The BELMOT Oldtimer-Grand-Prix has given an all-round positive assessment of its 53rd edition: in glorious summer weather, 43,000 spectators flocked to the Nürburgring from Friday to Sunday – significantly more than last year. Strong starting line-ups packed with legendary racing cars, new programme features and numerous high-profile drivers ensured a weekend that was as thrilling as it was varied. Partners and organisers were also highly satisfied.
From pre-war racing cars and Formula 1 cars to sports cars, GTs and touring cars, right through to more recent prototypes, the BELMOT Classic Car Grand Prix covered a wide spectrum over the three days. Well-filled grandstands, a hive of activity in the paddocks and a great response to the supporting programme characterised the weekend.
Tried-and-tested highlights with strong starting line-ups
Once again, one of the highlights was the evening race featuring two-seater racing cars and GTs built up to 1965, which offered an endurance racing atmosphere at dusk. Illuminated hot-air balloons and fireworks brought the racing Saturday to an atmospheric close. Hubertus Graf Dönhoff, on whose initiative the later Oldtimer Grand Prix was established in the 1970s, once again organised this highlight of the racing programme. He is optimistic about the future of historic motorsport: “I am particularly pleased that the generational change is increasingly taking hold and that owners are entrusting their valuable cars to younger drivers more and more. This is exactly how historic motorsport stays alive.”
No less legendary: Many cars in the ‘Golden Era’ touring car field. This brought together numerous stars and cars from different eras. Following its debut last year, the Super Touring Revival once again boasted an outstanding line-up. Among the prominent drivers was Uwe Alzen, who had chosen the OGP for his comeback after a racing hiatus of almost four years and went on to win the very first race in his 1998 Opel Vectra STW. “This is a mega event,” said Alzen enthusiastically. “I showed friends in the USA the paddock and the many fantastic cars via livestream and told them: ‘Guys, you absolutely must come here.’ I really enjoyed the weekend.”
The Porsche Classic Cup thrilled spectators with Cup cars from various generations. The Vintage Sports Car Trophy brought numerous pre-war racing cars to the historic paddock and onto the track. Also on display was the Mercedes-Benz 680 S, in which Rudolf Caracciola won the Nürburgring’s inaugural race in 1927. A Bugatti exhibition rounded off the proceedings on Sunday. Motorcycle history was showcased by “GrabTheFlag!”, featuring motorcycling legend Helmut Dähne as guest of honour and two machines from his extraordinary career.
New formats prove an instant hit
The new additions to the circuit programme were also very well received. Formula Heritage showcased Formula history in a ‘Time-on-Track’ format, featuring, amongst others, the Embassy Hill GH1/3 driven by Alan Jones at the 1975 German Grand Prix. The Trophy Race for Ferrari Cars bridged the gap to more recent GT and supercar racing. At the Class One Revival, presented by BMW Classic, the winning BMW M3 GT2 from the 2010 Nürburgring 24 Hours was one of the highlights.
The Interwetten Sports Cars Challenge, making its debut, thrilled spectators with powerful sports cars, impressive performance and a thunderous roar. Former Formula 1 driver Christian Klien won both races in the PRC WPR66. He also raved about the event as a whole: “When I see – and, above all, hear – the old DTM cars, childhood memories immediately come flooding back. The beauty of the Oldtimer Grand Prix is that everything here is within touching distance. Everyone associates their own memories with certain cars, and we’re all here for the same reason: a passion for motorsport.”
The panel discussions organised by Schnitzer Classic were also very well received by visitors and participants alike. In memory of Herbert Schnitzer, who passed away this year, podcaster Karsten Arndt spoke with drivers and colleagues about cars and experiences spanning many decades of Schnitzer motorsport.
BELMOT remains on board until 2029
The extension of the partnership with BELMOT up to and including 2029 sent an important signal for the event’s future development. The classic car insurer has been the OGP’s title sponsor since 2024 and traditionally contributes with exciting talks, services for participants and many other features.
Roland Koch, Head of Marketing at BELMOT and Mannheimer Versicherung, said: “The OGP has proved to be an excellent community gathering for BELMOT. We have continued to develop our concept year on year – hand in hand with the organisers and in a way that benefits the entire OGP and, above all, the visitors and participants. For us, the personal conversations are what matter most.”
Wolfgang Schulz expressed his delight on behalf of the OGP organising committee: “In BELMOT, we have a partner at our side who not only understands the wishes and needs of the classic car community, but also lives and breathes them. BELMOT enriches the entire event with exciting programme highlights, high-quality services and great passion.”
The other partners also contributed to the event’s success: Junghans was once again the Official Timing Partner; in the Motor Klassik marquee, fans met numerous all-stars at autograph sessions; and Classicbid organised a car auction on Saturday at the ring°boulevard.
A very positive outcome and anticipation for 2027
Philip Bruns, Head of Organisation for the BELMOT Oldtimer Grand Prix, gave a very positive assessment on behalf of the organising consortium comprising CHRSN – Sport GmbH, Histomobil GmbH and HMSC – Wirtschafts GmbH: “Our thanks go to our partners and the management at the Nürburgring. With their support, we have delivered a race weekend that was very well received by visitors. This is evident from the many positive comments we have already received during the event.”
Next year, the BELMOT Classic Car Grand Prix will once again take place in early August. The exact date has not yet been finalised, given the plans for the Nürburgring’s 100th anniversary. Bruns said: “As the largest and most traditional classic car event at the Nürburgring, we will certainly be celebrating the 100th anniversary of this unique race track in a fitting manner.”