Congratulation greetings to Hans Herrmann from the Organisation team of the 4. JIM CLARK-REVIVAL at the Hockenheimring

Hans Herrmann, one of idols of the public of the Hockenheimring in Baden-Württemberg will celebrate his 80. Birthday on 23. February 2008. The legendary racing driver had already got to know the Hockenheimring in the fifties as a Mercedes works driver. At the end of the sixties, his races at the Motodrome from the Baden region turned out to be among his most spectacularly driven races.

In 1969, he achieved for the first time the constructor world champion title for Porsche together with works team colleagues like Jo Siffert, Vic Elford, Rolf Stommelen, Udo Schulz and Gerhard Mitter. The next year in Le Mans, he won the first overall win for the sports car manufacturer. He took this motor sports highlight to end his racing driver career.

Hans Herrmann had achieved more than 80 overall and class wins from the beginning of his racing career in 1952 right up to this historic moment. Hans Herrmann drove for various brands – also at the Hockenheimring. His most spectacular accident on 12. May 1954 during a trial drive for the Mercedes works team is unforgotten. The guest of honour comments: At that time, the track was totally different from today’s Motodrom track.

 It was shaped like a long-stretched oval and which was driven ant-clockwise. During the eighth lap, I sped with 240 kilometres per hour towards the "Stadtkurve" and had to brake – suddenly I felt a sharp pain on my right leg. An oil line had burst and the hot oil splashed out. Because my foot slipped from the pedal, I could not brake properly and the car shot out towards the "Stadtkurve" – when I regained consciousness, Neubauer, my racing chief confirmed how lucky I had been. I had been catapulted out of the car by the force of the crash.

For the first time in my career, I had to spend some time in sick bed due to the burns as well as the chest and kidney bruises." This and further spectacular accidents and incidents in Monaco and the "Mille Miglia" earned Herrmann the nickname "Hans im Glück" (lucky John).

The sixties were much more successful for the racing idol at the Hockenheimring. Since the Solitude race track near Stuttgart was banned for use due to safety reasons, the new Motodrom in Hockenheim turned into an Eldorado for Prototype races. On 14. August 1966, Herrmann started with a Porsche 906 and came in third during the "Grand Prix Hockenheim".

On 21. July 1968 he achieved the first position in his class and became the second overall winner with a Porsche 908 in the "Solitude race in Hockenheim". He became the overall winner on 15 September during the "Prize of all nations" in Hockenheim – once again with a Porsche 908. The very next year, on 13. Juli, he shot forward with a Lola T 70 during the "Solitude Races, Hockenheim" to become the overall winner.

Hans Herrmann is due to attend the 4. International Historic Grand Prix, the JIM CLARK-REVIVAL at the Hockenheimring in Baden-Württemberg from 24. - 27. April 2008 as a guest of honour. Then memories of a great racing driver and his recollections of this race track will be reawakened. Ronny G. Bredhauer will take this opportunity to admit the racing legend as an honorary member of the JIM CLARKREVIVAL Supporters Club.

The JCR-Chief Organiser says: "We sincerely congratulate Hans Herrmann on his 80. Birthday and we feel very proud and honoured that such a versatile and sympathetic racing driver will be attending our racing weekend."

For more information, please have a look at our website: www.jimclark-revival.com   - photos also