As the long winter draws to a close, this is not only good news for the local flora and fauna, but also for motorsport fans: from May 8 to 10, 2026, one of the first highlights of the season will take place at the Hockenheimring with the ADAC Hockenheim Historic – The Jim Clark Revival.
The event has evolved from a niche gathering for die-hard purists into a true horsepower festival for the masses: at the 20th edition of the Jim Clark Revival last year, more than 45,000 spectators flocked to the Baden Motodrom over the three days to indulge in the authentic sights, sounds, and smells of glorious racing days gone by.
This year’s edition of the Jim Clark Revival, which as always is dedicated to commemorating the two-time Formula 1 World Champion who tragically lost his life at the Hockenheimring on April 7, 1968, also promises an attractive and varied program. Ten racing series with around 500 participants have been announced for the second weekend in May, with a particular focus this year on touring cars and racing sports cars.
Touring Car Icons and Big Names
The absolute crowd-pullers are the DRM Revival and the Touring Car Golden Era. Here, visitors can see the powerful machines of the legendary Deutsche Rennsport-Meisterschaft (DRM), as well as the classic touring cars of the “old” DTM and the Super Touring Car Championship (STW). And it is not only the cars that captivate the fans. In recent years, crowd favorites such as Altfrid Heger, Olaf Manthey, Roland Asch, Kris Nissen, Harald Grohs, and Kurt Thiim have repeatedly taken the wheel of their former racing machines.
Appearing for the first time and a genuine highlight of the event is the Class 1 Revival powered by CARBON. Older fans will remember the legendary on-track battles between big names in the approximately 500-hp high-tech race cars from Alfa Romeo, Mercedes-Benz, and Opel during the 1994 to 1996 seasons. After a true explosion in costs brought the “old” Class 1 era to an end, the DTM was reborn in 2000 with technically simpler yet no less impressive V8-powered machines from Audi, Mercedes, and Opel. BMW returned to the DTM in 2012, and in 2019 the series switched from classic naturally aspirated engines to turbo engines. Aston Martin also joined that same year. Unfortunately, Class 1 was discontinued for good at the end of the 2020 season. However, many race cars from that era still exist and will be on display at the ADAC Hockenheim Historic.
Formula Racing from the Early Days to the Modern Era
Fans of classic formula racing will also get their money’s worth at the ADAC Hockenheim Historic. A regular feature of the event is the Historic Racecar Association, which stages the “ADAC Graf Berghe von Trips Cup” with formula cars from a wide range of classes, commemorating Wolfgang Graf Berghe von Trips, the Rhinelander who tragically lost his life at the 1961 Italian Grand Prix in Monza. BOSS GP is the playground for more modern formula cars from the 1980s through to the 2000s.
The Lurani Trophy and the DMV Formel Vau also pay tribute to two of the most successful and popular junior formula categories of the last century. While the Lurani Trophy serves as the home of Formula Junior, Formula Vau is regarded as one of the most brilliant ideas of former Porsche racing director Huschke von Hanstein. What both categories have in common is that they produced countless great names, including several Formula 1 World Champions such as Jochen Rindt, Niki Lauda, and Keke Rosberg.
Raceclub Germany will be represented with an impressive selection of classic Grand Prix, formula, and sports cars, showcasing pure motorsport passion. Another highlight will be Team FNT, presenting selected performance vehicles, including Formula 1 cars from the 2000s, during special demonstration runs.
The historic racing classes at the ADAC Hockenheim Historic will once again be complemented by a leap into modern times. The Gebhardt Ginetta Nordic Championship, which will make its German debut at the event, is an ideal springboard for young drivers aiming to move up into the higher GT classes.
Also joining the program is the VELOM Watches Sportscar Supercup supported by Interwetten SCC – an attractive platform for GT and sports cars that thrills with exciting battles and a wide variety of brands.
A Horsepower Festival On and Off the Track
The ADAC Hockenheim Historic – The Jim Clark Revival does not only offer an excellent program on the racetrack. On Saturday and Sunday, the activity area at the East Grandstand becomes a meeting point for numerous brand clubs, while the ADAC Erlebniswelt delights visitors of all ages with a wide range of attractions and hands-on activities.
An exclusive special exhibition featuring numerous original exhibits related to Jim Clark and Team Lotus will take place in the Congress Pavilion. The pit roof will once again be transformed into a versatile experience area: across 4,000 square meters, visitors will find numerous stands and exhibitions. Special guided tours will offer a look behind the scenes. And anyone strolling through the paddock is sure to come across one or two famous names from the world of motorsport. Requests for autographs or photos are traditionally welcomed.
More information at: hockenheim-historic.de
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