Speed and competition would be the big theme for the weekend, be it through the various rivalries between the Kremer Porsche 935s and the BMW M1s, the Little NSUs, Fiat Arbaths and Mini Coopers, in a self-styled Battle of the Dwarves, or the Ford GT40s and the Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sports.
I can’t help but mull these various rivalries over in my head, and consider that despite some of them tracing their lineage back well over fifty years, they’ve never really lost their passion. Sure, some rivalries have lost their competitive edge in keeping with fluctuating customer demand, but they never really die: to the muscle car elite, it will always be Ford, Dodge or Chevrolet, rarely all three.
And who can forget the significance of track competition in this. For decades, ‘race on Sunday, sell on Monday’ was THE mantra for most manufacturers, and it gives me a buzz seeing examples that represent this philosophy being thrown through the corner in front of me.
The next few hours pass by in a blur of high-horsepower and engine notes to make the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. But as the day draws to a close and the fans reluctantly start heading home, a quiet falls over the pits. And it’s here I find some unexpected peace, putting the camera to rest and just admiring the beauty and history of these stunning masterpieces. I found myself imagining what it must have been like to drive a Ferrari 312b or a Maserati 250F at competitive speeds. It’s awe-inspiring, if a little terrifying.
Such moments leave a lasting impression, and consequently keep petrolheads coming back to these events over and over again. Next year’s Hockenheim Historic has already been circled on my calendar. All that’s left is to buy an umbrella.
– FULL GALLERY OF SHOTS AVAILABLE HERE – CLICK – Shots courtesy of btwlphotography
