16H Hockenheim to Replace Canceled 24H Barcelona

Photo: Hockenheimring

A new 16-hour race at Hockenheim will replace the recently canceled Hankook 24 Hours of Barcelona, officials from Creventic announced on Thursday.

The Sept. 4-6 event, which was initially set to take place at Circuit de Barcelona Catalunya, was called off due to a recent increase in COVID-19 infections in Spain.

“We are really sad that we can’t go to Catalunya as the race there has been a regular fixture on our calendar for so many years,” said Creventic sporting coordinator Ole Dörlemann.

“Of course, we would like to thank the people at the Circuit de Cataluya for their understanding and we are certain that Barcelona will be back on our calendar for 2021.”

Dörlemann said local noise restrictions has resulted in the unique 16-hour race format for Hockenheim, which will be split between eight hours on Saturday and Sunday.

The event, Creventic’s first in Germany, will still award full points for the 24H Series Europe and the 24H Series Continents.

It will mark the circuit’s longest-ever endurance race as well.

An optional private test is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 4 followed by free practice and qualifying for GT and TCE competitors.

Negotiations on possible support races are ongoing. 

“We are delighted with the opportunity to race at Hockenheim,” Dörlemann added.

“The track is easy to reach from all over Europe, the facilities are up to Grand Prix standard and we have a nice three-day event with a compact time schedule to make it attractive for everyone to participate.”

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John