’90s DTM Legends & More At The Copenhagen Historic Grand Prix

3 weeks ago

My purpose pinch automotive photography has ever been to seizure each aspects of car culture. Something I’ve wanted to do for arsenic agelong arsenic I tin retrieve is sprout 1990s Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) title cars successful action.

This summer, I yet realised that long-time dream.

Every year, Bellahøj Park successful Copenhagen hosts nan Copenhagen Historic Grand Prix. As 1 of nan fewer events of its benignant successful Denmark, it attracts thousands of visitors. Having conscionable only precocious discovered it, I decided to attend while connected a family holiday.

When it’s on, nan streets astir Bellahøj Park are transformed into a 2.4km racetrack pinch tight corners and challenging chicanes. The parkland itself becomes a hub for a assortment of further activities.

I entered done 1 of nan event’s respective gates, which happened to beryllium closest to nan Via Retro car show – a awesome spot to start.

This show area was filled pinch cars from various Danish clubs, including Porsche, Lancia, Land Rover, MG, and others. Some clubs showcased models I’d ne'er moreover heard of before.

One illustration was this beautifully preserved 1970s Lancia Fulvia Sport, a sleek, fastback and sportier version of nan Fulvia Coupe.

Another standout was this J5 from Kellison, a California-based kit car shaper progressive successful nan precocious 1950s and 1960s.

Events for illustration these ever person typical cars connected display, but for me, nan astir enjoyable portion of immoderate automotive festival that centres astir racing lies successful nan paddock.

The 2024 Copenhagen Historic Grand Prix featured 7 classes racing complete its 3 days. These ranged from nan Youngtimer class for modern hatchbacks…

…to nan Formula Junior class featuring single-seaters for illustration nan Lotus 22 and Lola Mk5A, and nan Sixty-Fivers for cars from nan precocious 1960s. Japanese vehicles were scarce, but I did spot a Datsun 240Z.

While I’m a Japanese car enthusiast astatine heart, I thin to admit vintage events pinch classical cars much than thing else; they conscionable consciousness ‘grown up.’ Maybe it’s because I’m a begetter successful my thirties, but location is thing astir watching these automotive clip machines shriek past that makes nan acquisition unforgettable.

For me, nan event highlight was clear: nan Tourenwagen Legenden.

Before nan Copenhagen Historic Grand Prix, my vulnerability to DTM races had been constricted to archived Eurosport replays and YouTube montages, often group to German stone and rotation music.

While not needfully a bad thing, it did not hole maine for nan excitement of seeing these touring cars alert past successful person.

There was assortment successful nan grid pinch Porsche 996 GT3 Cup cars, Aston Martin V8 Vantage N24s, BMW E30 M3s, and Mercedes-Benz 190 E EVO I and EVO IIs each racing together. It was a spectacle I didn’t expect to see.

Kristian Poulsen, victor of Friday’s race, pushed his BMW E30 M3 DTM to nan limit. Mechanical issues prevented him from finishing Saturday’s race, but Kristian secured 2nd spot connected Sunday. This BMW was undoubtedly my favourite car of nan full weekend.

Though nan DTM people was my highlight, it was a blast to watch each kinds of cars title astir nan thoroughfare circuit.

While putting this station together, I realised it would beryllium cool to sprout these iconic cars pinch period-correct analogue camera cogwheel to seizure their existent essence. Trevor’s 35mm photography has inspired maine to research this further.

I request to study much astir shooting connected film, but until then, bask galore much photos from nan 2024 Copenhagen Historic Grand Prix below.

Alen Haseta
Instagram: hazetaa