ADAC Hockenheim Historic // Legendary racing heroes in legendary racing cars
- 20th edition of the Jim Clark Revival from 9 to 11 May at the Hockenheimring
- The ‘Golden Era Touring Cars’ are one of the highlights of the programme
- DTM icon Roland Asch competes in two legendary racing cars
The programme for the 20th edition of the ADAC Hockenheim Historic – The Jim Clark Revival leaves nothing to be desired. Historic racing cars from all classes will present a thrilling cross-section of almost a century of motorsport at one of the largest classic events in Europe. Whether formula cars, sports and GT cars or touring cars – real racing fans will get their money’s worth with more than 500 participants and their automotive treasures over the three days of the event.
The colourful programme is packed with highlights. There are the almost priceless GP racers from the 1920s to 1960s from the Historic Grand Prix Cars Association, which are making their way back to Hockenheim after many years. Or the British guests from Masters Historic Racing, who will be at the start with four series: The ‘Masters Racing Legends for 1966 to 1985 F1 Cars’, the ‘Masters Le Mans 90s+’ as well as the ‘Masters Pre-66 Touring Cars’ and ‘Masters Gentlemen Drivers’.
Impressive field of touring cars
The crowd favourites at the ADAC Hockenheim Historic undoubtedly include the ‘Touring Cars Golden Era’ with their cars from the ‘good old’ DTM up to 1995, the super touring cars from the STW and, more recently, the various Porsche Cup models. A total of 92 participants have registered for the rendezvous at the Hockenheimring, which is unprecedented. And this impressive field includes not only the legendary racing cars of this unforgotten era, but also legends at the wheel. Legends like Roland Asch.
In 1988, his very first year in the DTM, Roland Asch celebrated his first of two runner-up titles in a private Mercedes 190E 2.3-16 at the tender age of 38. The second followed in 1993 as a Mercedes works driver in the Class 1 190. He has competed in 172 DTM races, with six victories, 32 podium finishes and five pole positions to his name. The Swabian from Ammerbuch is now 74 years old – but the racing spirit still radiates from his every pore.
DTM legend Roland Asch has ambitious goals for the race weekend
‘Hockenheim,’ emphasises Asch, ’is my home race. Driving there has always been something special for me. That’s why, and because I’ve always been a fan of Jim Clark, I’m particularly looking forward to the Jim Clark Revival.’ Where Roland will start in two cars. Firstly, a Mercedes 190E 2.5-16 Evo1 from 1989, which he shares with Ferdi Weischenberg. And then the Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth, which he lovingly rebuilt from 1986 together with his son Sebastian (38), who is also successful in motorsport. And which he will also be driving together with the two-time ADAC GT Masters champion. With hardly any less drive than back then.
‘Even if there are a few pinches due to age – everything in the racing car feels just like it did back then,’ laughs Roland. ‘The racing series is great, you always meet old faces. Whether it’s Heger, Nissen, Thiim, Grohs or others – it’s always nice to get together with the guys. I’m particularly looking forward to sharing the Cossie with Sebastian, which we built ourselves.’ The ex-professional has no lack of ambition: ‘I want to be at the front, I want to win, that hasn’t changed. That’s just the way it is for a racing driver. There’s no value in just rolling around.’ The fact that the old cars are inferior to the modern cars in almost all performance-relevant aspects does not bother Asch – on the contrary: ‘I prefer driving the old cars. H-shift, intermediate throttle, no ABS or other electronic aids, the good old popometer that counts – that’s what I like.’
According to Asch, it is easy to explain why classic events such as the ADAC Hockenheim Historic have been booming for years: ‘Everything used to be less professional, but perhaps more honest and more tangible for the fans. And that’s also the case with the ‘Touring Cars Golden Era’: the spectators come very close, our team is there with a tent and we sit together in the evening – just like we used to. And that’s very nice.’
According to Asch, it is easy to explain why classic events such as the ADAC Hockenheim Historic have been booming for years: ‘In the past, everything was less professional, but perhaps more honest and more tangible for the fans. And that’s also the case with the ‘Touring Cars Golden Era’: the spectators come very close, our team is there with a tent and we sit together in the evening – just like we used to. And that’s very nice.’
Eleven fascinating racing series, family-friendly admission prices
Eleven racing series are on the grid at the ADAC Hockenheim Historic and each is as steeped in history and fascinating as the next. And, as always, there is visual and acoustic enjoyment on the small circuit. The Friday ticket costs just 17 euros, the day tickets for Saturday and Sunday 39 and 34 euros respectively and the weekend ticket 54 euros. Naturally including grandstand seating and paddock with a varied supporting programme. Pupils and students pay half price, children under 14 and wheelchair users are admitted free of charge. Tickets are available at the box office or in the ticket shop.
