Part 2 : First clubs and races
The AvD Oldtimer Grand Prix is not only a race but as well a huge meeting point for several important car clubs. Most of the clubs like to gather and organize one of their annual events during the AvD. The most important brand represented by the clubs was Porsche, both in terms of quality and quantity, and I have to admit that the sight is just properly insane. First one I had to stop for was this white 997 GT3 RS 4.0, one of only 500 ever made and probably the very holy grail of modern 911s, like the 2.7 RS Lightweight were in their time. Then, there was the original, the first one, the 996 GT3, from the same exact color than one of our friends in Switzerland. Given the iconic status of the GT3 throughout the Porsche enthusiasts, I have no doubt that these first generation 996 GT3 will gain considerable attraction and value given time.
The main attraction though was certainly the massive first generation Porsche 911 line-up, with a number of 2.7 RS unseen before, except maybe in some secret places in the Swiss alps. Pick whatever color, you could find one wearing that configuration. With so much clubs coming to Germany’s historic Formula One track for the Oldtimer Grand Prix, Porsche had brought officially a few gems from their Museum in Stuttgart, including this Le Mans Series 911 GT1, which I am almost sure you can recall from the most epic races in history against the McLaren F1s and Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTRs throughout the Hunaudieres, Mulsanne, Arnage or the Dunlop turns of the french racetrack.
Talking about McLaren, the english manufacturer had also decided to bring a few cars from England and a few of its owner’s clubs, showcasing mostly the old MP4-12C, a few 650S, and this McLaren F1, with matching number plate F1 Too. Although wearing a LeMans / GTR bodykit, this was only a standard F1, one of only 64 worldwide. I never liked the standard F1, because of its design – a subjective point, I do agree – but also because the car was so perfect in terms of driving, I could never imagine how someone could ever smile and have fun in such a car. I can only imagine its drivers to be extremely focused, concentrated on the road and on nothing else.
