Photos and Report: 2013 Oldtimer Grand Prix, Nurburgring

More than 53.000 spectators found their way to the Nürburgring where the Automobilclub von Deutschland (AvD) organised the 41st edition of the Oldtimer Grand Prix. Over the weekend more than 500 historic race cars from the past nine decades could be seen in action such as Formula 1 cars, historic Grand Prix cars, Formula Junior single seaters, touring cars and GT´s. Two special highlights marked the event, the 90th anniversary of the Le Mans 24 Hours as well as the Stefal Bellof Tribute. Stefan Bellof was one of Germay´s greatest racing drivers from the eighties probably best known for his record lap driving a Rothmans Porsche 956 on the legendary Nordschleife in a stunning time 6 mins 11.13 seconds. Bellof won the World Sportscar Championship in 1984. In 1984 and 1985 he competed with the Tyrrell F1 team. Stefan Bellof was tragically killed in an accident during the 1985 1000 km of Spa. From Australia, three drivers made the long trip to Germany including Don Thallon (1963 MRC Formula Junior), Scotty Taylor (1958 Cooper T58), John Davies (1958 Cooper T45) and John Rowe (1958 Cooper T45)

The AvD managed to get a large amount of race car on the track that participated in races between the fourties end eighties, from a historic grand prix car, a sports car, touring car or GT to a Formula 1 car. Besides an action packed racing programme divived over Friday, Saturday and Sunday spectators could enjoy demonstrations from BMW and Opel.

One of the largest field of racing cars over the weekend was produced by the FIA Lurani Trophy for Formula Junior Cars. The Lurani Trophy is for original Formula Junior cars built between 1958 and 1960 (Period E) and between 1961 and 1963 (Period F). Cars that want to participate in the Lurani Trophy must have been constructed in period to the specification of FIA Formula Junior. Divided into 9 different categories 38 historic single seaters equipped with tiny 1000-1100 cc engines or less found their way to the track. In the first race spectators could see a close battle between Britons David Methley (Brabham BT6) and Michael Hibberd (Lotus 27). In the end it was David Methley claiming victory just 0,7 seconds in front of his countryman Michael Hibberd. During the second race on Sunday David Methley was again in the lead but proved to be to quick for Michael Hibberd. Metlhey crossed the finish line nearly ten seconds earlier than his fellow countryman.

Formula 1 cars up to 1983 in period livery are gathered into the FIA Masters Historic F1 Championship. Fans of classic F1 cars could eat their hearts out with a full grid of no less than 24 single seaters from the golden era of Formula 1. Legendary names as Lotus, Brabham, Surtees, Tyrrell and McLaren appeared on the entry list treating the vast crowd with two spectacular sixteen laps races. Young Michael Lyons from the UK was in a class of it´s own in his RAM Williams FW07 teaching his opponents how a quick lap around the Nürburgring should be driven. He claimed two victories finishing no less than fourteen seconds quicker on Saturday during the first race. On Sunday however it was Spaniard Joaquin Folch in a former Nelson Piquet Brabham BT49C that managed to finish within three seconds of the young Briton. Michael Lyons is an experienced race driver as he participates nowadays in the International GT Open championship.

The Revival of the Deutsche Rennsportmeisterschaft 1972-1981 is one of the races that pleases the crowds year after year. Especially the final years of the former championship saw true beasts participate with Group 5 cars such as the Porsche 935, BMW M1 Turbo etc. The 41st edition of the Oldtimer Grand Prix saw no less than 33 legendary GT´s and touring cars. The DRM or German Racing Championship was a touring and sportscar racing championship, regards as the predecessor of the current DTM championship. Originally the championship started in 1972 open to Group 2 touring cars and Group 4 GTs. From 1977 the legendary Group 5 cars were allowed. As 1985 proved to be the final year the championship was renamed as Deutsche Sportwagen Meisterschaft. During the first on Saturday it was a true Porsche 935 battle between the Kremer Porsche 935 K3 of Wolfgang Kaufmann and the Scuderia M66 Porsche 935 K3 of Ralf Heisig. Kaufmann claimed a demanding victory over Heisig. On Sunday however that battle was once again fought between two 935 K3´s. Wolfgang Kaufmann managed to claim his second victory of the weekend but Daniel Schrey finished within 1.1 seconds on a second place in his Kremer Porsche 935 K3.

Two-seat race cars and GTs, built before 1960 and 1961 entertained the crowd on two occasions. On Saturday, theses series closed the programma with an 60 minute evening race. On Sunday a thirty minute race was scheduled including a classic Le Mans start. No less than 46 iconic cars filled the grid including Jaguar C-Type, Ferrari 250GT, Aston Martin DB4, different Lola´s just to name a few. On Saturday it was German Maximilian Werner claiming victory in a Ferrari 250GT SWB, in front of Alex Duncombe, a professional GT race driver from the UK. On Sunday however it was Alex Buncombe crossing the finish line first in a Jaguar C-type in front of his fellow countrymen Philip Walker and Miles Griffiths in a Lotus Eleven Le Mans.

Historic Grand Prix Cars, gathered into the British HGPCA, managed to get 31 cars to the Eifel track featuring some stunning beauties like the Scarab Offenhauser, Lotus 16, Ferrari Dino, Maserati 250 etc. The Historic Grand Prix Cars Association was formed in 1979 by a group of leading historic racing enthusiasts with cars from the 1920s to the 1960s. Philip Walker from the UK claimed victory in the first race on Saturday in his Lotus 16 368, in front of his fellow countryman Julian Bronson in a Scarab Offenhauser. The only Ferrari Dino entered for this race was driven by Briton Tony Smith claiming a third place in the first race of the weekend. During the second race on Sunday a fierce battle was fought between Philip Walker and Julian Bronson. Walker crossed the finish line first, just 0.9 seconds ahead of Bronson.

For the fans of Le Mans-style sports cars up to 1974 the FIA Masters Historic Sports Car Championship brought 31 icons to the Nürburgring featuring the Lola T70, McLaren M8C, Chevrons, different Porsches and two wonderful Alfa Romeo T33/2s. During the first race it soon turned out to be an epic battle between the McLaren M8C of Stefano Rosina and the Chevron B19 of Martin O´Connell. Jason Wright couldn’t even follow the speed of these prototypes in his Lola T70 Mk.IIIB. After 17 laps it Stefano Rosina who beat Martin O´Connell with only 0.8452 seconds. On Sunday Rosina was again the man to beat but nobody had an answer to his performance. Rosina claimed his second consecutive victory of the weekend over the Lola T70 Mk.IIIB of Jason Wright.

Classic GTs cars always attrack large crowds and the 41st edition of the Oldtimer Grand Prix wasn´t an exception. Mouth watering Jaguar E-Types, Cobra´s, Lotus Elan´s and many more gave the crowd a back in time experience with a stunning 48 cars field. Just a single race on Saturday was scheduled seeing Nissan professional race driver Alex Buncombe from the UK taking victory in Jaguar E-Type. Scotsmen Sean and Michael McInerney finished second in a TVR Griffith as Frenchma Yvan Mahe managed to take third spot in his AC Cobra.

The true oldies over the weekend came from the Pre 1940 Pre war and Vintage Sports Car Trophy. Imagine that these cars go back in time over 80 years but still they were going strong. One of the highlights was a rare Bugatti 35C driven by Martin Halusa. It was the very first time since 85 years that this type could be seen in Europe. John Ruston and Gareth Burnet drove a lonely race in their Alta Sports finishing no less than 1 minute and 35 seconds ahead of second placed Alfredo von Ketteler from Germany in a Delahaye 135S. On Sunday however it was German Josef Otto Rettenmaier in his Maserati 8C 3000 claiming victory. Alfredo von Ketteler crossed the finish line second in his Delahaye 135S as Sue Darbyshire from the UK scored a third place in her Morgan Super Aero.

Another highlight over the weekend was the BMW race first to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the legendary BMW 3.0 CSL. The unique race was open to all BMW´s developed by BMW Motorsport GmbH between 1970 and 1990. Screaming BMW M1 Group 4s, Nelson Piquet´s BMW M1 Procar as well as the ´Wirtshaus BMW M1´ in those days driven by Christian Danner, Peter Oberndorfer and Prince Leopold von Bayern claimed the Eifel race track. Another highlight was the BMW 320 Group 5 from the BMW Junior Team driven by former F1 driver Marc Surer, as well the presence of Venezolan legend Johnny Cecotto. As expected the first race was dominated by the BMW M1, but Johnny Cecotto managed to put his BMW M3 E30 between the winning M1 of Christian Traber and Hans Wagner´s mighty BMW M1 Turbo. On Sunday Hans Wagner fought a nail biting battle with Michael Kammermann in his BMW M1 Procar but after 14 laps it was Wagner crossing the finish line first just one tenth of a second ahead of Kammermann´s M1 Procar.

The AvD Tourenwagen Trophäe (Touring car Trophy) saw a nice field of historic touring cars and GTs, from the tiny Austin Mini Cooper to the big Ford Mustang. Two thirty-minute races on both Saturday and Sunday treated the crowds seeing Graham Wilson taking two victories in a Lotus Elan 26R ahead of Palle Birkelund Pedersen from Denmark in a Ginetta G4.

On Friday both the AvD-Historic Marathon as the Nürburgring Trophy were held on the legendary Nordschleife. The AvD Historic Marathon brought 44 tourings cars on the grid as the Nürburgring Trophy saw 25 participants.

© Speed-O-Graphica.com/Marcel Hundscheid

Results:

FIA Lurani Trophy for Formula Junior cars race 1:

 

1          David Methley                            Brabham BT6                      UK

2          Michael Hibberd                        Lotus 27                                UK                       + 0.753

3          Tommaso Gelmini                     Branca FJ                              IT                         + 20.608

 

FIA Lurani Trophy for Formula Junior cars race 2:

 

1          David Methley                                Brabham BT6                       UK

2          Michael Hibberd                            Lotus 27                                UK                       + 9.777

3          Manfredo Rossi di Montelera     Lotus 22                                 IT                         + 19.501

 

FIA Masters Historic F1 Championship race 1:

 

1          Michael Lyons                           RAM Williams FW07               UK

2          Steve Hartley                            Arrows A4                                   UK                       + 14.792

3          Joaquin Folch                           Brabham BT49C                        ES                       + 18.873

 

FIA Masters Historic F1 Championship race 2:

 

1          Michael Lyons                           RAM Williams FW07               UK

2          Joaquin Folch                           Brabham BT49C                        ES                       + 2.940

3          Steve Hartley                            Arrows A4                                    K                       + 3.670

 

Revival Deutsche Rennsportmeisterschaft race 1:

 

1          Porsche 935 K3                         Wolfgang Kaufmann               GER

2          Porsche 935 K3                         Ralf Heisig                                GER                    + 12.222

3          Porsche 934/5                           Christopher Stahl                    GER                    + 25.712

 

Revival Deutsche Rennsportmeisterschaft race 1:

 

1          Porsche 935 K3                         Wolfgang Kaufmann               GER

2          Porsche 935 K3                         Daniel Schrey                           GER                    + 1.126

3          Porsche 934/5                           Christopher Stahl                    GER                    + 27.236

 

2-seat race cars and GTs before 1960-61 race 1:

 

1          Ferrari 250GT SWB                    Maximilian Werner                       GER

2          Alex Buncombe                            Jaguar C-Type                                UK                       + 7.228

3          Lotus Eleven Le Mans               Philip Walker/Miles Griffiths       UK/UK                 + 53.048

 

2-seat race cars and GTs before 1960-61 race 2:

 

1          Alex Buncombe                           Jaguar C-Type                               UK

2          Lotus Eleven Le Mans               Philip Walker/Miles Griffiths    UK/UK                 + 28.984

3          Jörg Tobler                                  Lola Mk.1                                         CH                       + 1.05.334

 

Historic Grand Prix Cars race 1:

 

1          Philip Walker                             Lotus 16 368                           UK

2          Julian Bronson                         Scarab Offenhauser               UK                       + 3.543

3          Tony Smith                                Ferrari Dino                            UK                       + 21.122

 

Historic Grand Prix Cars race 2:

 

1          Philip Walker                               Lotus 16 368                            UK

2          Julian Bronson                            Scarab Offenhauser               UK                       + 0.968

3          Josef Otto Rettenmaier             Maserati 250F                         GER                    + 53.764

 

FIA Masters Historic Sports Car Championship race 1:

 

1          Stefano Rosina                         McLaren M8C                         IT

2          Martin O’Connell                    Chevron B19                            UK                       + 0.8452

3          Jason Wright                            Lola T70 Mk.IIIB                   UK                       + 56.815

 

FIA Masters Historic Sports Car Championship race 1:

 

1          Stefano Rosina                         McLaren M8C                         IT

2          Jason Wright                            Lola T70 Mk.IIIB                  UK                       + 3.424

3          John Sheldon                            Chevron B19                           UK                      + 28.246

 

Masters Gentlemen Drivers:

 

1          Alex Buncombe                              Jaguar E-Type                        UK

2          Sean & Michael McInerney         TVR Griffith                            UK                       + 16.605

3          Yvan Mahe                                       AC Cobra                                 FR                       + 55.384

 

Pre 1940 race 1:

 

1          John Ruston/Gareth Burnett       Alta Sports                               UK/UK

2          Alfredo von Ketteler                       Delahaye 135S                         GER                    + 1.35.924

3          Josef Otto Rettenmaier                 Maserati 8C 3000                   GER                    + 0.532

 

Pre 1940 race 2:

 

1          Josef Otto Rettenmaier              Maserati 8C 3000                   GER

2          Alfredo von Ketteler                   Delahaye 135S                          GER                    + 9.527

3          Sue Darbyshire                             Morgan Super Aero                UK                       + 21.143

 

BMW race 1:

 

1          Christian Traber                         BMW M1 Procar                     CH

2          Johnny Cecotto                          BMW M3 E30                         VZ                       + 1.860

3          Hans Wagner                              BMW M1 Turbo                     GER                    + 12.199

 

BMW race 2:

 

1          Hans Wagner                                BMW M1 Turbo                      GER

2          Michael Kammermann              BMW M1 Procar                     CH                       + 0.151

3          Christian Traber                          BMW M1 Procar                     CH                       + 13.953

 

AvD Tourenwagen Trophäe race 1:

 

1          Graham Wilson                            Lotus Elan 26R                     LUX

2          Palle Birkelund Pedersen          Ginetta G4                             DK                      + 4.730

3          Roger Adamsson                         Lotus Elan                             SWE                    + 18.536

 

AvD Tourenwagen Trophäe race 2:

 

1          Graham Wilson                            Lotus Elan 26R                    LUX

2          Palle Birkelund Pedersen          Ginetta G4                             DK                      + 9.604

3          Roger Adamsson                         Lotus Elan                             SWE                   + 41.349

AvD Historic Marathon:

 

1          Daniela Ellerbrock                     Alfa Romeo Giulia S               GER

Alexander Furiani                                                                          GER

2          Reinhold Gröpper                      Ford Mustang Mk.1                GER                    + 31.939

Horst Walter                                                                                   GER

3          Afschin Fatemi                          Porsche 904 GTS                      GER                    + 37.831

Georg Kaufmann                                                                             GER

 

Nürburgring Trophy:

 

1          Kersten Jodexmis                     Porsche 911 S/R                    GER

Wolfgang Destree                                                                  GER

2          Stefan Oberdörster                    Porsche 911 S                       GER                    + 51.400

Andreas Gülden                                                                     GER

3          Christian Limmer                        Porsche 911                           GER                    + 6.06.136

 

© Speed-O-Graphica.com/Marcel Hundscheid