Mega Vintage Festival: Oldtimer Grand Prix Nürburgring

BMW M1 Procar

Story by Marcel Hundscheid – Speed-O-Graphica.com, images by Trevor Noble

The annual Oldtimer Grand Prix at the legendary Nürburgring is a must-see event. The event attracts hundreds of participants from Europe, the United States and Australia. This year´s 43rd edition saw some unique cars on and off the race track from the golden era of motorsports.

From August 7th until August 9th the 43rd edition of the AvD Oldtimer Grand Prix was held on the Nürburgring. 52.000 spectators were treated with a true festival of motorsports featuring hundreds of iconics cars from the past decades. The AvD Oldtimer Grand Prix has build a well known reputation over the years and is regarded as one of the must see historic motorsports events on the European continent.

Over the three days over 20 races and regularity tests were held including Formula 1 cars, touring cars, GTs, sports cars and single seaters from the golden era of motorsports. Besides a great variety in cars several stars from the motorsports scene were present and participated in the programme.

Triple Le Mans winner and Audi factory driver Andre Lotterer drove an Audi 100 Coupe in the popular DRM (Deutsche Rennsport Meisterschaft) Revival. Six-time Le Mans Jacky Ickx was present as a guest from Porsche Classic signing lots of autographs. Over the weekend spectators could enjoy the FIA Masters Historic Formula 1 Championship, FIA Lurani Trophy, FIA Masters Historic Sports Car Championship, Jaguar Heritage Challenge, Touring Car Revival 2015 Regularity Test, Revival Deutsche Rennsport Meisterschaft, AvD Touring car and GT Trophy, Formula 3 cars 1964-1984, two seat sports cars and GTs, Historic Grand Prix Cars until 1960, Masters Gentlemen Drivers and the Vintage Sports Car Trophy.

FIA Masters Historic F1 Championship

Twenty-eight epic F1 cars entered the grid on Saturday for their first race of the weekend including different Tyrrell’s, Williams, Lotus, Arrows and lots of other icon’s from the golden era of F1 racing. Seen for the first time were a ATS HS01, Merzario FIA 3 and a Hill GH2 Ford. Belgian Loïc Deman claimed pole position in a Tyrrell 010 by 1.4 seconds in front of Briton Michael Lyons in a Hesketh 308E. Deman powered his Tyrrell 010 in Candy liverie into the lead, followed by Michael Lyons Hesketh. Lyons couldn’t catch Deman, as Andy Wolfe couldn’r match the speed of the Hesketh-driver in his Tyrrell 011. Deman grabbed victory in front of Lyons and Wolfe. The second race on Sunday looked very similar as Loïc Deman scored his second consecutive win of the weekend. Michael Lyons and Andy Wolfe finished second and third just as they did on Saturday.

FIA Lurani Trophy for Formula Junior cars

Popular with both drivers and spectators are the Formula Junior cars entered for the FIA Lurani Trophy. For the 43rd edition of the AvD Oldtimer Grand Prix, thirty-seven cars filled the grid including amongst others different Lotus, Brabham, Cooper, Lola and Elva single seaters. During the first race on Saturday a great fight for victory was fought between Gregory Thornton (Lotus 22), Andrew Hibberd (Lotus 22) and John Fyda (Brabham BT6). In the end it was Thornton who finished first, just 0.164 second in front of Hibberd. John Fyda scored third place finishing just eight tenths of a second slower than Hibberd. On Sunday the race was completely different from the day before. Gregory Thornton dropped out after just six laps. Andrew Hibberd scored victory as John Fyda finished second, almost fourteen seconds slower. Mark Pangborn finished in third place with a Lotus 20B.

FIA Masters Historic Sports Car Championship

The FIA Masters Historic Sports Car Championship is a series for Le Mans-style sports cars and Group 4 period cars from 1962 up to 1974. Twenty-seven classic sports cars were entered including amongst others different Chevron, McLaren and Lola cars. Nick Padmore drove the Max Smith-Hilliard Chevron B19 to pole position. Michael Gans scored a second time on the grid, nearly two tenths of a second slower than Padmore. The first race was won by Michael Gans in a Lola T290. Mark Piercy finished second also in a Lola T290, Nick Padmore crossed the finish line in third position in a Chevron B19. For the second race on Sunday Andy Wolfe took over Michael Gans Lola. Due to contact between Max Smith-Hilliard (Chevron B19), Martin O’Connell (Chevron B8) and Mike Wrigley (Chevron B16), the safetycar had to be deployed. After the restart Gans crossed the finish line first as Mark Piercy finished second in a Lola T210. Jason Wright claimed the final position on the podium in a Lola T70 Mk.IIIB.

Revival Deutsche Rennsport Meisterschaft 1972-1981

On of the true crowd pullers during the AvD Oldtimer Grand Prix are the touring cars and GTs that participated in the DRM championship. Best known for the races with epic Group 5 cars such as the Ford Capri Zakspeed, Porsche 935 and BMW M1 Turbo, the organizers managed once again an interesting field of cars. Le Mans winner and Audi factory drive Andre Lotterer claimed pole position in a Porsche 935 K3, beating Peter Mücke in the Ford Capri Zakspeed by 0,792 second. The most interesting Porsche on the grid, Lotterer’s 935 K3 and Christian Traber’s 935 as well as the 935/5 driven by Jörg Hübner had to withdraw after a handful of laps. In the end Peter Mücke scored a smashing victory over the BMW M1 Procar of Axel Heinrich with a difference of nearly 26 seconds! Michael Kammermann finished third in his BMW M1 Procar. German touring car legend and multiple Le Mans winner Klaus Ludwig finished fourth in a Porsche 930 Gr. IV. The race on Sunday was a 100% copy of the first race as Peter Mücke scored his second consecutive win of the weekend, in front of the BMW M1 Procar’s of Axel Heinrich and Michael Kammermann.

Two seat sportscars and GTs unti 1960/1961

Forty-five iconic sportscars and GTs until the early sixties were present for their first race of the weekend, traditionally started during sunset. Amongst others a unique Ferrari 250 GT Breadvan was entered, including several Porsche 356s, classic Mercedes and Lotus cars and a couple of very tasty Maserati’s. Tony Wood was quickest during qualifying resulting in a pole position for his Lister Chevrolet Knobbly. Just 0,7 seconds slower was Mark Lewis in his Lister Chevrolet. Julian Majzub put his unique Sadler Mk.III third on the grid. During the first race Majzub proved to be the man to beat crossing the finish line first after 28 laps. Tony Wood scored a second place, Mark Lewis claimed the final spot on the podium. On Sunday the fight for victory was once again fought between these three drivers. This time it was Tony Wood claiming victory, just 0,8 seconds in front of Mark Lewis Lister. Julien Majzub had to settle for third place.

Historic Grand Prix Cars until 1960

The Historic Grand Prix Cars until 1960 gave spectators a taste of Grand Prix racing from the early years of single seater racing, presenting a nice field of 27 cars, including Maserati’s, Ferrari’s, Cooper’s etc. For this race Julian Bronson drove his Scarab Offenhauser to the pole. Guillermo Fierro scored a second time in a Maserati 250F 2523, as Tony Wood drove his Maserati TecMec to a third place on the grid. The first race was quite close as Julian Bronson scored victory, just 1.276 seconds in front of Guillermo Fierro’s Maserati. Steven Hart finished third in his Maserati 250F CM7. During the second race on Sunday Julian Bronson scored his second victory of the weekend. This time he managed to create a gap of no less than 8.309 seconds in front of the Ferrari 246 Dino of Tony Smith. Guillermo Fierro scored his second consecutive podium of the weekend, finishing third.

Jaguar Heritage Challenge

Jaguar Cars Ltd. manufactured the legendary E-Type between 1961 and 1975. Over 14.000 were produced from both the 3.8 liter Series 1 and 4.2 liter Series 1. It was without doubt one of the top sports cars from the 60s. To pay tribute to the car and its design 18 classic ‘Cat’s’ gathered for their single race on Saturday. Sandy Watson and Martin O’Connell were quickest and claimed pole position just 0,4 seconds in front of Count Marcus von Oeynhausen. The count proved to be the man to beat claiming a crushing victory over Jamie Boot with a gap of more than 1 minute! Harry Wyndham finished third.

Formula 3 1964-1984

Back in 1964 a one-litre F3 category was introduced based on Formula Junior rules. From 1971 new regulations allowed 1.6 litre engines, from 1974 the 2.0 liter engines were introduced. In the Formula 3 1964-1984 thirty-two F3 cars from the past battled it out, such as different Ralt’s , Toyota’s, March, GRD, Cooper, Ensign and Tecno’s. Pole position was claimed by Thomas Warken in a Ralt RT3/84-Toyota, just 0,1 seconds in front of Valerio Leone in March 783-Toyota. The first race on Saturday saw Valerio Leone claiming victory in front of Michael Ringström in a March 753-Toyota. Pole sitter Thomas Warken finished third in the end. The second race on Sunday was an exact copy of the first race as Valerio Leone scored his second victory of the weekend. Michael Ringström and Thomas Warken finished second and third.

Gentlemen Drivers (GTs until 1965)

As usual the Gentlemen Drivers with GTs until 1965 always provide some very good racing featuring classic Gran Turismo’s such as the AC Cobra, Jaguar E-Type, Ginetta’s, Bizzarrini’s, Lotus, Morgan’s etc. George Nolte and Audi factory drive Frank Stippler were the quickest in their Bizzarrini 5300 GT from the 31 car pack. Michael Gans and Andy Wolfe scored the second time on the grid in their AC Cobra, just 0.255 seconds behind the big Italian. After the 60 minute race it was Andrew Haddon who scored the overall victory in his AC Cobra. Michael Gans and Andy Wolfe finished second, Jamie Booth drove his TVR Griffith to a third place.

AvD Touringcar and GT Trophy until 1965 / 50 years Alfa Romeo GTA

Thirty-nine classic touring cars and GTs filled the grid for the AvD Touringcar and GT Trophy until 1965, as well as the anniversary grid for 50 years Alfa Romeo GTA. Nicolai Kjaergaard drove a lonely thirty lap race in his Lotus 26R as he drove in a league of his own, crossing the finish line first. Two minutes behind the Danish driver, Malte Fromm finished second in a Alfa Romeo 1750 GTAM. Third place went to the Alfa Romeo 1750 GTAM of Markus Niestrath.

AvD Historic Marathon / Nürburgring Trophy

Traditionally held on Friday are the grids of both the AvD Historic Marathon and Nürburgring Trophy, raced on the legendary Nordschleife and open to touringcars and GTs from the sixties. This year fifty cars were entered for the race including lot’s of Porsche’s, AC Cobra’s, Alfa Romeo’s, Ford Mustang’s and lot’s of other beauties. The four hour endurance race on Friday was won by Marcus von Oeynhausen and Audi factory driver Frank Stippler in a Jaguar E-Type. Allen Tice and Chris Conoley claimed second place in a Marcos 1800GT as Andrew Haddon and Martin Stretton finished third in a AC Cobra. The Nürburgring Trophy was won by Mark Bates and Sean McInerney in a Porsche 911 RSR. Second place went to Mike Stursberg and Olaf Manthey in a Ford Escort RS1600. The final place on the podium was claimed by Klaus Dieter Frers and Frank Stippler in a Porsche 911 Carrera RS.

We can´t wait until the 44th edition of the AvD Oldtimer Grand Prix gets underway in an unique atmosphere on one of the world´s most legendary racetracks.