The NBR Classic took place on the Nürburgring last Whitsun weekend. In really untypical best Eifel weather with lots of sunshine, countless classic racing cars from many decades of motorsport history were at the start.
Great races, regularity trials, and demonstration laps – like the small but very selected field of FORCE F1 Legends – created a unique mix at the legendary Ring.
The old paddock was richly filled with racing cars from the pre-war era from 1929 – 1949. 115 racing cars from England, Italy, France and of course Germany were gathered in the historic ambience of the square paddock.
Walking around this wonderful collection of historic racing cars really felt like stepping back in time. In fact, the pre-war racing cars were in very mixed condition, some looking like new which I personally don’t like that much, but most showed some age, had nice patina and the aura of the early years of racing.
Of course, these racing cars were also driven on the racetrack, some of them really fast, which I think is really courageous. After all, these cars have no seat belts and some really deep door cutouts, not to mention passive safety.
But this community of true motorsport enthusiasts is tough, and you have to be to tame these cars.
In the modern paddock behind the start and finish straight, most of the participants gathered with their slightly younger racing cars. They started in 8 different classes and sometimes the positions were fought hard wheel to wheel.
A special highlight is the so-called “Battle of the Dwarfs”. Above all, the wonderful, really fast NSU Prinz TT, but also Auto Bianchi, Simca, Fiat 500 Abarth and a beautiful Renault Alpine A110 compete against each other in a really huge field. Of course, some of them seem a bit lost on the very wide Grand Prix course , but they performed a great show.
The FORCE F1 Legends were again at the start this year, so the numerous spectators were able to observe the Formula One racing cars from the 1970s to the 1990s, especially during the already traditional grid walk, and also with the drivers or the only female driver, the wonderful Lorina McLaughlin in her ex-shoemaker Benetton B 192 from 1992, in person, take selfies and breathe in a little Grand Prix Formula One atmosphere up close, like the celebrities at the Monaco GP. The FORCE F1 Legends were completed by three wonderful Ferrari F1 racing cars from Modena Motorsport. The boss, Uwe Meissner, drove the F92A himself. The 1972 312 B2, an ex-Jacky Ickx Ferrari, was also moved very quickly.
The Nürburgring Classic have meanwhile established themselves in the calendar of historic motor sport and have become indispensable.
As every year, the organization was perfect and professional, and yet this event retains the charm of motorsport history.
I’m already looking forward to next year, hopefully with the wonderful early summer weather again. You should mark this really charming event in your calendar for next year. You have to experience the Nürburgring Classic, the variety of racing series is very unique. Hope you enjoy this photo gallery. Find out more about our photographer Ralph Lüker.
