Eifelrennen Explained

The Eifelrennen was an annual motor race, organised by ADAC Automobile Club from 1922 to 2003, held in Germany's Eifel mountain region.Like other races of its time it was first held on public roads. In 1927 it was moved to the newly-built Nürburgring.

History

Starting from 1922, the first races were held on a 33 km long combination of public roads around Nideggen, Wollersheim, Vlatten, Heimbach, Hasenfeld and other villages in the Eifel mountains, similar to the Targa Florio which was a very important race at that time, and popular in Germany due to two wins by Mercedes (still without Benz then).

In 1922, all vehicles were allowed, cars, motorbikes, and even bicycles with supporting engines. Over 100 entrants showed up to compete in the 10-lap event. The track was not paved, and muddy after heavy rains. From 1924 to 1926, the races for 2 and 4 wheels were held on separate days, and classes were introduced. Still, several fatal accidents happened. Even spectator stands collapsed, caused by stormy weather.

The unsatisfying safety situation led to the construction of the Nürburgring circuit in that area, which was inaugurated on Saturday, 18 June 1927 by the 5. Eifelrennen weekend, starting with motorcycle races. On Sunday, Rudolf Caracciola won the first car race on a Mercedes-Benz S.

The Südschleife was used instead of the Nordschleife from 1928 until 1931 and from 1958 until 1968.

The connection between the motorcycle and car races was discontinued in 1974, when organisers, drivers and German motorcycle Grand Prix riders disagreed on the best way to make the track safe for both kinds of racing – with straw bales or without? As a result, international contenders for the motorcycle World Championships boycotted the races, leaving the GP wins to rather unknown Germans (even to German fans) who decided to ride anyway.

After the modern Grand Prix track was built at the Nürburgring in 1984 and F2 was replaced with F3000, the Eifelrennen was discontinued as it always was associated with the long Nordschleife.

Later, the trademark was given to a standard rounds of the Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft and STW touring car racing on this short GP track. Often two separate races were held, thus two winners.

The last Eifelrennen was held in early May 2003 when several races were held, including an VLN endurance race on the full length combined course (25.9 km) in preparation for the 24 Hours Nürburgring race three weeks later.

Currently there are no major race series cooperating with the ADAC to host a weekend as Eifelrennen.

ADAC Eifelrennen winners (motorcycles)

Deutsche Tourist-Trophäe (German Tourist Trophy)

ADAC Eifelrennen winners (automobiles)

ADAC Eifelrennen winners (automobiles) on the Nürburgring

YearWinnerCar[2] Class
1927 Sports car
1928 Otto Spandel Sports car
1929 W. Bartsch Sports car
Grand Prix
Grand Prix
Grand Prix
Grand Prix
Grand Prix
Grand Prix
Grand Prix
Grand Prix
1938
Grand Prix
1940
1948
1949 Sports car
1950 Formula 2
1951 Formula 2
Formula 2
Formula 2
1954 Sports car
1955 Sports car
1956 GT
1957 GT
1958 GT
1959 Formula Junior
1960 Formula Junior
1961 Formula Junior
1962 Formula Junior
1963 Formula Junior
1964 Formula 2, Südschleife[3]
1965 Formula 2, Südschleife[4]
1966 Formula 2, Südschleife[5]
Formula 2, Südschleife[6]
1968 Formula 2, Südschleife[7]
Formula 2, Nordschleife[8]
1970 Formula 2, Nordschleife[9]
Formula 2, Nordschleife
1972 Formula 2, Nordschleife
Formula 2, Nordschleife
1974
Formula 2, Nordschleife
1976 Formula 2, Nordschleife
Formula 2, Nordschleife
Formula 2, Nordschleife
Formula 2, Nordschleife
Formula 2, Nordschleife
Formula 2, Nordschleife
Formula 2, Nordschleife[10]
Formula 2, shortened Nordschleife
1984
DTM, GP track[11]
DTM[12]
DTM[13]
Mercedes-Benz
DTM
BMW
DTM
BMW
DTM
Mercedes-Benz
DTM
Mercedes-Benz
DTM
Mercedes-Benz
DTM
Alfa Romeo
1995 Bernd Schneider
Bernd Schneider 		DTM
1996 Jörg van Ommen
Manuel Reuter 		DTM
1997 Laurent Aïello
Laurent Aiello 		STW
1998 STW
1999 Tom Kristensen
Manuel Reuter 		STW
2000 Manuel Reuter
Manuel Reuter 		DTM
2001 Laurent Aiello DTM
2002
Formula 3000
Allan McNish
Pierre Kaffer[14] [15] 		LMES

External links

Notes and References

  1. 1922-08-24. Aus Gauen und Clubs des A.D.A.C.. Der Motorfahrer. de. ADAC. 30. 424.
  2. Book: Higham . Peter . The Guinness Guide to International Motor Racing . 1995 . 0851126421 . 386–387.
  3. Web site: F2 Register - Index. www.devontophotels.com. 6 January 2019.
  4. Web site: F2 Register - Index. www.devontophotels.com. 6 January 2019.
  5. Web site: F2 Register - Index. www.devontophotels.com. 6 January 2019.
  6. Web site: F2 Register - Index. www.devontophotels.com. 6 January 2019.
  7. Web site: F2 Register - Index. www.devontophotels.com. 6 January 2019.
  8. Web site: F2 Register - Index. www.devontophotels.com. 6 January 2019.
  9. Web site: F2 Register - Index. www.devontophotels.com. 6 January 2019.
  10. Web site: F2 Register - Index. www.devontophotels.com. 6 January 2019.
  11. Web site: Archived copy . 2009-05-18 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110726033014/http://www.dtm.com/statistik-rennen.php?rennen=1986-04-27 . 2011-07-26 .
  12. Web site: Archived copy . 2009-05-18 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20111002101730/http://www.dtm.com/statistik-rennen.php?rennen=1987-04-26 . 2011-10-02 .
  13. Web site: Archived copy . 2009-05-18 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20111002101750/http://www.dtm.com/statistik-rennen.php?rennen=1988-05-01 . 2011-10-02 .
  14. Web site: 2004 Eifelrennen . MotorSport Magazine Database . 31 December 2023.
  15. Web site: Nürburgring 1000 Kilometres . Racing Sports Cars . 31 December 2023.

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