29th Zschorlau Triangle Race: Historic motorsport festival thrills the crowds

29th Zschorlau Triangle Race: Historic motorsport festival thrills the crowds

The Zschorlau Triangle Classic Grand Prix took place on 1 and 2 August. The racing heroes of yesteryear and the fans enjoyed a weekend packed with highlights – the 30th anniversary in 2027 is set to be even better.

The 29th Zschorlau Triangle Classic Grand Prix was a resounding success. Although a light drizzle on Saturday dampened the mood somewhat, the sunshine on Sunday made up for everything and turned the exhibition runs featuring historic racing machinery on two and three wheels into another fantastic motorsport festival in the Ore Mountains. At the same time, it left everyone wanting more – specifically, the next event in 2027, when the 30th Classic GP is due to take place.

Adolf Hänni

Foto: Thorsten Horn

A host of motorsport personalities

The line-up of prominent figures was impressive even at this ‘pre-anniversary edition’. Whilst 80-year-old Dutchman Aalt Toersen and Rolf Blatter from Switzerland – five years his junior – the motorcycle vice-world champion in the under-50cc class (1969 and 1970, and 1979 respectively) – are regular guests of honour at the 1st Auer MSC, the dynamic club was also able to present its loyal audience with another Zschorlau debutant in the form of Adolf Hänni. The 71-year-old, who had also travelled from Switzerland, is a three-time world champion as a sidecar passenger alongside the Finn Pekka Päivärinta (2010, 2011 and 2013) and was absolutely fascinated by the enthusiasm and expertise of the fans. He said: “This is my first time in Zschorlau and, for me, it’s actually the first time I’ve ever been invited to a classic car event as a guest of honour. A week earlier, we had a big anniversary event organised by a motor club just 20 kilometres from my home. I wasn’t invited to that. It did bother me a little. That’s why I’m very happy to have been invited here. I’m not here for the money, but because I enjoy it and have been able to meet up with lots of people from the past again. They’re still keen to say ‘hello’ to me. That’s something that warms my heart.”

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Whilst Aalt Toersen and Rolf Blatter were once again busily doing their laps, Adolf Hänni confined himself to signing autographs and was available almost throughout for a chat and a bit of technical banter.

Well over 200 active participants, including those competing in multiple classes and sidecar pairs, took part in the 29th Zschorlauer Classic Grand Prix across 13 classes sorted by year of manufacture and engine capacity. The once again numerous spectators crowded most densely along the track edge for the special runs titled ‘Parade of former champions, GP riders and machines’. In addition to the protagonists already mentioned, former GDR champions Stefan Tennstädt, Johannes Kehrer and Rainer Liebe were once again to be seen on the track. Heinz Rosner, an honorary member of the 1. Auer MSC, along with Jürgen Lenk, Bernd Köhler and Wolfgang Rösch, followed Adolf Hänni’s example and also mingled with the spectators watching the action.

At the end of the colourful festivities and convivial get-together, the chairman of the 1. Auer MSC, Uwe Stübner, summed up: “Without wishing to exaggerate, this was the best event of recent years. On the one hand, because the day went by almost without a hitch and without any accidents, and on the other, because of the consistently positive feedback from countless participants and visitors alike. Many came up to us at the end of the event to thank us, congratulate us and assure us they’d be back. Thanks to many hard-working volunteers, we’d finished dismantling the entire track by 7 pm this time.”

The former chairman and head of organisation, Rainer Pommer, added: “Many cycling enthusiasts thanked me as well. Some who were attending our Dreieckrennen for the first time told me that our Classic GP is one of the top events on the scene. For my part, I must say that the preparations with our club members and partners were absolutely top-notch and everything ran like clockwork. You can’t praise that highly enough. Despite all the stressful moments, it was great fun once again.”

Rainer Pommer, Aalt Toersen, Uwe Stübner und Bürgermeister Leonhardt

Foto: Thorsten Horn

In 2027, everything is set to be even better

Looking ahead to the next anniversary in 2027 – the 30th Zschorlauer Dreieck Classic Grand Prix – Uwe Stübner hinted: “First of all, we need to evaluate this year’s event and analyse what we can do even better. There’s always room for improvement, but overall, I don’t think we have any major issues to address; we’ll just be fine-tuning a few minor details. We’re again targeting the first weekend in August 2027 for the event. That will be another highlight for our club. Following this year’s success, we’re keen to tackle that challenge.”