Hockenheim: Last start for Jo Vonlanthen 🎥
LAST WEEKEND Around 500 drivers took part in the "Hockenheim Historic - Jim Clark Revival" last weekend. At the same time, Swiss veteran Jo Vonlanthen gave his farewell as a racing driver. After a year's break due to Corona, a total of almost 20,000 spectators were drawn to the 16th edition of the popular classic car event at the Hockenheimring. Among the 500 or so participants [...]
After a year's break due to Corona, a total of almost 20,000 spectators were drawn to the 16th edition of the popular classic car event at the Hockenheimring. Among the 500 or so participants in the various racing fields was Jo Vonlanthen, a veteran of Swiss motor racing.
Last brisk laps in GRD F2
At the declared end of his long career, the 79-year-old man from Freiburg managed a few quite appealing laps in his GRD 273 with Cosworth engine during the presentation of the "Raceclub Germany".
The turquoise racing car was reminiscent of his glory days in Formula 2. Jo Vonlanthen celebrated his greatest successes in 1973 with 3rd place at the Rome GP in Vallelunga and in 1975 with 2nd place at the Portuguese GP in Estoril.
The 1972 race car champion (on a Tecno 1000 F3) also scored a few one-day victories in Swiss races with it.
Two starts in Formula 1
In his Formula 2 days, Jo Vonlanthen fought duels with racing greats such as Keke Rosberg, Emerson Fittipaldi, John Watson, James Hunt and many others. Afterwards, "Little Jo" met some of them again in the Formula 1 field.
When the Williams team was still virtually unknown and Formula 1 entries cost even less, he ventured into the top racing league in 1975. With inferior material, however, he never had a chance to test his talent.
After all, Vonlanthen managed to qualify for the Austrian and Swiss Grand Prix (in Dijon) as a privateer driver in a Williams FW04 46 years ago in August.
Two wins for Luciano Arnold
Finally, Luciano Arnold showed how it is still possible to win with a Formula 2 racing car even at an advanced age in the "Historic Racecar Association" field.
With his Brabham BT36 Cosworth (Gallery left), the Zurich native dominated the two races on Saturday and Sunday in impressive fashion. Twice he was able to stand in the middle of the podium (gallery on the right).
Next year in May
The next date of the Bosch Hockenheim Historic has already been fixed. Fans should make a note of the weekend from May 6 to 8, 2022.
More information about the Jim Clark Revival 2021 as well as all results and many more pictures you will find at hockenheim-historic.com.
Photos and information: Jürg Streun
What else there was to see in Hockenheim, especially in the paddock, is shown by the impressions of DM Media & Productions.
