premier class during this period, such as Rolf Stommelen (1969–1978), Jochen Mass (1973–1982), Manfred Winkelhock (1982–1985), and Stefan Bellof (1984–1985). However, another part of Germany's Grand Prix history is that there has been a race in the premier class here almost every year since 1951. And time and again, the Nürburgring was the venue. Junghans, once again the official timekeeping partner of the BELMOT Oldtimer Grand Prix this year, was also well known in top-class sport in the 1970s. As innovative timekeeping experts, the Black Forest-based company also made a name for itself in Formula 1 at the time – and this year, it is taking over the patronage of the Masters Racing Legends races at the Oldtimer Grand Prix. The winner will even receive one of the strictly limited edition models for the 52nd edition of the OGP as a special award – with a unique commemorative engraving, of course!
The “driving school cars” of the stars of yesteryear
The German (and international) Formula 1 stars would not have been able to make their careers without suitable “driving school cars,” and it is precisely these authentic speedsters from Formula 3 and Formula Ford, for example, that are presented in the packed starting field of the Graf Berghe von Trips Cup. The oldest historic racing series in Germany has announced the maximum possible 36 monoposti for the BELMOT Oldtimer Grand Prix, in which world stars and private drivers learned their craft between 1966 and 1992. Among the cars on display will be the original Martini Mk42 that Ivan Capelli drove to the Formula 3 European Championship title in 1984. An Italian championship-winning car driven by Nicola Larini will also be there – the future DTM and Formula 1 driver won the title in the Dallara F356 Alfa Romeo in 1986. German racing history is represented by John Westenberg, who is bringing a Ralt RT30 VW formerly driven by Bertram Schäfer to the Nürburgring, in which Kris Nissen became Formula 3 vice-champion in 1985. Highlights like these show how intensely racing history can be relived here – topped off with exciting races and the wonderful mix of sound and performance of the monoposti.
Lavish starting fields for touring cars and GTs
The fact that spectators at the Nürburgring can look forward to full starting fields does not only apply to the formula classes. The two races for touring cars and GTs in the German Historic Automobile Championship (DHAM) were so popular that the organizers of the Historic Championship '65 and '81 had to announce that “nothing more is possible” because the maximum number of vehicles permitted according to the track inspection report had already been reached. This limit has not yet been reached in the sports car starting fields, but fantastic vehicles have been announced that will ensure a unique spectacle on the track, reminiscent of the heyday of sports cars and prototypes. Numerous former racing stars have also registered for the touring car races, which will revive the golden age of the DTM. The first weekend in August is therefore almost a must-attend event.