- Legends on and off the track: The Bosch Hockenheim Historic from May 5th to 7th, 2023
- More than 500 participants in eleven different series will make the hearts of race fans beat faster
- Family-friendly prices, open paddock and a very special exhibition in black and gold
The countdown is on, preparations for the “Bosch Hockenheim Historic – The Jim Clark Revival” are turning into the final corner. This coming weekend, the Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg will once again host one of the biggest classic events in international motorsport. Racing to see, hear, smell, taste, touch, in short: to enjoy. The fact that spectators and drivers share the same passion is hardly ever as clear as here.
Around 500 participants from all over the world will captivate the numerous fans expected in eleven different series in their partly priceless historic racing cars. And all this in memory of one of the greatest this fascinating sport has ever seen, whose successes and charisma clearly resonate even 55 years after his tragic accidental death and whose name will for this reason be forever inseparable from the Hockenheimring: Jim Clark.
So it seems obvious to take a break from the thrilling action on the race track for a few moments and reminisce about the past in one of several special exhibitions.
The special exhibition on the event’s name giver promises pure nostalgia in this respect. In the congress pavilion in the middle of the paddock, Jim Clark’s great career is traced in lovingly presented memorabilia. Those who were not yet able to appreciate the influence the two-time Formula 1 world champion had and still has on motorsport will know it by the time they leave.
Special ChromeCars exhibition: Black and gold are the trump cards
The Thuringian company ChromeCars has another absolute highlight in store with the “Black & Gold Collection”. And a car enthusiast who thinks of the colours black and gold in connection with racing cars has no doubt what it’s all about: Lotus. The fact that the sports and racing car manufacturer founded in 1948 and thus 75 years ago by the unforgotten Colin Chapman is still a legend today is not least due to the six drivers’ and seven constructors’ world championship titles as well as the 79 Grand Prix victories that Lotus achieved in Formula 1 between the 1958 and 1994 seasons – but not only.
With hardly any other Formula One constructor – with the possible exception of Ferrari – triumph and tragedy have always been so close together as with Lotus. The best example, and here once again a circle closes, is Jim Clark himself. The Scot captured his world championship titles in 1963 and 1965 in a Chapman-built racing car, and he was killed in a Formula 2 Lotus on 7 April 1968.
The 18 exhibits that the team around ChromeCars founder Kai Nieklauson will bring to Hockenheim also stand for the extraordinary and eventful history of the racing car forge from Hethel. Admittedly, “Black & Gold” only came into fashion in Formula 1 in the post-Clark era, which is why the oldest piece in the collection is a Lotus 76 that made its debut in the 1974 Grand Prix season.
The other exhibits also make connoisseurs click their tongues: In addition to seven other Formula 1 cars, three of which will be in action at the Masters Racing Legends races, there are also two LMP2 prototypes, one of which can be seen on the race track as part of the Masters Endurance Legends. In addition, there will be four Esprit, Europa and Exige road-going sports cars as well as an F1 racing boat, a Lotus C01 motorbike and a Cessna 414A as Chapman once flew it.
Full programme and family-friendly ticket prices
But the main music plays at the “Bosch Hockenheim Historic – The Jim Clark Revival”, on the race track. Whether it’s the “Golden Era Touring Cars”, the four “Masters Historic Racing” categories represented at the Bosch Hockenheim, the Group C Supercup, the BOSS GP, the Raceclub Germany, the Historic Racecar Association, the Lurani Trophy for Formula Junior racers and, of course, the Historic Formula 2 – if you have a soft spot for historic motorsport, none of these racing series will leave you cold.
And if you are a racing enthusiast and also take into account the family-friendly admission prices and the completely open paddock, you really need a very special reason not to go to Hockenheim between 5 and 7 May.
Friday tickets start at 15 Euros, day tickets for Saturday and Sunday cost 35 and 30 Euros respectively. If you want to experience the entire weekend, tickets start at 49 euros. Tickets can be purchased via the online ticket shop, at the open box offices on site or at the Hockenheim ticket office.
You can find more information at: www.hockenheim-historic.de