Event date: May 8-10, 2026<\/p>\n
As the long winter draws to a close, this is good news not only for the local flora and fauna, but also for motorsport fans: the ADAC Hockenheim Historic \u2013 The Jim Clark Revival, taking place from 8 to 10 May 2026, is one of the first highlights of the season at the Hockenheimring.<\/p>\n
The event has evolved from a niche event for die-hard purists into a genuine motor racing festival: For the 20th edition of the Jim Clark Revival last year, more than 45,000 spectators flocked to the Motodrom in Baden over the three days of the event to indulge in the unadulterated pleasure of the sights, sounds and smells of glorious days of racing. When one thinks of major European classic car events, Goodwood and the ADAC Hockenheim Historic spring to mind first.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s edition of the Jim Clark Revival, which as always is dedicated to the memory of the two-time Formula 1 world champion who died in a fatal accident at the Hockenheimring on 7 April 1968, also offers an attractive and varied programme. Twelve racing series with around 500 participants are set to take part over the second weekend in May, with a focus this year on touring cars and sports cars.<\/p>\n
The DRM Revival and the Touring Car Golden Era are absolute crowd-pullers. Here you\u2019ll find the powerful racing cars of the legendary German Racing Championship (DRM), as well as the classic touring cars from the \u2018old\u2019 DTM and the Super Touring Car Championship (STW). The Golden Era Classic Cup further enhances the event with an exclusive line-up of historically significant Porsche vehicles, bringing the technical evolution of the Zuffenhausen-based brand to life in a striking way. And it is not just the cars that captivate the fans. In recent years, crowd favourites such as Altfrid Heger, Olaf Manthey, Roland Asch, Kris Nissen, Harald Grohs and Kurt Thiim have also repeatedly taken the wheel of one of their former race cars.<\/p>\n
Making its debut and a real highlight of the event is the Class 1 Revival powered by CARBON. Long-standing fans will recall the legendary battles on the tarmac between big names in the high-tech, 500-horsepower racers from Alfa Romeo, Mercedes-Benz and Opel during the 1994 to 1996 seasons. After a veritable explosion in costs led to the demise of the \u2018old\u2019 Class 1, the DTM was reborn in 2000 \u2013 with technically simpler, but no less impressive V8 cars from Audi, Mercedes and Opel. BMW returned to the DTM in 2012, and in 2019 the series switched from classic naturally aspirated engines to turbocharged ones. Aston Martin joined the series in the same year. At the end of the 2020 season, Class 1 was unfortunately scrapped for good.<\/p>\n
However, numerous race cars from that era still exist and will be on display at the ADAC Hockenheim Historic \u2013 such as one fielded by Team Rosberg in 1995. Or a 1993 BMW E36, driven by touring car legend Armin Hahne. The \u2018new\u2019 DTM is represented by several cars from Audi, Opel and Mercedes. A 2020 BMW M4 represents the modern turbo era of Class 1, whilst the 1994 Ford Mustang V8 represents rather the opposite.<\/p>\n
But fans of classic formula racing will also find plenty to enjoy at the ADAC Hockenheim Historic. Among the event\u2019s \u2018regulars\u2019 is the Historic Racecar Association, which competes for the \u2018ADAC Graf Berghe von Trips Cup\u2019 with its formula cars from a wide variety of classes, thereby commemorating Wolfgang Graf Berghe von Trips, the Rhinelander who was killed in a fatal accident at the 1961 Italian Grand Prix in Monza. The BOSS GP is the playground for the more modern formula cars from the 1980s right through to the 2000s.<\/p>\n
With the Lurani Trophy and the DMV Formula Vau, the programme also features tributes to two of the most successful and popular junior formula classes of the last century. Whilst the Lurani Trophy serves as a gathering place for Formula Junior, Formula Vau is regarded as one of the most ingenious ideas of former Porsche racing director Huschke von Hanstein. What began in 1965 with 34 hp and tubular-frame chassis from Beachcar and Formcar that resembled bathtubs developed over the years into sophisticated monoposts, which, with their water-cooled 1600cc engines from the Passat\/Golf\/Scirocco series, achieved up to 180 hp. The Formula Vau success story came to an end in 1982. What both categories have in common is the fact that they produced countless big names, including several Formula 1 world champions such as Jochen Rindt, Niki Lauda and Keke Rosberg.<\/p>\n
Raceclub Germany will be represented by an impressive selection of classic Grand Prix, Formula and sports cars, showcasing pure passion for motorsport. As a further highlight, Team FNT will be presenting a selection of high-performance cars, including Formula 1 cars from the 2000s, as part of special demonstration runs.<\/p>\n
Alongside the historic racing classes at the ADAC Hockenheim Historic, there will once again be a leap into the modern era this year. The Gebhardt Ginetta Nordic Championship, which is making its German debut at the event, is an ideal springboard for all young drivers looking to move up to the higher GT classes \u2013 but that\u2019s not all: A certain Lando Norris also earned his first spurs back home in Britain in a Ginetta G40. The compact, 850-kilogram GT sports car features a body made entirely of fibreglass and a 165-horsepower engine from Ford. All cars are technically identical, with sealed engines and gearboxes, meaning that driving ability alone is the deciding factor.<\/p>\n
In addition, the VELOM Watches Sportscar Supercup supported by Interwetten SCC will be on the grid \u2013 an attractive platform for GT and sports cars that thrills with thrilling battles and a mix of different makes.<\/p>\n
The ADAC Hockenheim Historic \u2013 The Jim Clark Revival offers more than just a fantastic programme on the race track. The activity area by the East Stand will become a meeting place for numerous brand clubs on Saturday and Sunday, whilst the ADAC Experience Zone will delight young and old alike with a wide range of attractions and hands-on activities. The Congress Pavilion will host an exclusive special exhibition featuring numerous original exhibits relating to Jim Clark and Team Lotus. The pit roof is once again being transformed into a versatile experience area: across 4,000 square metres, visitors can explore numerous stands and exhibitions. Special guided tours offer a glimpse behind the scenes. And anyone strolling through the paddock is sure to bump into one or two big names from the world of motorsport. As is tradition, requests for autographs or photos are happily obliged.<\/p>\n