2024 Historic Motorsport Season Set to Kick Off in Europe

By Marcel Hundscheid / Speed-O-Graphica

Historic motorsport remains immensely popular and the number of visitors who find their way to the sport is growing every year. Fans are eagerly awaiting the start of the season in Europe, which kicks off over April and May with the Spa Summer Classic and Hockenheim Historic Jim Clark Revival.

Spa Summer Classic

This year the Spa Summer Classic, which was previously held in June, opens the season over the last weekend of April. From April 25th to 28th, fans of historic touring cars and GTs can indulge themselves during the sixteenth edition of this renowned event.

The emphasis during the Spa Summer Classic is on vintage cars from the 1960s to 2000. The highlight is the Spa 3 Hours for touring cars and GTs from before 1976. Traditionally, just like during the Spa Six Hours, refuelling takes place at the fuel pumps on the circuit. The starting list includes no fewer than 71 cars, including Lotus Elan, TVR, Porsche 911, Ford Mustang, Jaguar E-Type and many others.

Another crowd-puller during the Spa Summer Classic is the presence of the Tourenwagen Legends from Germany. The championship is dedicated to the famous touring cars and GTs from the 1970s to 1990s, with an emphasis on the DTM cars of the time. Former DTM champion Klaus Ludwig will be at the start, alongside former DTM and Formula 1 driver Christian Danner and the Belgian Eric van de Poele.

The program also includes the Belcar Historic Cup, Youngtimer Touring Car Challenge, Supersixties by NKHTGT, Reco NK GTTC & Triumph Competition & British HTGT, CSCC Interseries and Historic Championship ’65 and ’81. The event is open to the public free of charge.

Hockenheim Historic – Jim Clark Revival

From May 3rd to May 5th, the ADAC Hockenheim Historic – Jim Clark Revival takes place at the Hockenheimring, traditionally the season opener of the historic motorsport season in Germany. The event is being held for the 19th time and has a big bill for fans of historic motorsport.

This year’s highlights are the MOMO Sportscar Supercup, the DRM Revival and the Tourenwagen Golden Ara. Enthusiasts of former Group C and IMSA prototypes can enjoy, among others, the Porsche 962C (962-001 BM) that returns to the racing asphalt after a multi-year restoration.

The presence of the DRM Revival, the historic motorsport championship for Group 5 cars shines with, among others, four Zakspeed Ford Capri Turbos, three BMW M1s Gr. 5, a BMW 2002 Gr. 5, BMW 320 Gr. 5, Porsche 934/5, Porsche 935 K3 and more. The touring car mania is completed with the presence of Tourenwagen Golden Era, a tribute to touring cars from the DRM championship between 1971 and 1985, DTM cars from the period between 1984 and 1996 and STW cars from 1993-1999.

The program also includes the super-fast single-seaters from the BOSS GP Series, Formula Junior, Historic Formula Vee, the Historic Racecar Association and Raceclub Germany.

Tickets can be ordered online here.

Spa Classic

The Spa Classic, organised by Peter Auto is one of the most renowned historic motorsport events in Europe. From May 17th until May 19th, legendary historic race cars will gather at Spa-Francorchamps for the 12th time, including Le Mans prototypes and GTs from the sixties and seventies, prototypes from the Group C era to touring cars that dominated the 1970s. In addition, prototypes and GTs that appeared during the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the 1990s and 2000s will be abundant.

Peter Auto goes big with all available grids from their portfolio, including the 2.0L Cup for Porsche 911s from the sixties, Classic Endurance Racing, the Classic Touring Challenge, Endurance Racing Legends, Group C Racing, Heritage Touring Cup, Sixties Endurance and The Gentlemen Challenge. For three days, young and old can have fun with the racing cars from a bygone era. Among the many highlights are the qualifying and sunset races with Group C, Sixties Endurance and the touring cars from the Heritage Touring Cup in tribute to the 24 Hours of Spa.

The highlight of the weekend will be an exhibition dedicated to the Porsche 917. 917K, 917 LH and 917 CanAm. Almost a dozen chassis will be on show, as well as some of the drivers who have played a part in its legend.

Tickets for this not to be missed event can be found online here.

Nürburgring Classic

The Nürburgring Classic, the authentic successor to the inaugural race in 1927, will be held from May 24 to 26. More than 800 participating historic cars, divided over 22 series, will make their appearance on the grand prix circuit and the Nordschleife.

Fans of historic motorsport can look forward to the arrival of the BOSS GP Series and the Tourenwagen Golden Era, touring cars and GTs from the Youngtimer Trophy. The lightest and perhaps smallest touring cars can be found in the Battle of the Dwarfs, while historic Formula Ford and Formula 3 cars find their way to the starting grid in Historic Monoposto Racing. Endurance race enthusiasts will be treated to a 90-minute race from the Historic Championship ’81.

Tickets for this unique event can be ordered here.

We are looking forward to heading out to all of these events to enjoy the action and put together coverage to share with you here. Put them in your diaries and enjoy the start to 2024’s historic motorsport season in Europe.