The second half of the 1960s and the first half of the 1970s marked the golden era of touring car racing. During this period, Alfa Romeo, Ford and BMW fought legendary battles for victories and championships. In Germany, touring cars were the classic entry-level discipline for ambitious young drivers on their way to an international career. Names such as Jochen Mass, Hans-Joachim Stuck, Hans Heyer and Klaus Ludwig gained their first formative racing experience in closed cockpits long before they shone on the big stages of motorsport.
In addition to the two DHLM races, the "Grand Prix of Touring Cars" is the third 3-hour race on the Nürburgring circuit and thus another highlight of the ADAC 1000 km race weekend from 18 to 20 September 2026.
A history marked by big names
The standard was also exceptionally high at European level. In the European Touring Car Championship, young German talents competed against established national and international greats such as Toine Hezemans, Dieter Glemser, Gian Luigi Picchi, Dieter Quester and Carlo Facetti. They were joined by Formula 1 drivers, including reigning and future world champions such as Jackie Stewart and Niki Lauda – a field of participants that made motorsport history.
Icons on four wheels
The vehicles taking part are still regarded as symbols of this era today: Ford Escort and Ford Capri, Alfa Romeo GTAM, BMW 2002 and the legendary BMW 3.0 CSL. These automotive icons guarantee a unique, high-class and emotional starting field that authentically reflects the diversity and character of the touring car era of that time.
Return of a classic to a historic location
The Touring Car Grand Prix on the Nürburgring Nordschleife was an integral part of the European Touring Car Championship in those years. In a conscious homage to this tradition, a pure touring car race for vehicles built between 1962 and 1975 will be held again for the first time in September 2026 as part of the ADAC 1000 km race. A three-hour race for Appendix K vehicles is planned, with the starting field divided into three divisions – a consistent return to historic motorsport in its purest form.
