ADAC Hockenheim Historic // Motodrom Insight 2025
A RACING FESTIVAL not just for nostalgics
From the 9th to the 11th of May 2025, the ADAC Hockenheim Historic will once again be presenting a colorful selection of racing cars from many decades and many different racing classes.
For years, the ADAC Hockenheim Historic – The Jim Clark Revival has not only been one of the highlights in the event calendar of the Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg, but also one of the most popular classic events in Europe in terms of spectators and participants. Last year, a total of 33,000 people made all the way to this event, which has been held since 2005 as the successor to the “Jim Clark Gedächtnisrennen” (Jim Clark memorial race) in honor of the Formula 2 driver who died in a Formula 2 race in Hockenheim on 7th of April 1968.
More than 500 participants from all over the world with their sometimes priceless automotive treasures have confirmed their attendance at the 20th edition of the Jim Clark Revival, which takes place on the Grand Prix circuit in May. Whether formula racers, touring cars, prototypes or GT cars – with the enormous variety of racing cars from almost a century, there is something for everyone. For example the F1 cars taking part in the event already represent six decades.
Unique journey through motorsport history
Thomas Voss, Head of Motorsport, Classics and Events at the ADAC, who took over the title patronage for the event a year ago, is also a fan of the Jim Clark Revival: “Historic motorsport always inspires fans and participants. As a logical consequence, the ADAC is happy to support such events. The ADAC Hockenheim Historic offers a unique journey through motorsport history and brings very different eras back to life. Visitors have the chance to experience the fascinating technology and meet the heroes of the past. No motorsport and car fan should miss this event.”
Ten highly attractive racing series are on the program over the three days of the event. One of the “regulars” is the Historic Racecar Association, which stages the “ADAC Graf Berghe von Trips Cup” with its formula cars in various classes to commemorate the Rhinelander Wolfgang Graf Berghe von Trips, who died in the 1961 Italian Grand Prix in Monza.
Among the oldest cars in the field are those from the Historic Grand Prix Cars Association, which brings together Grand Prix racing cars from half a century, from the 1920s to the 1960s. Meanwhile, the more modern formula cars from the 1990s to the 2010s provide a spectacle in the BOSS GP. The Lurani Trophy is a playground for Formula Junior, one of the most successful and popular junior formula classes of the past century.
Fans of the legendary Deutschen Rennsport-Meisterschaft (DRM), the “old” Deutsche Tourenwagen-Meisterschaft (DTM) and the Super-Tourenwagen-Meisterschaft (STW) will reminisce at the races of the Touring Car “Golden Era” and the “DRM – Revival”. Once again this year, numerous full-throttle heroes of those days, such as Altfrid Heger, Olaf Manthey, Roland Asch, Kris Nissen, Harald Grohs and Kurt Thiim, will be on the grid. The ADAC Prototype Cup Germany represents the modern era with its current LMP3 racing cars. Licensed by the Le Mans organizer ACO, four different chassis from the manufacturers ADESS, Duqueine, Ginetta and Ligier are represented. The 950 kg prototypes are powered by an approximately 450 hp V8 unit engine from Nissan.
LEGENDS AT THE START: MASTERS HISTORIC RACING
To the delight of the fans, the British guests from “Masters Historic Racing” are also back on the grid after a one-year break due to schedule issues. Four racing series from the Masters package will do the honors in Hockenheim. The Masters Racing Legends for 1966 to 1985 F1 Cars are fully dedicated to the glory of the 3-liter V8 engine era around its most famous representative, the Cosworth DFV. Developed in the 1967 season for the ridiculous price of 100,000 pounds to save the many traditionally financially tight private teams, the wonderful-sounding “Cossie” became the most successful engine in Formula 1 history. 155 Grand Prix victories and 12 drivers’ world championship titles speak for themselves. Graham Hill, Jackie Stewart, Jochen Rindt, Emerson Fittipaldi, James Hunt, Mario Andretti, Alan Jones, Nelson Piquet and Keke Rosberg – they were all powered by a Cosworth DFV on their way to racing Olympus.
The Masters Le Mans 90s+ are the stage for the more modern prototypes and GT racers built between 1995 and 2017. This is where the sports cars that have made history in the endurance classics of Le Mans, Daytona and Sebring, among others, will compete. The Masters Pre-66 Touring Cars and Masters Gentlemen Drivers for touring cars and GT vehicles built up to 1966 are now united in one starting field. Famous names such as Aston Martin, Jaguar, Porsche, Ferrari, Morgan, Chevrolet, Austin-Healey, Ford, Lotus, BMW and many more make experts snap their tongues.
WALK THROUGH THE PADDOCK
There will be a lot for the many expected fans to see, hear, smell, photograph and film. The ADAC Hockenheim Historic sees itself as a horsepower festival by racing enthusiasts for racing enthusiasts. Barriers do not fit in with this philosophy: the paddock and the pits are freely accessible to fans. The supporting program with many exhibitions – including the traditional Jim Clark exhibition – a large exhibitors’ market, the popular “Markenclub”, the ADAC Erlebniswelt, special guided tours and autograph sessions will also thrill visitors.
