ADAC Hockenheim Historic — The Jim Clark Revival

ADAC Hockenheim Historic — The Jim Clark Revival

The ADAC Hockenheim Historic is one of Europe's most important historic motorsport festivals and, according to the organizers, the "traditional season opener" for classic racing in Germany. The 21st edition will take place from May 8 to 10, 2026, at the Hockenheimring. The event honors the Scottish two-time Formula 1 World Champion Jim Clark, who died tragically on April 7, 1968, during a Formula 2 practice session at the Hockenheimring — an event that left a lasting mark on the history of motorsport and the Hockenheimring.

Twelve Racing Series — A Historic Cross-Section of Motorsport

The 2026 program offers twelve racing series with vehicles from several eras of motorsport:

• BOSS GP — Boss class for younger generation Formula cars
• Historic Racecar Association — historic racing cars
• Lurani Trophy — Formula Junior according to historic regulations
• DMV Formel Vau — the German entry-level Formula of the 1960s/70s based on the VW Beetle
• CLASS ONE Revival — historic DTM cars from the early 1990s
• Velom Sportscar Supercup — historic sports cars
• Touring Cars Golden Era — classic touring cars
• Further series — Formula Renault Historic, Historic Touring Cars, BMW Classics, etc.

What You'll Experience — From the Grandstand to the Paddock

The Hockenheimring is one of Germany's most traditional race tracks. During the festival, visitors not only have access to the grandstands but also to the paddock with a weekend ticket, where the teams prepare the historic cars between races. Here, you can get close to vehicles that are otherwise only found in museums — a Lotus 49 driven by Jim Clark, a Brabham BT26, a Tyrrell 003, a Matra MS80, a Porsche 908. The atmosphere is intimate — mechanics work in old overalls, toolboxes from the 1960s are at the pit wall, and drivers give spontaneous autographs.

Success of the 21st Edition in 2026

The 2026 festival builds on the success of recent years — the latest edition attracted around 46,000 visitors over three days and has established itself as one of the most important historic motorsport events in Central Europe. The mix of racing action, paddock access, marque clubs, classic car exhibitions in the paddock, and a memorabilia market makes the weekend a pilgrimage for motorsport enthusiasts from Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Great Britain, and the Netherlands.

Jim Clark — The Unforgettable Scot

The Scot Jim Clark (1936–1968) is one of the greatest figures in Formula 1 history: two-time World Champion in 1963 and 1965, 25 Grand Prix victories, one of the fastest and most stylish drivers of all time. His fatal accident on April 7, 1968, at the Hockenheimring during a Formula 2 race — he lost control on a wet track and hit a tree — shook the motorsport world. Since its inception, the ADAC Hockenheim Historic has been a continuous homage to Clark and all racing drivers who paid the ultimate price for the sport.