Retro Classics 2017: Stuttgart show to honour racer Roland Asch

Seven cars raced by German legend Roland Asch will be on display at this year’s Retro Classics in Stuttgart, including his DTM Mercedes-Benz 190E. Dubbed the ‘Swabian Arrow’, Asch had a profound impact especially in the great era of the German Touring Car Championship (DTM).

Now Retro Classics Stuttgart will honour the 66-year-old racer with a special display of his cars at the show, which runs from 2-5 March. Asch, a trained mechanic, began his career in slalom races and hill climbs during the mid-1970s. His first race in the German Touring Car Championship was at Hockenheim in 1984.

After moving from Ford to Mercedes-Benz, Asch was runner-up the in the DTM championship in 1988 and 1993. Asch also recorded success the German Porsche 944 Turbo Cup, where he won the title three years in a row from 1987 and 1989.

Below is one the most memorable moments from Asch's career from 1994 at the Alemannenring. Alessandro Nannini, racing for rivals Alfa Romeo, was running directly ahead of Asch. Nannini was chasing the car in front hard and locked up his rear tyres under breaking. What happened next is well worth watching...