This year the Historic Motoring Competition world converged on Stuttgart as guests of Mercedes Benz for the FIA Historic Seminars. The meetings all took place at the Mercedes Benz Museum, an amazing display over eight levels, both of Daimler, Benz and Mercedes cars and other vehicles, but also, as one moved from floor to floor, a detailed photo record of German and World history during the lifespan of the Motorcar.
The conference breaks into 3 parts, the Annual presentation on Safety, Changes in Appendix K, and the various Historic Seminars, the second meeting of Circuit Organisers chaired by HMSC Chairman, John Hughes; and the annual gala dinner at which the FIA Historic Championship awards are presented. Above all, and probably the more important aspect of the weekend, is that all the key players are under one roof for 2 days, providing an important opportunity to meet other race organisers, HMSC members, Stewards, and to put the final touched to the years plans, and to lay seeds for the years ahead.
Duncan and Mair flew German Wings from Heathrow to meet up with Sarah from Riga, leaving baby Elena for the first time! Most delegates ate in at the Hilton Garden Hotel, which was situated literally right next to the Mercedes Benz Stadium - scene that night to an 8 o’clock kick off for the UEFA Cup football. The hotel doors were securely looked with access through the car park; the resulting 1-1 draw kept things peaceful!!
Participants included Steve and Debbie Earle, Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival organisers; Jeremy Hall (responsible for all US HTPs for ACCUS); John Symes of the MSA; Grahame and Brede White and Chairman Chris Sharples of the HSCC, together with many of the FIA Stewards we see regularly at Lurani rounds including Martin Grant-Peterkin, John Felix, Stan Minarik (also organiser of the FIA historic Hill Climb Championship) and David Gray. Other long time regulars included Francesco Fazzalari (now replaced in the HMSC as CSAI Representative by Paulo Canterlla (.FIAT), Harry and Cissy Vossen from NL, from Germany Dieter Furst, Kai Zimmerman and Hans Brun and Joos Tollenaar of the AvD Oltimer, and Yves Bacchelin(B) and Simon Hadfield for the preparers.
After a visit by train to the (remains of) the old centre of Stuttgart, seat of the Kings of Wurttemburg until 1918, and the Stadt Museum, the Seminars were opened by John Hughes and then started with a report by John Hopwood on Appendix K changes. The use by Formula Junior of Hall Effect electronic ignition has been formally included; and the minimum weight for 1.0 litre F3s has been reduced from 420kg in period to 400kgs, because of the lighter [modern AVON] tyres and lowered suspension ;one would have thought that ROPS extinguishers and belts would have counteracted that? And it was emphasised that if Period A to E cars do have ROPS they do NOT have to comply to the 5cm above helmet minimum as a ROPS is not a requirement, just a recommendation for this period, so they must for Period E just be at least as per period specification. There then followed the HTP presentation concerning the new Form.
After viewing the Mercedes Benz Museum, Friday night saw a gathering in a traditional Swabian restaurant down town, while the HMSC delegates enjoyed their dinner at the Porsche Museum.
Saturday morning started with a safety - much seen before, especially the rally crashes, but an amusing German speaker. After a buffet lunch, there followed a review of the FIA Championships, including Lurani, and the announcement that Masters will from this season be running the Masters FIA Historic Formula One Championship together with a newly registered FIA Championship for Sports Cars pre 1963.Then followed the separate meeting of the Organisers, including Patrick Peter, Rachel Bailey and Ron Maydon from Masters, as well as the Zandvoort organisers [looking forward to our visit in August/September].
The Prize Giving Gala Dinner brought FJ drivers Pierre Tonetti, cutting short his NZ tour after 22 straight wins across 5 meetings; John Delane who had flown in from the States, to collect his HFO trophy as well; Luc Deneve and Ivo Göckmann (with Stephanie and baby Lenn) as joint Class D winners, while Daniele Salodini has his Trophy in absentia.