Oldtimer Grand Prix

“You must go, it is the best.” Or so we had heard over and over again about the Oldtimers Grand Prix held at the Nurmbürgring. 2018 was the year we went to find out for ourselves.

Arriving early on Firday morning, the first day of qualifying, and woken by coffee with our good friend, Magnus Walker, we set off on our orientation lap. Magnus, an Oldtimer veteran, pun intended, shared the best places to see the action and said hello to friends as we walked the paddocks. An impressive and eclectic selection of cars, vintage trailers and more caught our eye.

The paddocks

Teams and grids are scattered between the formal pits and ‘tent’ city, which takes some exploring. As the teams setup camp and started to prepare there was a natural peace over the compact site, soon broken by the groups heading to qualify, exhausts reverberating.

With the pre-start building to one side of the paddock we suddenly found ourselves in the middle of the Porsche Carrera Cup grid, as they waited for their free practice to start. The pre-start area was one we returned to many times over the weekend, to watch the anticipation of the teams and their drivers.

With big Porsche grids, there was plenty to see, and with the compact layout you can shift position quickly. Catching the grid at the pre-start as the cars pull in, drivers suit up, helmets on, waiting to be set free, then a quick dash to the hole in the fence to catch the racing or head to the pits to see the grid form (when racing) and the driver changes, before the cars pull in for scrutineering.

For the adventurous ones, a hike over the bridge, or through the tunnel into the stands by the start / finish straight, for the action as cars downshift, often with flames pouring out of exhausts, and slam the brakes on to make the corners.

The garages

The etiquette in the formal pits is to leave the paddock side garage door closed, or if open to pull the barrier tape across. As a photographer, pit lane access, with its drama and action, makes it all worthwhile. Having broken through the subtle encouragement to keep you on the paddock side of the garages, there is an ability to wander freely up and down the pit lane, keeping close to the garage entrances.

Its the pits

The marshals do a great job of balancing enthusiasm and safety, calling you back from the pit wall to the garages just as the race is about to start. With many races having driver changes, there is plenty of action happening and a 300mm prime works sell to catch most of it.

Club Life

The Porsche team put on the most amazing display, creating a home from home for those that love the marque. While watching the fireworks as the last race finished on Saturday evening, Magnus regaled us with tails of his Nordschliefe experience; airborne in a 991 GT3 at 262kph, smiling like a big kid. It was a great end to the days racing.

Recommend?

Smaller and more manageable than the Silverstone Classic, less heritage than the Le Mans Classic, less busy than the Goodwood events, many different marques, and full of enthusiasts this is very accessible event. You feel close to the action, the spills and thrills plus the racing is full on. We will be back

Kit

Nikon D800, A Zeiss Otus 28mm F1.4 (my go-to favourite lens), Nikkor 300mm F4, a new 'lightweight' alternative for me. A good compromise on the heavier, longer, more flexible lenses. Great for the pits, a challenge for panning where the track was closer than I would have liked.

Random Stuff

Steps walked over 3 days: 51,086
Distance covered: 35.5 km (22 miles)
Crane Rides: 1
Hours spent watching Nick wash his car: 1.5