Half a century: Formula Vee anniversary at the Norisring
Formula Vee returned to the Norisring 50 years after the series’ first official race was held there. The Historische Formel Vau Europa (HFVE) fan club celebrated the anniversary by staging show races featuring more than 50 vehicles at the 2.3-kilometre street circuit in Nuremberg. Despite heavy rain on Saturday, the event was attended by motorsport legends such as Porsche’s ex-sports director Manfred Jahnke, the former Formula 1 driver Dieter Quester (A) and retired pro Leopold Prinz von Bayern (D).
The celebrations also attracted leading lights from the early years of Formula Vee and amateur racing drivers. Other guests included Kurt “Master” Bergmann (A), who dominated Formula Vee for years with his Kaimann team and supported subsequent Formula 1 World Champions like Niki Lauda (A) and Keke Rosberg (FIN). The series features a small single-seater powered by Volkswagen. What makes this car so special is that crucial parts – such as the engine, gearbox and wheel suspension system – are based on the VW Käfer.
The first Formula Vee race in Europe was held at the Norisring on 4 July 1965. Although the Formula Vee era came to an end in 1982, races are still held with the famous, much-loved single-seaters. The charity Historische Formel Vau Europa e.V. preserves the history and technology of Formula Vee – the biggest junior racing series of all time – and keeps its legacy alive.