•    Remember the Style: visitors are welcome to come dressed up in the style ofdays gone by

 

The CANADIAN-AMERICAN Challenge Cup, formerly CanAm-Cup, is celebrating its golden anniversary this year. At the start of the season within the context of the Bosch Hockenheim Historic – The Jim Clark Revival, the capacity giants play an important role and together with the European Interserie they will rock the Motodrom.

 

From 1966 to 1974, the most spectacular racing series in the world at the time netted the organisers a record turnout. Over the course of nine years, 71 CanAm races were held that stole the show, in part, even from Formula 1. What was the secret of this racing series? For two-seater racing cars, there were virtually no limits in Group 7 of the FIA. Everything was possible with this sports car; everything was permitted. The regulations at the time, which spanned just three pages, stipulated two seats, one chassis, which held the wheels, and a roll bar. There was no limit on motor capacity and the use of compressors or turbo chargers to increase performance was also permitted. So until 1974 there were cars with over 1,000 hp, spectacular wings and ground effects. Even turbine-powered cars were used. Many vehicles remain one-off items or were built in very limited numbers.

 

At the beginning, the series was dominated by John Surtees. The former Formula 1 world champion won the first championship year in a Lola T70 Spyder. This was followed by the era of the McLaren cars M6 and M8 – driven by Bruce McLaren and Denny Hulme. The cars from England were almost unbeatable until Porsche set the bar significantly higher again with its 917 Turbo. Ultimately, the sports car manufacturer could only be halted following a change to the regulations.

 

Almost all the top drivers of that time climbed into the cockpit of a CanAm car. Chris Amon, Mario Andretti, Mark Donohue, Dan Gurney, Jim Hall, Graham Hill, Phil Hill, Denny Hulme, Bruce McLaren, Jackie Oliver, Jackie Stewart, John Surtees.

 

Today’s CANADIAN-AMERICAN Challenge Cup is organised by Peter Schleifer from Germany. The original CanAm and Interserie cars from 1966 to 1974 are eligible. Exact modern replicas are also entitled to take part. In the true spirit of the original race, no electronics, such telemetry, laptops or other modern data recording tools, are permitted.

 

The Interserie was the European equivalent to the American CanAm Cup. The series was started in 1970 by the Nuremberg and Stuttgart Motorsport Club at the “Motor Sport Leisure” trade fair, the present-day CMT. The Hockenheim Ring is one of its regular venues. The inaugural race took place at the Noris Ring. Jürgen Neuhaus won ahead of Gijs van Lennep, both in a Porsche 917. Neuhaus also went on to win the first year of the championship. He will be our guest of honour at the Bosch Hockenheim Historic from 15 to 17 April and on every event day, around 30 CanAm and Interserie cars will be sent out onto the track for demonstration laps. The Hockenheimring, in collaboration with Solitude GmbH, has also invited special Interserie cars of the quality of a Porsche 917, 910 and 908.

 

Remember the Style
The comprehensive programme, alongside the racing track, is rounded off with a commemorative event for the Scottish Formula 1 world champion Jim Clark. In addition to the large automobile club Areal, autograph sessions and a special Jim Clark exhibition, the freely accessible driver’s paddock, where, in the historic atmosphere, you can participate at first hand in the teams’ preparations, is inspirational. Thus, all our visitors are asked to relive the good old times. Whether in the style of the golden 20s or a mix, such as the fashion of the 60s, the organisers look forward to welcoming as many motor sport fans as possible in the fashion style of bygone days. Visitors who come dressed up for the event can have their photo taken as a souvenir  in the paddock. At the end of the event, the best photo will be chosen on Facebook. The winner can look forward to two weekend tickets with an upgrade to the VIP area of the Bosch Hockenheim Historic 2017.

 

Family-friendly admission prices make for a perfect motorsport weekend. Tickets for the Oldtimer show are already available in advance from 10 EUR.

 

For more information on Bosch Hockenheim Historic, please go to: www.hockenheim-historic.de