115 years ago, Narcis Podsedníček finished first on the challenging rally from Paris to Berlin with his Laurin & Klement motorbike. It was the beginning of a great success story, which continued both on circuits and in rally sport. With a wide variety of attractive racing, rally and sports cars, ŠKODA is marking this anniversary at the AvD Oldtimer Grand Prix, which is taking place at the Nürburgring from 12th-14th August 2016. Two extremely rare gems will also be amongst them, and will be on the starting line for the first time at this event. In addition, fans can look forward to numerous other highlights from the company’s history.
“The ŠKODA 1100 OHC from 1957 is an impressive example of Czech engineering prowess and, at the same time, a significant milestone in ŠKODA’s 115-year motorsport history,” said Andrea Frydlová, Manager of the ŠKODA Museum. “When developing the two-seater, the engineers were given free rein and as a result created a sports car of the highest quality.” The same goes for the Formula 3 single-seater from 1965 – with this model, Miroslav Fousek won the Eastern European Formula 3 Championship in 1968.
In the ŠKODA 1100 OHC, a longitudinally mounted in-line four-cylinder engine with two overhead camshafts and a cylinder capacity of 1,089 cm3 makes for a racy driving performance. The small powerhouse shines with an engine output per litre of 85 HP – an extraordinary figure for the time. The bodywork was also advanced, because it is made from very light fibreglass. The 92-HP car weighs just 550 kg.
In its day, the sporty two-seater sped ahead of the competition with powerful acceleration and a top speed of 200 km/h. In 1958, Czech racing driver Miroslav Fousek took victory in Mladá Boleslav when competing in the new sports car for the first time. Further victories followed at local race events.
From the brand’s long and successful history in motorsport, ŠKODA also shows the legendary rally cars from the 1970s and 80s. A prime example: the ŠKODA 110 R showcased in 1970. The mass-production sports coupé was among the dream cars of the Eastern bloc. Rear-wheel drive, sports seats, sports steering wheel and three auxiliary instruments as well as the frameless side windows are among the special features included in the two-door car built until 1976.
The ŠKODA 110 R also provided the basis for the ‘Porsche of the East’: the ŠKODA 130 RS, successful in motorsport and especially popular among privateers, celebrated its debut in 1975. At the Monte Carlo rally in 1977, it won group 2 for cars with a cylinder capacity of up to 1.3 litres. In 1981, ŠKODA won the manufacturers’ rankings in the European Touring Car Championship with this model. At the AvD Oldtimer Grand Prix at the Nürburgring, ŠKODA will showcase both the rally version and the track version of the 130 RS. The latter will participate in the qualifying and main race for the ‘AvD Touring Car and GT Trophy’ on Friday and Saturday morning (09.45 and 08.55 respectively). The rally version will burn rubber as part of the popular ‘Slowly Sideways’ run on Saturday afternoon (from 13.40).
Furthermore, the newly built ŠKODA 200 RS – based on its historic predecessor and with seven-time German Rally Champion Matthias Kahle behind the wheel – will cause a furore at the event. The original prototype coupé, which, in comparison to the 130 RS, is about 15 centimetres lower, was only used on a few rallies in 1974 due to a change in the regulations. In spite of this, the 200 RS was a milestone in the Czech brand’s motorsport tradition.
On Friday (11.45) and Sunday (12.55), all of ŠKODA’s 36 cars wowing the public throughout the weekend at the Nürburgring will be on the Grand Prix circuit for some parade laps. A ŠKODA OCTAVIA World Rally Car as well as a ŠKODA RAPID, 120 GLS, FELICIA, SUPERB and TUDOR will all join the party. Almost all of the treasured cars come from private collections and are driven by their respective owners.
As an official partner of the AvD Oldtimer Grand Prix, ŠKODA supports the famous event for historic motorsport and will provide fans and spectators with plenty of racing action off the track. In the paddock, enthusiasts can admire the treasures at close range and can even get behind the steering wheel themselves: a rally simulator awaits in the ŠKODA AUTO marquee.
