24th Techno Classica Essen

                             Celebrating Competition History

Photo and report: Willem J. Staat

The 24th Techno Classica at Essen in Germany was a great success for the organizers. More than 180.000 paying spectators went through their gates from March 21st until March 25th! 1200 exhibitors from 30 countries were being represented at the Show. And of course there is always a large number of Historic Racing Cars on display, like the Taki Lola T70 which raced at the first Japanese GP in 1968, the Porsche Carrera 6, Pikes Peak competition cars from Audi and Volkswagen. The Seat Ibiza Rallyecar with which Oriol Servia’s father drove. Famous Ferrari’s like the Dino 206 S from 1966 or the Arno Ferrari Powerboat from 1953. But also the famous Winkelmann F2 Brabham-Cosworth from Jochen Rindt which is now being runned in Classic Racing and won the F2 Historic Pau Grand Prix. But BMW and Volkswagen also showed their current DTM and WRC-weapons. A very worthy exhibiton though there was also a rival Show at Stuttgart for the first time this year. Themes on this year’s show were 150 Years of Opel, 60 Years of Mercedes Benz SL. 21 Spanish Pegaso sports-cars were to be found on display. Only 86 were being built between 1951 and 1958.