Racers from yesteryear bring back memories

No less than eight classic cars took part in leg 6 of the Circuit Racing event.

The racers brought back memories of a time when cars were still simple.

But do not be fooled by these old-timers, as Karl-Heinz Eisenberg in his 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280se reached a speed of up to 180 km/h on the straits.

Taking part for the first time in the classic car category, Eisenberg said it was mind-blowing coming second.

Another legend on and off the racing track is Guilliaume Kruger, who won the classic car category.

There were no different classes to ensure equal platforms, and entries were about showcasing the oldies and just finishing the race.

“It’s awesome. It’s just about feeling the old cars on the track, racing, and having fun,” Kruger said after the race.

He said the drivers raced at top speeds, “but it is not so fast, they work everything and do not want to damage anything on the cars as it is difficult getting parts for these cars”.

Henry Bischoff, whose dream it was to revive classic car races at the event, said the idea was to entertain crowds and motorsport enthusiasts during the long intervals between other races.

“We lost a bit of credibility with the long pauses between races, so we started a classic car racing series as fillers between the clubman racing,” he said.

Spectators often leave the venue due to the long intervals between each race.

This is warranted for racers to service and repairs after each race.

Bischoff said a 1974 1600 VW Beetle lacking some horses does well around the corners trying to overtake the faster cars, but there are too few corners on the track, he joked.

He and his three children also take part in various other categories on the track.

The last race for this year is slated for 26 November, Bischoff said.

“We are already busy lobbying for more classics to enter the last race of this year,” he said.

For the 2023 season Bisschoff said participants in the classic category will have to comply with all the rules and regulations.

Kruger, in his 1978 Ford Escort mk2, finished in first place, followed by Eisenberg in his Mercedes, while Donavann Friedenthall in a VW Caddy ended in third place.

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