Motorsport Tradition on Display: Opel at the ‘21st ADAC Hockenheim Historic’

• Premiere: Opel will take part in the historic motorsport event at the Hockenheimring for the first time from May 8 to 10
• Opel Motorsport exhibits from 125 years: Classics from the 12 hp racing car to the Black Widow and Elektro GT to the Calibra V6 4×4 ITC and Astra TCR on site
• All-electric Opel motorsport today: With Corsa Rally Electric and new Mokka GSE Rally in the one-make cup, Opel will soon enter Formula E

Combined values for Opel Mokka GSE according to WLTP¹: Energy consumption 18.5 kWh/100 km, CO₂ emissions 0 g/km; CO₂ label: A.

From 8 to 10 May, the ‘21st ADAC Hockenheim Historic – The Jim Clark Revival’ at the Hockenheimring will be the centre for all connoisseurs and fans of historic racing cars. Opel is taking part for the first time this year and will mark the 125^th anniversary of its first motorsport victory with a special exhibition on the event area on the pit roof. The exhibits from the Opel Classic collection include rarities from the early years of motorsport such as the 12-hp racing car from 1903, the legendary 1914 ‘Green Monster’ and the rocket-propelled RAK2 from 1928. In addition, touring car legends such as the Kadett GSi 16V DTM and the Calibra V6 4×4 ITC will delight visitors at the Hockenheimring.

The fact that Opel is applying its rich racing and rally tradition to create an equally exciting and locally emissions-free future is demonstrated by the world’s first all-electric rally one-make cup in which the new Opel Mokka GSE Rally will excite spectators, following in the footsteps of the Opel Corsa Rally Electric.

Sensational, powerful, legendary: Opel motorsport icons from 125 years

The ‘ADAC Hockenheim Historic’ is a visitor magnet and a highlight in the calendar of all lovers of historic motorsport vehicles. Last year alone, more than 45,000 people flocked to the racetrack. This year, the fans can look forward to legendary racing cars from Rüsselsheim during the three-day event. A real automotive force of the past, for example, is the ‘Green Monster’. 12.3 litres of displacement, 191 kW (260 hp) of power and a top speed of 230 km/h – as early as 1914, the vehicle was built in the Opel factory halls, and it delivered a real statement.

Fast forward to the 1960s: For many, the Group 5 special touring car from 1968 based on the Rekord C, known as the ‘Black Widow’, is still unforgettable. Incidentally, the car, which was initially a secret before its first official outings, was tested and tuned at the Hockenheimring in 1968. At the season finale of the Group 5 touring cars in the same year, driver Erich Bitter achieved the fastest lap time there.

For almost all fans of sporty coupés, all it takes is the words ‘Only flying is more beautiful’ and they know which shapely and timeless classic is meant: the Opel GT. A red version of the unforgettable sports coupé will also be on display at this year’s ‘ADAC Hockenheim Historic’ – because the Opel GT also has close connections to the Hockenheimring. The international dynamic launch of the car took place on the racetrack in October 1968. Several thousand guests tested the newcomer extensively at the time and were thrilled. The rest is history.

The manufacturer proved early on that electrically powered vehicles are capable of delivering outstanding performance with the Elektro GT in 1971 – obviously, on the Hockenheimring. On May 17 and 18, almost exactly 55 years ago to the day, Georg von Opel, grandson of the company’s founder, took to the track with a specially prepared prototype. The result was overwhelming. The Elektro GT set a total of six electric car world records on the circuit.

One of the ‘heroes’ of the golden DTM era is the Opel Kadett GSi 16V from 1989. At its maximum output of 199 kW (270 hp), the rev counter shows an incredible 8,100 rpm. In addition, the car shines with a kerb weight of only 800 kilogrammes – and thus navigated corners with ease at the end of the 1980s. In the middle of it all were the drivers Peter Oberndorfer, Volker Strycek and Markus Oestreich, who offered the audience pure excitement with daring manoeuvres.

Of course, a very special champion will also be present at this year’s ‘ADAC Hockenheim Historic’: the Opel Calibra V6 4×4 ITC, better known to most people as the ‘Cliff’ Calibra. Manuel Reuter and Opel secured victory in the International Touring Car Championship in 1996 with the 2.5-litre V6 racing car with around 368 kW (500 hp).

Today, thrilling racing and rallying is electric. With the world’s first all-electric rally one-make cup, Opel has been underlining its pioneering role and expertise in exciting locally emissions-free motorsport that inspires customers and fans for five years now. The recently announced entry into Formula E reinforces this claim. At the same time, with its hot new ‘everyday sports cars’ such as the battery-electric Mokka GSE and the Corsa GSE, which will be at dealers later this year, Opel is proving how electric sporty driving pleasure arouses pure emotions and can be experienced by customers on the road.

^[1] The values of a vehicle depend not only on the efficient use of fuel by the vehicle, but are also influenced by driving behaviour and other non-technical factors.