When the engines of bygone decades roar at the Nürburgring, the Historic Championship ’65 makes its appearance. From June 12 to 14, 2026, one of the most traditional racing series returns to the Eifel as part of the ADAC Nürburgring Classic – and with it one of the most dazzling collections of vehicles the historical motorsport has to offer.
Ferrari. Jaguar. Cobra. Who offers more?
Rare and legendary vehicles such as the Mercedes 300 SL, Ferrari Testarossa, Jaguar C- and E-Type, Austin Healey, Porsche 356 and 550, Lotus, Cobra, Maserati, Alfa Romeo and many more bring the series to life – not behind glass panes, but on the asphalt of the Grand Prix racecourse.
The series is aimed at GTs and racing cars built between 1947 and 1965, divided into classes based on brake type – drum or disc – and engine capacity. It sounds technical, but is crucial: This exact class division ensures fair duels and close races across the entire field. Look forward to spectacular duels with vehicles from a bygone era.
From the workshop to the track – the spirit of the 50s and 60s lives on
What makes this era so unique is its diversity of philosophies. Mercedes impressed with its gull-wing cars and their racing versions, Jaguar revolutionized racing with disc brakes, while Lotus focused on lightweight construction with small, agile engines. Concepts that could hardly be more different – and that’s exactly why they are so fascinating when combined on the track.
What also distinguishes this era is the spirit of innovation: race car drivers who drove their own cars to the track, small workshops that challenged the big teams – this pioneering spirit is still palpable in every vehicle on the starting grid today.
The schedule
Qualifying will take place on Friday, June 12 at 14:50. The two races will follow on Saturday, June 13 at 16:10 and Sunday, June 14 at 15:30 – both on the Grand Prix course. Both races are part of the German Historic Automobile Championship (DHAM), in which the Historic Championship ’65 competes alongside its sister series HC ’81.
Six decades of motorsport – as alive as ever
Authentic vehicles, faithfully recreated technology, and a meticulously curated starting field make this series an experience for fans of all generations. For those who want to experience motorsport not just watching it, but feeling it, this is the place to be.
