GROUP C COMEBACK WITH FANS!

PITBLOG: Norbert Ockenga

Corona can kiss our @$$... That's what we at the PITWALK-Collection have been saying and writing ever since the outbreak of the epidemic - when the consequences for motor sports became known. Now our motto proves true again.

Because there is also redeeming news for all fans of historic motorsports: The comeback of Group C on the last weekend in August may now finally take place in the presence of spectators. This was confirmed by the responsible health authority to the track operators of the Hockenheim-Ring, where the Hockenheim Historic will be held from August 27 to 29 - with the new Group C race as the drawing card and highlight in the calendar.

The spectacular sports prototypes from Le Mans, the Sports Car World Championship, the North American IMSA and the Japanese Endurance Championship return to the Baden race track for the first time since the great days of the Porsche 956. Cars from all three generations of Group C - and from all championships - are eligible to start. Group C2, the former entry-level and junior class for the spectacular downforce sports cars, are also in the field.

As of this week, it's clear: spectators are allowed on the grandstands as well as in the stands, wearing masks and observing the usual epidemic rules - mask, distance, hand washing, in-arm sneezes. On the spectator seats do not even have to leave individual seat shells free. The prerequisite for this is the wearing of a "muna" mask - that is, a mouth-nose mask.

There will be a maximum number of spectators allowed. But this is so high that it can hardly be reached at the Hockenheim Historics anyway. The experience of the past editions of this highlight in the calendar of historic motorsports has shown: The fans that are to be expected, both for the paddock as well as for the crowd on the grandstands can be handled easily and without restrictions on the comfort for the visitors.

The theoretical limits for visitors are not imposed by the authorities - but are due to practicality and also to the racing experience and comfort of the fans. After all, both the paths from the parking lots to the grandstands and the tunnels into the paddock have to be kept within walking distances and directions. This inevitably results in bottlenecks. These will be defused by the theoretically necessary upper limits in such a way that they are not noticeable and certainly cannot spoil the racing experience and the enjoyment of Group C in Germany.

For more information on ticket sales and the event, visit
www.hockenheim-historic.de/en/.

In any case, the field of the Historic Group C - the vehicle category that is still considered the golden era of sports car endurance racing - is already busily filling up. Fans are in for a breathtaking mix of models from all three generations and both classes, C1 and C2 - including the mighty Jaguar XJR from TWR and the 1,000-horsepower Nissan from Le Mans, in one of which Mark Blundell burned off his insane qualifying lap.

Also in the planning stages is a bridge from Group C to the current Le Mans LMP1 and hypercar bolides, using Toyota as an example.

The entire PITWALK issues with editorial content on Group C can be found under:
www.PITWALK.DE under the menu item PITSHOP.