Hockenheim Classics 2023 // Historic motor sport on an international level
Historic motorsport at its best on two, three and four wheels: That’s what the Hockenheim Classics have stood for for 46 years. From 29 September to 1 October 2023, the Veteran Vehicle Association (Veteranen-Fahrzeug-Verband e.V.) in cooperation with the Hockenheim-Ring GmbH will organise the highlight event of the classic scene with around 750 participants. The spectrum of registered historic motorbikes, sidecars, touring cars and formula vehicles is unique. There is no sign of age among the vehicles from the good old days and their drivers.
In 23 classes, subdivided according to engine capacity and year of manufacture, points will be contested for the DHM, German Historic Championship, for racing teams and solo racing motorbikes. Among them are the German Historic Motorcycle Champions 2022 solo and team as well as the most successful DHM ladies of last year Renate Schaub, Doris Scheib and Jutta Schumacher. The three riders are also on course for success this year and will be fighting for valuable points towards the Ladies’ Cup at the Hockenheim Classics. Who will stand at the top of the podium in the end will be decided at the last two DHM classification rounds of the 2023 season, which will be held at the Hockenheim Classics.
The Friends of Historic Racing Motorcycles (FHRM) from Switzerland will show the whole range of historic motorbike racing on the Baden circuit. Machines built at the end of the 1920s will be moved around the track at racing speed just as much as machines built up to the end of the 1970s. The extraordinarily diverse classic motorbike programme will be rounded off by exciting races of the IG royal class, which will hold two races at the Hockenheim Classics.
Classic automobiles will also be at the start this weekend: The vehicles range from formula racers to touring cars and GT vehicles to sports prototypes – vehicles older than 25 years are permitted. The VFV car group GLPpro offers a real showcase for all car enthusiasts in its regularity tests.
Special exhibitions and racing legends
Another highlight of this year’s event is the VFV special exhibition “Racing Motorcycles from 1960 to 1993”. More than 80 original racing machines will be on display in pits 43 to 46. In four special races, two each on Saturday and Sunday, these jewels of historic motorbike racing can also be experienced on the track. Legendary drivers from earlier times will come to Hockenheim and present these famous racers. World Champion Jon Ekerold on his SOLO 500, Vice World Champion Rolf Blatter on his Morbidelli GP125, World Champion and Isle-of-Man rider Michael Wild on his Spondon Rotax 250GP, the German Champions Helmut Kassner on his Suzuki RG500MK1 and Bernd Kassner on his Suzuki RG500, the German Champion Ingo Emmerich on his Seel RS 125 as well as the GDR Vice Champion Gerold Meißner on his Meikomot 50 will be at the start. And also the 1993 German sidecar champion Erwin Neumayer, now also on two wheels, will show his 1967 MV-Agusta 3C.
At the invitation of the VFV, the international association Amicale Spirit of Racing will exhibit selected racing motorbikes of high historical value at the Hockenheim Classics to enable visitors to experience exciting Grand Prix history at close quarters. Amicale Spirit of Racing is an association of collectors of historically significant racing motorbikes and is dedicated to the preservation and maintenance of motorsport heritage. The association has a unique selection of factory and production racing motorbikes that have played a significant role in the history of motorbike racing. With its more than 1,000 racing machines, it maintains a fund that documents motorbike racing history from the early beginnings to modern times. During the daily special races, visitors will be able to see machines that can otherwise only be seen in museums in full action on the legendary Hockenheimring.
The Hockenheim Classics features a select range of racing motorbikes, racing cars and also classic automobiles, offering historic motor sport at a high international level. Incidentally, the best place to indulge your passion for historic motorsport is the open paddock. Because there, nostalgia fans can experience drivers, mechanics, machines and cars up close.
Tickets
Tickets start at 10 euros for a Friday ticket, day tickets for Saturday and Sunday cost 18 euros each. If you want to enjoy the whole weekend, you can pay 25 euros. Admission is free for children under 14. Tickets are available via the online ticket shop, on the hotline +49(0)6205 950 222 or at the box office.
More information on the 46th Hockenheim Classics can be found online at: www.hockenheim-classics.de
