The Cargraphic GT3 appeared...
The Cargraphic GT3 appeared to handle well, but the driver spun it twice.
Each year Sport Auto invites the most powerful tuned cars from across Germany and Europe.
Germany's Sport Auto Magazine has created an exciting event--the Tuner GP--that celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2003. Hockenheim race circuit is site of the annual flog, which attracts the finest tuner cars in Germany and the rest of Europe. Introduced more recently to the weekend-long event is the drifting contest, which sends clouds of burnt rubber wafting across the packed grandstands.
You can read all about the 2003 Tuner GP in European car's November 2003 issue, but here is some additional photography from the event, indicative of the wide range of outstanding cars in attendance.
Three Audi TTs were entered,...
Three Audi TTs were entered, including this example from HMS Tuning in Germany.
One of the Swedes in attendance...
One of the Swedes in attendance was the 190-bhp turbodiesel Heico HS6 based on the Volvo V60 Diesel.
Three Cooper S cars were on...
Three Cooper S cars were on hand, including this version from Digitec.
The Hirsch Performance Saab...
The Hirsch Performance Saab 9-5 Aero is a factory-approved tuned car. It visibly suffered from having 305 bhp and front-wheel drive but still did well in its class.
The sole Ferrari in 2003 was...
The sole Ferrari in 2003 was Digitec's 420-bhp 360 Modena Spider.
The 646-bhp TechArt GT Street...
The 646-bhp TechArt GT Street S swept the board in the GT Class, winning the street-legal battle.
The Gemballa Cayenne Turbo...
The Gemballa Cayenne Turbo was the only entrant in the new SUV Class. It was, therefore, also the winner.
Audi's RS cars are starting...
Audi's RS cars are starting to show up regularly at such events. This is the MTM project car.
The Vath Motorentechn ik SL55...
The Vath Motorentechn ik SL55 AMG may have had 565 bhp, but its 4400-lb curb weight prevented it making an impression on the much lighter Porsches.
Lorinser's supercharged CLK500...
Lorinser's supercharged CLK500 was driven by Robert Schafer, the Mercedes factory's chief test driver.
GP Open Class winner Wolfgang...
GP Open Class winner Wolfgang Kaufmann put the Brabus CLK 6.1 sideways for a fifth-place finish in the drifting contest.
First-timer from Switzerland...
First-timer from Switzerland was Hanni Motorsport's Oliver Wittwer in an E30 M3 Evo. His spectacular sideways style through Sachs Curve was a crowd pleaser.
Jaguar Deutschland's new XJ8...
Jaguar Deutschland's new XJ8 put on a spectacular show.