Racing history comes back to life at TABAC Classic GP Assen

TT Circuit Assen was once again in the spirit of historic car and motorcycle racing last weekend, featuring authentic Formula 1 cars, historic Grand Prix motorcycles, classic mopeds and much more! Both in the paddock and on the circuit, visitors could admire the classics up close, during a weekend full of speed, nostalgia and unforgettable moments for young and old. This year, the Classic GP celebrated its fifth anniversary: the only classic event for cars and motorcycles held at the century-old TT Circuit. The event brought together numerous racing legends, exceptional race cars, iconic GP machines, and passionate collectors and fans from across Europe to celebrate motorsport history.

Motorcycle Legends

One of the absolute highlights of the TABAC Classic GP weekend was the Motorcycle Legends demonstration by Team United Classic Racing (UCR), which brought one of the largest collections of classic motorcycles ever assembled to the TT Circuit, with almost 200 legendary racing bikes. Admirers saw, among others, the Suzuki XR14 500 on which Barry Sheene once won the Dutch TT, the ever-popular MV Agustas, but also modern classics such as a Ducati MotoGP machine once ridden by Dovizioso. Notable was the presence of several Dutch riders of yesteryear and former world champion Carlos Lavado, who himself took part in the demonstrations.

Formula 1 in action

The Masters Historic provided spectacular moments, with demonstrations of several authentic Formula 1 cars, including the legendary Hesketh once driven by James Hunt. Among the drivers was also former F1 driver Martin Donnelly, whose promising career came to an abrupt end in 1990 after a terrifying crash at the Jerez circuit — a moment that later served as the inspiration for the character Sonny Hayes in the Hollywood film about F1. Donnelly took to the track in Assen in a 1993 Footwork car.

Races in sun and rain

Changeable weather conditions made the race weekend extra challenging for the drivers. The spectacular formula races of the Interserie suffered the most from heavy downpours. In addition, the ADAC Graf Berghe von Trips Cup, the Historic Monoposto Racing and the touring car classics of SuperSixties Racing and the ETCC Seventies Revival offered great racing for the many enthusiasts. The TABAC Classic GP offered a rich overview of more than a hundred years of racing history, brought to life in part by the Dutch Vintage Sports Car Club, which put on a beautiful demonstration with pre-war race cars.

Plenty to see on the circuit and in the paddock

Alongside the race programme, the paddock hosted an open-air exhibition full of historic race cars, GP motorcycles and timeless classics. On Saturday, hundreds of mopeds also came to Assen. They rode the Drenthe circuit for the JMPB BromfieTTs, the largest moped event in the Netherlands. A large group of riders once again relived their "moped days" on the famous TT Circuit tarmac. With a varied programme, impressive demonstrations and a memorable atmosphere, the TABAC Classic GP Assen turned into a weekend that racing fans of all ages will cherish for a long time to come.

TABAC Classic GP Assen – Where classic meets future!