Youngtimers on their maiden voyage
When you hear the term "classic cars", you usually think of vintage cars - preferably those nostalgic vehicles that rolled off the production line in the pre-war era. However, youngtimers, i.e. classic cars with 20 to 30 years on the clock, are also becoming increasingly popular. For them, the ADAC Nordrhein has created the ADAC Rheinlandfahrt, which is making its debut from July 18 to 21. The "Modern Classics" will set off from Königswinter for the day's stages past the most picturesque spots of the Siebengebirge (July 19) and the Eifel (July 20). Guests are cordially invited to marvel at the vehicles, most of which were built after 1980, from up close during the stops along the route. Information about the event can be found at www.oldtimerwandern-nordrhein.de/rheinlandfahrt.
A round trip in a classic car - all well and good. But is it a rally or a race? No - it's a traditional form of automotive transportation that is very popular with participants today under the term "classic car touring": The idea here is to experience pure driving pleasure with your own classic car on beautiful routes away from the main roads. Participants discover beautiful corners of their home country and show off their excellently maintained vehicles to onlookers along the way. Especially during the lunch breaks on Friday on the market square in Hachenburg and on Saturday on the market square in Ahrweiler from 11:30 a.m. onwards, it's worth "kibitzing". However, the tour is not entirely without sporting ambition for the participants: small challenges await them at the walking breaks, for which points are also awarded. However, these are never motorsport challenges, but rather, for example, skill or a good eye for estimation tasks.
Not least because of this special form of organization, the ADAC Rheinlandfahrt is open to a variety of vehicles that are also sure to be fun for spectators. After all, it is mostly beautiful limousines, sports cars or convertibles that are presented to the public here. There will be a reunion with open-top classics such as the Mercedes 124 Cabrio (built in 1997), Maserati 320 GT (2000) or BMW Z4 (2004), which have found their way into the hands of enthusiastic youngtimer fans. Those who prefer a roof over their heads will certainly take a closer look at the Audi 80 (1994), Porsche 993 4S (1996) or Fiat Barchetta (1996): These are all vehicles that are far too good and usually too rare to be dismissed as simple "used cars".
The ADAC Rhineland drive also combines picturesque scenery and vehicles worth seeing to create an overall experience. In the Siebengebirge mountains, the route starts on Friday in Königswinter and heads east to the vicinity of Ruppichteroth, where the Sieg waterfall in Windeck awaits discovery. The winding route then leads along the Sieg for a while before turning off to Hachenburg for a lunch break. The afternoon then sends the participants westwards again to Waldbreitbach and back to Königswinter.
The route on Saturday invites participants to discover the Eifel, because from Königswinter it goes up to the Eifelhöhe via side roads to Rheinbach to the Glass Museum and Roman Canal Center. From there, the route winds its way south to the Ahr and through the wonderful vineyard scenery to Ahrweiler for a lunch break. This is the perfect opportunity to experience the tour as an onlooker, as there is a break here before continuing towards the Nürburgring. In the afternoon, participants will then head over the Hohe Acht around the traditional Eifel circuit to the last hiking break at the Bitburger Gasthaus directly on the Grand Prix circuit. In the afternoon, the return to Königswinter is on the program, where the award ceremony will be celebrated with the participants after the finish.
The schedule in brief
Thursday, July 18, 2024
14:00 - 18:30 Technical scrutineering, Königswinter market square
Friday, July 19, 2024
08:30 - 09:00 Start, Königswinter market square
09:00 - 11:00 hrs SS 1, Siegwasserfall Windeck
11:30 - 14:00 SS 2 and lunch break, Hachenburg market square
14:00 - 16:00 WP 3, Rosa Flesch Conference Center, Waldbreitbach
16:30 - 18:00 Finish, Königswinter market square
Saturday, July 20, 2024
08:30 - 09:00 Start, Königswinter market square
09:00 - 11:00 WP 4, Glass Museum and Roman Canal Center Rheinbach
11:30 - 14:00 WP 5 and lunch break, market square Ahrweiler
14:00 - 16:00 SS 6, Bitburger Gasthaus, Nürburgring
16:30 - 18:00 Finish, Königswinter market square
Joachim Kurth
Motorsport and Classic
ADAC Nordrhein e.V.
Luxemburger Straße 169 - 50939 Cologne
