THE GLORY OF PAST DAYS IS BACK AT THE MOTODROM
From 3rd to 5th May 2024, the Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg will once again be the home of one of the most important classic events in the world, honoring one of the greatest racing drivers of all time.
When the smell of oil, petrol and tire rubber hangs over the historic Motodrom, the sound of four, six, eight, ten or twelve cylinders caresses the ears of the fans and they no longer know where to look first because of all the motorsport treasures in all directions – then the “ADAC Hockenheim Historic – The Jim Clark Revival” is once again coming to Hockenheim.
Even though a new title sponsor has come on board in the form of Europe’s largest automobile club, the unique character of the ADAC Hockenheim Historic has not changed. For once, the classifications of the numerous races in the various categories do not play the main role – at least not for the spectators. What matters is the pure enjoyment of experiencing the automotive treasures on the race track and being able to admire them up close.
All these racing cars, most of them in their original condition, tell stories from a time when motorsport was undoubtedly less perfectly structured and at a lower technical level compared to today. But everything was closer and easier to understand for the fans, and it was easier for the teams and drivers to implement and finance. Unfortunately, motorsport in those days was also more dangerous. The event’s namesake is one of the saddest examples: At the latest since his accidental death in a Formula 2 race on April 7th, 1968, the name of two-time Formula 1 World Champion Jim Clark has been inextricably linked with the Hockenheimring. In honor of the unforgotten Scot, a memorial was built in the area of the former forest straight between the Motodrom and the east curve, which is still visited by fans and drivers today. And the ADAC Hockenheim Historic, one of the most important classic events in the world, is also held in Jim Clark’s honor.
Nine different racing series with cars of all types have signed up for the 2024 edition of the Jim Clark Revival. There is the Historic Racecar Association, which thrills fans every year with its various monoposti and even Formula 1 cars and is honoring another motorsport legend this year with the “ADAC Graf Berghe von Trips Cup”. In the battle for the 1961 Formula 1 World Championship title, Wolfgang Graf Berghe von Trips from the Rhineland lost his life in an accident (following a collision with Jim Clark) shortly after the start of the Italian Grand Prix in Monza. The Lurani Trophy is the platform for Formula Junior, in which numerous later racing greats have earned their first driving steps, as well as in the young racers of the Historic Formula Vau Europe. While Raceclub Germany is home to single-seaters from Formula V to F1 spanning six decades, the BOSS GP with its cars from the 80s and 90s builds a bridge to the modern era.
Fans of the powerful Group C prototypes will get their money’s worth in the MOMO Sportscar Supercup, while the Golden Era Touring Cars and the DRM Revival offer a reminiscence of great touring car battles in the German Touring Car Championship (DTM) and the German Racing Championship (DRM). And for fans of the legendary sports car brand from Hethel, the Lotus Cup Europe races are a absolute highlight.
The ADAC Hockenheim Historic wouldn’t be the ADAC Hockenheim Historic if the event wasn’t characterized by maximum fan friendliness. There are no barriers or gated areas at the Jim Clark Revival. The paddock is open; nowhere else can you get closer to the cars and drivers. And if you want to enjoy this in peace and quiet on Friday, you can get in for just 15 euros. Tickets for Saturday and Sunday cost 35 and 30 euros respectively. And for those who just can’t get enough of the classic action, we recommend the weekend ticket for 49 euros. Admission is free for wheelchair users and children up to the age of 14. More information at www.hockenheim-historic.de.
