F1 Historic Racing
The Great Historic F1 Race at Hockenheim -- 2008
By Jaroslav Vehrle
Photos © Jaroslav Vehrle
February 23, 2008 – The last weekend of April a great event was held for all lovers of motor racing, especially Formula One, at Hockenheim in Germany. The circuit is 4.574 m – see details at picture no. 1. Besides this historic racing event there was also Kimi Räikkönen´s accident with his tyre in last lap during race held there in 2004 there. Most people can remember the very sad tire explosion that took him from certain victory as well as needed points into his driver chapmionship in 2004.

This was the other historic race event organised by ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg Motor Sport. This one was a little different from a few before. The main reason was, that this event was also dedicated to 75th anniversary of the circuit itself insteadof the classic memory of Jim Clark, that´s why it was officially called “Jim Clark – Revival“ again. Both famous icons were possible to see on billboards, posters, T-shirts and even accreditation card – see picture no. 2.

It is generally known that Jim Clark was the best driver in the 60´s in the best Team Lotus, which was managed by genius Colin Chapman. Some people say he was the best F1 driver ever, which means he could have been better than Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost or Michael Schumacher. It is a hard comparation, because every decade had different conditions as well as team competitors. Jim Clark won driver championships in 1963 and 1965. Huge sorrow took from him the opportunity to gain another title in 1964, when he was hit in GP in Mexico with only a few laps to go. It was said, it had been done on purpose to get the title for Ferrari. Although nobody can change the history these kind of accidents should not have happened and should not happen anymore.

Described F1 historic racing event took the title of Jim Clark revival, because Hockenhim was the circuit where he was killed during a race. It happened on 7. April 1968 near woods, but it was not an F1 race, as might have been expected. This sad crash came during a race in F2 and one of the famous F1 driver passed away forever. Unfortunately no camera was able to catch this accident, that´s why the cause as well as any pictures will be eternally hidden from all of us. A monument to his memory was built near doom corner, where the accident happened. This memorial was attended by a lot of people who visited during this  F1 historic weekend. Among them was also Colin Chapman´s son Clive who leads Classic Team Lotus, which was running at the same event too as well as at a lot of other F1 historic races in the past. Clive put flowers on the monument for Jim Clark´s memory – see picture no. 3. This place was also attended by Jaroslav Vehrle from the Fan-Club F1 in the Czech republic, who regularly visits TGP races in Europe – see picture no. 4. He also loves Team Lotus, admires his establishor Colin Chapman and creates huge support for Lotus trademark through a lot of activities.

Both of them (Clive and Jaroslav) have known each other for a long time and meet regularly at similar events. Jaroslav Vehrle and Clive Chapman also met at this great historic F1 event at Hockenheim circuit again – see picture no. 5. Clive also helped him by some support in making paper models and confirmed official approval for type 72D. The relationship between them is very clear and they greet to each other when they meet anywhere.

Anyway, back to recent events. The organizers divided racing cars into a few various levels. The best of all these, as well as the most anticipated by spectators was the F1 category. During the whole weekend it was possible to watch following different races.  

The best show was FIA Championship for Thoroughbred Grand Prix cars known as TGP, which are older F1 cars in original livery and with original engines. Thas year it was the 1st race and opened a new TGP Championship. A regular gem was the Classic Team Lotus, which is operated by Clive Chapman, the son of the late Colin Chapman, who keeps the tradition - see picture no. 6. Classic Team Lotus has been restoring various Lotus racing cars and especially prepares cars for historic races in TGP. They took Lotus Type 91-10, which was the last full Colin Chapman design, for its driver Dan Collins. The other type was the Lotus 49 – see picture no. 7.

The professional services are thanks to two ex-Team Lotus employees Nick Yallop and Chris Dinnage. This is a very special type from Team Lotus, which was possible to see there, a type 88B with twin-chassis – see picture no. 8. The rear part of the car including longer side pots were an unusual Chapman´design – see picture no. 9.

Some F1 cars are regularly at most TGP races, that´s why any spectator was much happier when he was able to catch a new one. Hockenheim presented a great surprise, because it was possible to see very famous F1 cars for the first time. Among historic F1 cars that were available for fans to see the following cars: Wolf WR 1, Brabham BT 50, Lotus 72, Lola Embassy Hill, the Williams, which was tested by the famous Ayrton Senna – see picture no. 10, Surtees TS 16 Olufsen, Alfa Romeo 179. Most of them attended TGP races in the past at other Europian circuits, because they regularly race at various historic events. Also, it was possible to see a new historic car, which came there for the first time. It was very nice March from the 70´s driven originally by Arturo Merzario – see picture no. 11.

Among other relatively more modern F1 cars were a very nice Minardi 186, Benetton B192, which did not finish its race – see picture 12, and a very famous Jordan EJ 197. This car comes from 1997 when Ralf Schumacher and Giancarlo Fisichella were driving it. It was interesting with its snake on the front part – see picture no. 13.

It is not common to see any Ferrari at TGP but Hockenheim was the exception. Thanks to Barron Racing a Ferrari car was presented there. John Bosch drove his traditional Ferrari T3/035 – see picture no 14, which was originally driven by Gilles Villeneuve, who was killed in 1982 at the end of qualification for the Belgium Grand Prix. In 2006 it was possible to see other Ferrari types built between 1994 and 2000. All Ferrari lovers must have been impressed by the whole collection. There were even  famous types which were driven by Michael Schumacher in successive final years. The whole team was wearing original suits and a few of them were people from the team in the 70s, 80s and 90s.

Among regular Lotus on the grid at TGP was 87B/3 driven by Nico Bindels. It is said that this car is possibly one of the three which was rebuilt from the famous twin-chassis 88B’s overnight at Silverstone in 1981, after these cars were banned from the practice session. The other interesting thing was that his chief mechanic was similar to real Colin Chapman – see picture no 15.

The other racing categories except F1 cars were Turing cars + GT, Single seaters, Sportcars, Recaro Formel 3 Cup, FIA-GTC + FIA-TC 1965-1976, FIA-Lurani Trophy, CFFC Formula Ford, Shell Ferrari historic Challenge, Orwell Supersports Cup, European F1 Club. Among Recaro Formel 3 Cup was hidden famous driver, who was Ho-Pin Tung, but he did not drive this time – see picture no. 16. He comes from China and he is the only one, who was testing real F1 car. There is a hope he would be able to enter F1 as the first driver from China. We will see. All these racing categories brought very interesting experiences for all lovers of speed.

This was not all the interesting events taking place. Hockenheim prepared three other great events, which spectators were able to enjoy a lot. The first one was invitation of official Lotus dealer called Autohaus Haese from Germany. This dealer organised its great presentation as well as displaying each car from Lotus production line including type Europe S – see picture no. 17 and type 12. The exhibition was held direct above the pits, where all spectators could easily access them and were able to see each car very close up. It was even possivle to get in the cars. It was not possible to miss classic type Elise in typical bright color – see picture no. 18. It was a pity, there were not Lotus club Germany as last year there, which is led by Hugo Schneider.    Spectators were able to see various nice Lotus types too, which took the spirit of Colin Chapman. Among Lotus cars were type 7, Elan, Europe, Elise and Esprite. Elise was not seen in its typical blue color there, but the colour suits it. Famous type Esprite was not to be missed there too. This car was used for famous films called “Pretty woman“ and “Basic instinct“. I personally liked the yeallow version of this car. Maybe some of them will come here in 2008 again.

The second one was an attempt to break a record enshrined in the Guinness book. The sense of this record was to drive as many cars on the circuit as possible. It meant that all historic cars attending the Jim Clark Revival went out on the track and were driven minimum one lap – see picture no. 19. Althought the number was huge, it was not successful because of fewer cars that were needed. The whole number of cars which drove in the track was only about 16 fewer but it was not enought to break the record. This is still kept for challenge in the future. Maybe the organizers will try to do it in 2008 again, which will be another reason to come and see it by many lovers of motosport accross Europe.

The third event was the possibility to see an exclusive car probably one of the  oldest ones in the world, because it was produced in 1898. This car was called De Dion Bouton and comes from France – see picture no 20. Its owner was driving for three days on the road to Hockenheim. It must have been a horrible journey, but so exciting. Fuel consumption was 30 litres for each 100 kilometres.

Women as well as men were able to enjoy a special exhibition there too. During the whole weekend there was a great fashion show at a local stage - see picture 21 . All was presented by company Orwell, which also supports historic racing cars. Even its owner regularly races in a chosen category.

The whole weekend was full of various races and a lot of spectators came into the pits to see the cars up close. Most of them took pictures of chosen cars and enjoyed seeing the mechanics in action. History stopped for a while, which is a rare event in motor racing. The modern era of F1 is too closed in, and that is why it is not possible to be within close proximity to either the cars or the drivers. This is such a rare event that it attracts many spectators to this historic race from all over the world. Most visitors, including myself, are looking forward to being there again and enjoying the chance to see these beautiful cars so close. Let’s come to Hockenheim again. The organizers will prepare another great historic racing weekend for you. Then you too will be able to see historic F1 cars, sport cars or any objects in F1 team livery, for example like this lorry in livery of Team Lotus F1 – see picture no. 22.

Finally, I would like to give special thanks to Elizabeth Shaw from Canada for helping with releasing this article in the Canadian magazine, RFM Sports, to Antony Hayes from England from British Racing Green, and even from Team Lotus for correcting grammar, and to Clive Chapman, Nick Yallop and Chris Dinnage from Classic Team Lotus for regularly welcoming me to their pits as well as sharing enthusiasm and huge interview about Team Lotus and Colin Chapman, and finally to staff from Hockenheim circuit for swift providing results as well as delicious refreshments!

I would like to thank ADAC Eurospeedway circuit at Hockenheimring, for their great cooperation with provided accreditation, swift results at media centre and a pleasant experience all around. Concerning provided accreditation I especially appreciated the help of Mr. Hartmuth Tesseraux and Wolfgang Huter. I hope to continue this cooperation in the future.