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The White Elephant returns to the Nürburgring

Fritz and Hans von Opel won the first race at the Nürburgring, held in 1922. But the most famous pre-war event took place in 1927, when Rudolf Caracciola led a powerful Mercedes-Benz SSK to victory, known as the White Elephant for its speed and the bellow of its compressor.

The organizing body of the first editions was the ADAC, which is the same German automobile club that continues to organize them today.

With such extensive experience, difficult to match in the matter, both the participants and the spectators expect an impeccable organization when attending the prestigious event each year. And they are not disappointed.

Jochen Mass with three Mercedes SSKs.
Jochen Mass with two Mercedes SSK

In the 2013 program of the ADAC-Eifelrennen, For the classic races scheduled for June 14-16, numerous categories attracted the attention of thousands of viewers, including:

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→ Elefantenrennen, or Elephant Race, for vehicles from the period 1900 to 1940;

→ Porsche Kremer, for Porsche 911 that have been related to the famous racing team;

→ ADAC Trophy Graf Berghe von Trips, single-seaters from 1600 to 2000 cc;

→ Group C, Group C prototypes, such as Nissan R90CK, Porsche 962 and Sauber-Mercedes C11;

→ Historic Formula 3 vehicles;

→ Dunlop Trophy for cars from the sixties;

→ ADAC-Eifelrennen, 3-hour endurance race, Jan Wellem Trophy.

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Among the hundreds of participants from various European countries, Spanish teams were missing, of which none were present.

A 1 BMW M1981 reveals its prototype soul
A 1 BMW M1981 reveals its prototype soul

A little history

A small historical paragraph is needed on the Nürburgring Circuit, devised by Cologne businessmen in the XNUMXs to solve unemployment problems and to develop the region economically after World War I. The available local roads that crossed the Eifel natural park were used, and in successive years the circuit was endowed with the necessary structures: a closed park, boxes, grandstands, a control tower and an incipient hotel and spectator reception network.

The circuit consisted of two clearly distinguishable sections: the Nordschleife, or northern zone (north loop) and the Südschleife, or southern zone. The route was one of the longest in the world, exceeding 22 kilometers long.

After Niki Lauda's accident in 1976, considered dangerous for Formula 1 and prototype racing. The construction of a new circuit adjacent to and communicating with the old one was then undertaken.

Porsche 962 in its box
Prototypes like this Porsche 962 no longer run on the old Nurburgring

Since then, the F-1 Grand Prix and higher category competitions take place on the new track, while the Nordschleife is reserved not only for historical events, but also for intermediate category competitions.

The reader will be able to appreciate in the vintage photographs in the organizer's archives how the circuit has changed since the XNUMXs. However, the structure and appearance of the old boxes is still faithfully preserved, after extensive restoration work.

El ADAC-Eifelrennen It is one of the most important classic car events currently taking place on the old circuit, together with the AvD Oldtimer Grand Prix, which takes place in September and which we will have the opportunity to talk about in due course.

David Coulthard (in black) with Mercedes-Benz 220S
David Coulthart tunes up his Mercedes "Colas" before the three-hour endurance race

ADAC-Eifelrennen 2013

Arriving at the Nürburgring in the middle of the weekend of activities and competitions that are chained with a few minutes of interval produces an initial disorientating effect, because you do not know where to turn.

In order not to get into the dynamics of running from one side to the other, which would become an exhausting exercise since the distances are considerable, it is appropriate that the spectator is provided with a program with the schedules of the planned races. One complete with lists of entries, categories and times is offered at the access ticket offices at the price of 6 euros.

From the old Fahrerlager, the square where the boxes were located before the war, the modern circuit and its considerable facilities are accessed through a tunnel that passes under the track. At its exit is one of the most curious relics of the circuit.

The Nürburgring wall marks the passage from the old to the new circuit
The wall (and mural) of the Nürburgring marks the passage from the old to the new circuit

It is a large wall map on which the names of the drivers who have distinguished themselves throughout the history of the Nürburgring have been engraved. There are not only those of the Formula 1 grand prix winners, but also those who participate in other specialties. A curious surprise is to find names like Antonio Albacete. Angel Nieto's and, naturally, Fernando Alonso's, are also immortalized in the mural.

The Fahrerlager is the headquarters of the pre-war cars, with their equipment, tools and mechanics, leaving the modern facilities for prototypes and youngtimers; But the visit to both areas has the same incentives, both for those who are content to walk among the vehicles and for the spectators more interested in following the development of the races.

An authentic Fiat 500 Abarth from Manfred Beckers
An authentic Fiat 500 Abarth, by Manfred Beckers

WHITE ELEPHANTS AND ENDURANCE

One of the main attractions of the Eifelrennen It is constituted by the start of the Elephant Race, in the style of the 24 hours of Le Mans, in which the pilots run across the track to start the engines of the cars parked in battery on the opposite side.

Among the participants in this category we find the White Elephant par excellence, a 1928 Mercedes-Benz SSK prepared by the Mercedes classic car division and reserved for Jochen Mass. Other Mercedes-Benz SSK 710s also left in the same row, sharing the land with European brands such as Bugatti, Bentley, Alfa Romeo, Riley, Alvis or Veritas; and American ones like Buick or the lesser known Graham Indianapolis.

The most important race that attracts the largest number of participants is the three-hour endurance race, in which former Formula 1 drivers were enrolled, such as David Coulthard - at the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz 220S and which endured a massive signing of autographs-, or Jürgen Barth, authority in the world of Porsche and winner of the 24 hours of Le Mans.

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Credit: Youtube channel Eifeler888, on the mythical German circuit

The fastest and winner of the Jam Wellem Trophy was Daniel Schrey, at the controls of a Porsche 935K1. Jürgen Barth qualified third in a Porsche 934-5 and welcomed this chronicler into his box, agreeing to pose for some photos.

As did the Danish driver Peter Iversen, proud of his Porsche Carrera 6.

Unlike the other exit grills which are naturally closed to the public for safety reasons, spectators are allowed to freely access the grid of this endurance race. The deference of the organizer is much appreciated, and traditionally the spectators invade the heart of the starting line of the Formula 1 circuit, being able to walk, take photos, talk with the drivers and mechanics and attend the preparations of the cars in the foreground. they have to compete.

The three-hour race takes place on the longest route of the Nürburgring, which is obtained by connecting the modern Formula 1 circuit with the old Nordschleife track, being possible to follow the race either from the modern stands or in the middle of the forest in the places in which it is possible to approach the old circuit.

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Credit: Youtube Channel Green Hell Videos in Full HD, also on the Green Hell

TEAM KREMER, GROUP C AND MORE

It is not surprising that the Porsche brand has a predilection for the Nürburgring circuit, not only to test new models off the production chain, but also to compete with its historical rivals BMW or Mercedes. One of the private teams that has distinguished itself the most in preparing and competing with the brand's vehicles, in particular derivatives of the 911 but also those fitted with front engines such as the 928 and 944, is the Kremer Racing team.

A starting grid reserved solely for Porsches with a connection to the Kremer team lined up no less than 61 participants, where RS and RSR abounded, painted in the colors of the best-known sponsors.

The Group C race was won by Briton Gareth Evans in his Sauber-Mercedes C11, car that readers of The Escudería already know (see article about Spa Classic), demonstrating greater reliability and speed than its pursuers aboard no less spectacular 962 Porsches.

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Credit: Youtube Channel GT-Eins Sportscars Racing Videos, mainly on Nürburgring and Spa Francorchamps

Small-displacement cars also have a chance to confront each other at the Nürburgring. The category 'Kampf der Zwerge'. With the appropriate title of Fight of the Dwarfs, the circuit opens up to modest teams that participate with great enthusiasm aboard the Fiat Abarth 1000TC, its little brother Abarth 595SS, Mini Cooper, Inocenti, NSU TT and others that do not exceed the displacement of 1300 cc. It is worth noting the participation of a 600 Seat 1969D, aligned by the German Ingmar Koschnick, who shows that with few financial means you can live the adventure of the great European events.

Finally, although generally in Spain we tend to value foreign brand vehicles more, it is gratifying to see that nationally manufactured cars are beginning to find deserved recognition outside our borders. In this way, I will highlight a beautiful Alpine-Renault 1400 manufactured by FASA in 1977, in an impeccable state of conservation, which frequented the interior of the circuit reserved for club meetings.

Alfred Keller brought his flawless 1977 Alpine FASA to the Nürburgring
FASA Renault-Alpines are highly appreciated in Europe

An uncertain future

The expansion works, new facilities, hotels, casinos, indoor karting track, museum, cinema and shops that took place a few years ago at the Nürburgring have jeopardized the initial idea of ​​its creators to boost the economy in the region, since the lack of frequentation during the winter months has produced a significant deficit that has led to the bankruptcy of the management company.

Needing around 400 million euros to clean up its accounts (in which the federal state of North Rhine-Wesphalia participates) and the European Commission having refused to come to its aid, the future of the Nürburgring is uncertain. However, the next Formula 1 German Grand Prix will take place as planned in July - although Bernie Ecclestone was asking for compensation of 16 million euros, an unofficial figure, which apparently has been satisfied.
 
 

 
 

Full-size images (1.000 px. Approx.)


 
 

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Written by mario laguna

Mario Laguna, author of the book "The Pegaso Adventure", scholar and observer of the history of motor racing, brands and characters. Regular visitor to automobile competitions, whether of current or historical categories, international contests of elegance, lecturer ... Read more

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