The motor racing purists love the Copenhagen Historical Grand Prix - a throwback event to a bygone era when drivers were death-defying heroes, the conditions were rough and ready, and tyre-changing operatives worked in teams of one. So it’s no wonder that so many of the drivers from the ‘50s and ‘60s return to race, lured by the chance to compete on tracks that are reminiscent of their former glories.
‘It’s fair to say it captures the spirit of that era,’ explains Andrew van de Burgt, the editor of the UK’s most popular motor racing magazine Autosport, who attended the race in 2003.‘The fantastic surroundings of Copenhagen’s Fælledparken make an ideal setting for a parade of some fine classic racing machines,’ van de Burgt tells The Copenhagen Post.
‘From guaranteed crowd-pleasers like Jaguar D- and E-types to rarer formula-racer exotica, the event provides plenty to see for the ardent racing fan and the casual observer alike.’
In all there are nine different classes of car competing in over 30 races over the course of the two-day event, which enjoyed its inaugural year in 2001. The circuit is 2km long - including Noerre Alle, Oester Alle and Borgmester Jensens Alle - and wide enough to let three or four cars race side-by-side, with only two tight corners. Among the cars taking part are classic models of Bentley, Bugatti, Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Jaguar, Lotus, Aston Martin and Porsche.
Qualifying starts at 08:30 on Saturday with the pre-1947 class, and the heats begin at 13:15. Possibly the biggest draw of the first day is the ‘Historic 65-class GTS & TC’ (Standard- og GT-biler (TC og GT) op til 1965) class which is expected to include Prince Joaquim - a regular competitor and patron of the event - in his beloved Ford Lotus Cortina. Qualifying for this class is expected to start soon after 10:20 with the first heat at 14:15. Qualifying on Sunday also begins at 08:30 and the first heat of the day starts at 12:45.
Only the cheapest ticket prohibits access to the grandstands (which all have unnumbered seats), and under-14s are allowed to join you in any area that your ticket grants you entry to. Public interest is normally pretty large with 10,000 spectators expected to turn up per day, and the event is supported by 250 volunteers who give up their time, with some working 24-hour shifts to get the track ready.
The profits from the event are normally given to the Dansk Automobil Sports Union to invest in talent development.
Dogs are not allowed to attend the event but other classic cars are, and are particularly welcome to use the Classic Car Park for free (where Blegdamsvej meets Frederik den V´s vej), providing they meet the organisers’ criteria that the model must have been introduced some time before 1970, and apply online (www.chgp.dk/parking-application---classic-car-park/) beforehand. The area is under surveillance, but ultimately you park there ‘at your own risk’.
As well as the racing, there will be a number of different displays, giving car enthusiasts an opportunity to indulge in some long and meaningful gazing. And with the UN summit on climate change (COP15) in mind, there will be demonstrations of a new type of sustainable car (the CO2 E-racer), hybrid engines and sustainable car technologies.
Every type of ticket - there are five (see details), depending on how much wine and food you want to consume - gives you access to the paddock and the chance to soak up the pre-race atmosphere.
So close your eyes, fill your nostrils with the smell of petrol and listen to the hum of the engines, just like the swooning girls dressed in fetching ‘40s wear and dashing drivers in long silk scarves did in years gone bye.
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