ADAC Hagen-Klassik – Oldtimer Rally

39 Years of Hagen-Klassik – Sauerland Automotive Tradition

The ADAC Hagen-Klassik is a staple in the German classic car rally scene. Organized by the Hagener Automobil-Club 1905 e.V., one of Germany's oldest automobile clubs (founded in 1905, shortly after the invention of the automobile itself), the rally celebrates its 39th edition in 2026. The club is a local member of ADAC Westfalen and has, for decades, organized not only the classic rally but also safety training, youth driver education, and classic car meetups in Hagen.

Start at the FernUniversität Hagen

The traditional start and finish point is the FernUniversität Hagen – Germany's only state-run distance learning university and the city's largest university campus. The spacious campus with its parking lots and forecourt is ideal for lining up the vehicles, the parade laps before departure, and the concluding event. Precisely at 9:31 AM – a distinctive time that is a tradition – the first vehicle starts; the others follow at one-minute intervals.

The Route – Through the Sauerland

The rally winds through one of Westphalia's most scenic regions: the Sauerland. The 2026 route includes stages passing through:

• Nachrodt – at the entrance to the Lenne Valley
• Altena – famous for Altena Castle (above the Lenne River)
• Neuenrade – in the Märkischer Kreis district
• Affeln – serving as the turnaround point in the Sauerland

The route combines winding country roads with historic town passages where residents can admire the vehicles. It is a tourist rally, not a timed race – the focus is on driving pleasure, social gathering, and showcasing the historic vehicles.

Classic Cars and Youngtimers

Eligible participants include classic cars (at least 30 years old) and youngtimers (approx. 20-30 years old). The field of participants is diverse: Mercedes-Benz classics, Porsche 911s, VW Beetles, BMW 2002s, Italian sports cars (Alfa Romeo, Fiat 124, Lancia), French sedans (Citroën DS, Peugeot 504), English roadsters (MG, Jaguar). Motorcycles can also participate in special categories. The rally is a rolling exhibition of 20th-century automotive history.

Hagen – Gateway to the Sauerland

Hagen, with nearly 190,000 inhabitants, is the fifth-largest city in the Ruhr area and serves as the gateway to the Sauerland. Geographically, the city lies at the transition from the flat Ruhr area to the low mountain landscape – making it the ideal starting point for a Sauerland rally. Hagen is also known as the location of the FernUniversität, the Karl Ernst Osthaus Museum (one of North Rhine-Westphalia's most important museums for modern art), and its historic main train station.

More Than Just a Car Rally

The Hagen-Klassik is also conceived as a family and club festival. At the start and finish points, there will be catering, a small classic car show for spectators, and exhibitions of automotive memorabilia. For many residents of Hagen, Whit Sunday with the Klassik-Rallye is a family event: they drive to the start, admire the cars, eat a bratwurst, and wave to the departing teams.