Germany does not have a shortage of permanent racing venues. However, not long ago, airfield circuits were quite common - and Diepholz was one of those that lasted the longest.
Nürburgring, Hockenheim, Sachsenring, Oschersleben, Lausitzring - Germany certainly has no shortage of purpose-built racing circuits relative to its size. You could also throw Bilster Berg in the mix, although the venue is officially classified as a test track that has not been built with actual racing in mind.
This used to be different, however. When Germany was still divided, only two permanent circuits were operational, namely the Nürburgring and Hockenheimring. And yet, it was during this time, the later years of the Cold War, that domestic racing excelled - but how?
The answer is simple: temporary circuits. These popped up all over the country, and apart from street tracks like the Norisring or the Alemannenring in Singen, airfield circuits became increasingly popular as the need for racing venues grew.
The track soon became a staple on the domestic racing scene, with more powerful cars soon racing around the tarmac - even Group C vehicles were part of the action via their DRM and Supercup participation. As DRM made station at the track, this meant that spectacular Group 5 cars like the Ford Zakspeed Turbo Capri were flying around Diepholz as well.
The final configuration of the Diepholz Airfield Circuit used until 1998. The layout was slightly changed over the years, particularly concerning the chicane on the top half of the circuit. Image: Google Maps
Junior formulae like Formel König or Formula 3 also raced at the circuit - as did touring cars. From 1984 onwards, Diepholz would be part of the DTM calendar, where it stayed until the 1996 season. Even Michael Schumacher raced there just before his big break in Formula One, namely in the 1991 DTM event.
After DTM had morphed into ITC and folded after only one season in 1996, racing carried on at the airfield, with smaller series visiting until 1998. Then the curtain fell for the track - a similar story to other airfield circuits in Germany.
Venues like Kassel-Calden or Wunstorf, which were staples of the DTM calendar once, vanished from racing calendars. The latter also saw its last racing use in 1998, although DTM had already turned its back to the track after their 1993 rounds there. That makes Diepholz the airfield track that lasted the longest on the bigger national stage in DTM and then ITC.
The last hurrah for airfield circuits in Germany came in the transitional period from 1997 to 1999 when there was no DTM. Circuits like Zweibrücken, the Regio-Ring in Lahr and Wunstorf were on the Super-Tourenwagen-Cup schedule, which served as a replacement for DTM - but it never reached the original series' popularity despite being far from unpopular itself.
Of course, there is also the track used by Formula E at the former Berlin-Tempelhof airport. First run in 2015, the track has since undergone multiple changes, including a completely revised layout for 2024. Compared to traditional airfield circuits, the track is relatively tight, however, as it does not follow the runways or access roads, but is rather laid out on the large concrete space in front of the former airport building where planes and helicopters used to be parked. Quite a contrast to the likes of Wunstorf or Diepholz.
Considering all this history, it should not come as a surprise that RaceRoom chose Diepholz as one of its three retro circuits to add with its big September 2024 update. Most sim racers will have raced at the classic Hockenheimring and have at least heard of AVUS, but Diepholz is the underdog of the trio - but it is a splendid addition to the RR lineup.
Both the 1992 and 1995 DTM grids will benefit from this, and even though DRM (called Group 5 in game) used a slightly different layout back in the day, the cars should feel right at home there, too. Even the Group C cars in RaceRoom, although considerably more advanced than the ones that raced at the track up until 1989 as part of DRM and later Supercup, are a good fit.
In sim racing, the track is relatively rare, with the only mod on OverTake being one for rFactor. There are versions out there for Assetto Corsa and GTR2 as well, although the seem to be conversions of the rF mod.
Could RaceRoom adding Diepholz be a hint at more of these tracks to come in the future? We certainly hope so, as the sim would benefit a lot from period-correct tracks for its vast amount of historic content. It could become a DTM fan's dream simulator, with the present-day grid coming in, as well as several historic seasons also on board.
Are you looking forward to giving Diepholz a go? Let us know in the comments below!
Nürburgring, Hockenheim, Sachsenring, Oschersleben, Lausitzring - Germany certainly has no shortage of purpose-built racing circuits relative to its size. You could also throw Bilster Berg in the mix, although the venue is officially classified as a test track that has not been built with actual racing in mind.
This used to be different, however. When Germany was still divided, only two permanent circuits were operational, namely the Nürburgring and Hockenheimring. And yet, it was during this time, the later years of the Cold War, that domestic racing excelled - but how?
The answer is simple: temporary circuits. These popped up all over the country, and apart from street tracks like the Norisring or the Alemannenring in Singen, airfield circuits became increasingly popular as the need for racing venues grew.
Need For Tracks Creates Temporary Circuits
Diepholz was born out of this exact necessity - the circuit, anyway. The airfield it was laid out on, officially called "Fliegerhorst Diepholz", had been in operation as a military airport since 1937. With the popularity of racing on the rise, Diepholz first saw racing action in 1968, with the venue between Hanover and Bremen in Northern Germany hosting its first "Flugplatzrennen" (airfield race). It was won by Fritz Leinenweber in a Porsche 911 S.The track soon became a staple on the domestic racing scene, with more powerful cars soon racing around the tarmac - even Group C vehicles were part of the action via their DRM and Supercup participation. As DRM made station at the track, this meant that spectacular Group 5 cars like the Ford Zakspeed Turbo Capri were flying around Diepholz as well.
The final configuration of the Diepholz Airfield Circuit used until 1998. The layout was slightly changed over the years, particularly concerning the chicane on the top half of the circuit. Image: Google Maps
Junior formulae like Formel König or Formula 3 also raced at the circuit - as did touring cars. From 1984 onwards, Diepholz would be part of the DTM calendar, where it stayed until the 1996 season. Even Michael Schumacher raced there just before his big break in Formula One, namely in the 1991 DTM event.
After DTM had morphed into ITC and folded after only one season in 1996, racing carried on at the airfield, with smaller series visiting until 1998. Then the curtain fell for the track - a similar story to other airfield circuits in Germany.
Venues like Kassel-Calden or Wunstorf, which were staples of the DTM calendar once, vanished from racing calendars. The latter also saw its last racing use in 1998, although DTM had already turned its back to the track after their 1993 rounds there. That makes Diepholz the airfield track that lasted the longest on the bigger national stage in DTM and then ITC.
The last hurrah for airfield circuits in Germany came in the transitional period from 1997 to 1999 when there was no DTM. Circuits like Zweibrücken, the Regio-Ring in Lahr and Wunstorf were on the Super-Tourenwagen-Cup schedule, which served as a replacement for DTM - but it never reached the original series' popularity despite being far from unpopular itself.
Of course, there is also the track used by Formula E at the former Berlin-Tempelhof airport. First run in 2015, the track has since undergone multiple changes, including a completely revised layout for 2024. Compared to traditional airfield circuits, the track is relatively tight, however, as it does not follow the runways or access roads, but is rather laid out on the large concrete space in front of the former airport building where planes and helicopters used to be parked. Quite a contrast to the likes of Wunstorf or Diepholz.
Diepholz Debuts In RaceRoom
Layout-wise, Diepholz may not be anything special, but the list of all-time great names that raced there is impressive - DTM winners include Hans-Joachim Stuck, Bernd Schneider, Klaus Ludwig and Kurt Thiim and Steve Soper. Sportscar races saw the likes of Bob Wollek, Walter Brun, Franz Konrad or Mauro Baldi behind the wheel.Considering all this history, it should not come as a surprise that RaceRoom chose Diepholz as one of its three retro circuits to add with its big September 2024 update. Most sim racers will have raced at the classic Hockenheimring and have at least heard of AVUS, but Diepholz is the underdog of the trio - but it is a splendid addition to the RR lineup.
Both the 1992 and 1995 DTM grids will benefit from this, and even though DRM (called Group 5 in game) used a slightly different layout back in the day, the cars should feel right at home there, too. Even the Group C cars in RaceRoom, although considerably more advanced than the ones that raced at the track up until 1989 as part of DRM and later Supercup, are a good fit.
In sim racing, the track is relatively rare, with the only mod on OverTake being one for rFactor. There are versions out there for Assetto Corsa and GTR2 as well, although the seem to be conversions of the rF mod.
Could RaceRoom adding Diepholz be a hint at more of these tracks to come in the future? We certainly hope so, as the sim would benefit a lot from period-correct tracks for its vast amount of historic content. It could become a DTM fan's dream simulator, with the present-day grid coming in, as well as several historic seasons also on board.
Are you looking forward to giving Diepholz a go? Let us know in the comments below!
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