The race program for the BELMOT Oldtimer Grand Prix 2026 is set – and it promises a weekend that showcases the full diversity of historic motorsports at the Nürburgring. From August 7 to 9, racing legends, classic car clubs, special exhibitions, and exciting show elements will come together there. On the track, the lineup ranges from pre-war vehicles to Formula cars, classic sports cars, GTs, and touring cars, all the way to modern prototypes and supercars. In addition, numerous partner promotions, brand anniversaries, and the premier brand club gathering make the BELMOT Oldtimer Grand Prix a major weekend experience for anyone who loves classic cars and racing legends. Those wishing to attend can still take advantage of discounted advance ticket sales through June 30; after that, the price for the weekend ticket will rise from 79 to 89 euros.
A highlight of the weekend are the two-seater sports cars and GTs from before 1965, whose evening race marks the highlight of the weekend. At the DRM Revival, touring car and GT fans will get their money’s worth, as they will at the Touring Car Golden Era, where DTM and ITC vehicles take center stage. As in the previous year, the Super Touring Revival—which has grown to include at least 20 race cars—features vehicles from STW & Co. With its own dedicated tent and prominent former STW drivers on the starting grid, this racing format for technically complex vehicles is a treat for touring car fans. The Classic Cup is dedicated to GTs from the world of Porsche one-make cups. In its races for front- and rear-engine vehicles, the HGPCA brings to life Formula 1 history from the early days of the premier class. The races of the FHR Historic Championship ’65 and ’81 award points toward the German Historic Automobile Championship (DAHM). The newly added Interwetten Sports Car Challenge showcases powerful sports cars and prototypes right up to the recent past. The well-established gathering of pre-war sports cars at the Vintage Sports Car Trophy offers visitors a journey back in time to the early days of the Nürburgring and plenty of track time on the Nordschleife and Grand Prix circuit for participants. The sporting program is rounded out by the Trophy Race for Ferrari Cars—an invitational race for Italian classics.
BMW M3 Anniversary Highlights a Weekend Amid Fascinating Brand Clubs
The 2026 BMW M3 anniversary will be a special highlight. To mark the sports sedan’s 40th birthday, the M3 community will also be part of the weekend: owners of a BMW M3 will have the opportunity to participate in the premier brand club gathering in the AMG Arena. Registration is available through the invited BMW clubs. This theme is complemented by the new CLASS ONE Revival, supported by BMW Classic, which brings DTM cars from the Class 1 era and later generations onto the track in a “Time on Track” presentation—including, of course, several M3s from the model’s successful racing history.
New highlights on the track
Additional new and special program items provide further variety. The Interwetten Sports Car Challenge brings prototypes and sports cars, including LMP3 vehicles, into racing action. As part of Formula Heritage, Formula race cars from the 1970s to the 1990s evoke defining eras of international single-seater racing—from junior cars in Formula BMW to former Formula 1 race cars. Dragster exhibition runs on the start-finish straight also provide spectacular sights and plenty of sound. Saturday evening traditionally serves as the emotional highlight of the weekend. The evening race opens with a Le Mans-style start demonstration, while hot-air balloons floating above the Nürburgring create a special backdrop. After the finish, fireworks bring one of the most thrilling moments of the 2026 BELMOT Classic Car Grand Prix to a close.
Tourist Trophy winner Helmut Dähne is the special guest at the Historic Motorcycles event
The historic motorcycles from Grab The Flag are also part of the program once again. They tie in with the roots of the Oldtimer Grand Prix, in which motorcycles also played a role in the early years, and will once again be on display during rides on both the Nordschleife and the Grand Prix circuit. In connection with the presentation, Helmut Dähne, a special figure in motorcycle racing, is also expected to attend. The former motorcycle world champion and Nordschleife expert represents an era in which courage, skill, and mastery of the machine took on a whole new dimension on the Eifel circuit. The historic racing machines can be found in the Historic Paddock, which also houses the Vintage Sports Car Trophy: a fitting setting for both, as the historic pit complex from the early days of the Nürburgring has already hosted many a participant’s vehicle decades ago.
Plenty to discover on the event grounds
A tour of the event grounds should also be a must for visitors to the BELMOT Oldtimer Grand Prix. On the ring°boulevard, you’ll find the Classicbid auction house, which will be putting a large selection of classic cars under the hammer on Saturday (August 8) starting at 11:00 a.m. There will also be additional offerings, exhibitors, and catering options. The historic paddock will host vintage sports cars, historic motorcycles from Grab The Flag, and—on Sunday—a fantastic display of Bugatti vehicles. The Bugatti Club Germany is celebrating its 70th anniversary and will be showcasing, among other things, a Type 32 “Tank” and the Type 59. In the Grand Prix paddock, visitors can experience teams, participants, partner activities, and the Maserati exhibition marking the brand’s anniversary. Highlights there include the booths of the event’s namesake, BELMOT, as well as media partner Motor Klassik and official timing partner Junghans. A special area will also feature a treat marking Maserati’s 100th anniversary. Among the vehicles on display there is a Maserati 26 M—the first series of race cars to bear the Maserati name in 1916.