Heavenly pre-war motoring at the Altmühltal Classic Sprint

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The Altmühltal Classic Sprint is set to return to Bavaria on 21st to 23rd June to give pre-war and post-war enthusiasts an opportunity to enjoy their vehicles in one of Europe’s finest landscapes. Beginning in Middle Franconia, the route will wind from Nuremberg to Weißenburg and into the dramatic Altmühl Valley. While the event is open to all cars built up to 1994, the valley presents the ideal conditions for pre-war cars: hilly enough to be engaging, but not so much as to be wearisome. Indeed, one of the most memorable participants of 2023 was a 1911 Knox Type R, which kept the pace exceedingly well.

Although the Sprint is designed to encourage enthusiastic driving of these old vehicles, it is nevertheless a relaxed and informal occasion to be enjoyed at whatever pace car and driver are happiest. To this end, consideration goes into selecting the most scenic routes, stopping at interesting landmarks such as castles and other historic buildings, and socialising over excellent food and drink. For the competitively inclined, there will also be one set of time trials in the morning and one in the afternoon.

This year’s start point is the beautiful Jakobsplatz in the historic centre of Nuremberg, where some of the buildings date as far back as the 14th century. The Friday drive will finish back in Nuremberg at the Hauptmarkt, where vehicles will be overlooked by the Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady), completed in 1361, and the replica of the Schöner Brunnen (Beautiful Fountain), both exemplars of the Gothic style.

The Saturday will begin with a special stage at the Norisring, an historic street circuit first used for motorcycle racing in 1947 but with a darker side to it: it was constructed on land originally built as a venue for Nazi Party rallies. The route will then visit the scenic towns of Heilsbronn and Ellingen, in time to enjoy the Altmühl Valley in the afternoon. Hohenzollern Castle, the romantic hilltop castle built in the 1840s for the ancient Hohenzollern family in the Gothic Revival style, will play host to the second time trial, before participants stop for the night in the mediæval environs of Weißenburg.

On Sunday, drivers will return to Nuremberg, taking in Wülzburg, one of Germany’s best-preserved Renaissance fortress. In total, the Classic Sprint will entail some 400 miles (650 km) of driving on public roads, with six time trials included.

In addition to everything else, the Classic Sprint is an especially good event for young enthusiasts to get involved with, since there will be a special prize, the European Youngster Cup, for participants up the age of 25. There will also be a trophy for the most deserving car in the pre-war class.

Visit www.classic-sprint.de for more information

Photographs: Geoselect FotoArt/  Plomiphotos

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