Race report – 1922 I. Grosses Opel-Rennen

Hark, Ye Motor Enthusiasts! A Thrilling Spectacle Unfolds at the 1922 Opel-Rennen!

From the heart of Germany, at the famed Opel-Rennen in Opel-Rennbahn, a true test of man and machine has concluded, marking another exhilarating chapter in the Golden Era Championship! The roar of engines, the scent of burning fuel, and the cheers of the fervent crowd filled the air as the finest automotive chariots and their intrepid drivers battled for supremacy.

The stage was set with a cool breeze, a wind speed of 3 kmh from the West, promising a fair contest for all. In the preliminary practice session, the Finnish sensation, Joni Lindholm, driving Rolland-Pilain A22, displayed her prowess by clocking the fastest lap, a blistering 0:33.911, securing the pole position. Other notable contenders in the mix included Alex Henry from the Netherlands in his Fiat 804, Matanjah from Poland, Rui Lázaro from Portugal, and the formidable Anssi Hyytiäinen from Finland.

As the flag dropped for the start of the race, Markus Peltonen of Finland, in his Rolland-Pilain, surged forward to claim the initial lead. Hot on his heels were Joni Lindholm in second, Eetu Nurmi from Finland in third, and Hyytiäinen closely behind in fourth. The early laps saw a flurry of position changes as drivers vied for an advantage. Moises Pereira, in a Fiat, demonstrated early ambition, passing Rui Lazaro for 14th position. Alex Henry, too, showed his mettle, making up ground by passing Rui Lazaro to seize 15th.

The middle portion of the race was a captivating display of strategic maneuvering and daring overtakes. Lumbago from Luxembourg, piloting a Rolland-Pilain, made a significant climb, passing Henrik Pekkanen to secure fifth place. Nurmi, through a masterful drive, overtook Markus Peltonen to seize the coveted lead. However, the contest at the front remained fierce, with Hyytiäinen soon challenging and passing Nurmi for third, only for Nurmi to regain ground and move back to fourth. Markus Peltonen, meanwhile, made a strategic pit stop, momentarily dropping to 12th before rejoining the fray.

As the race neared its dramatic conclusion, the battle for the top spot intensified. Joni Lindholm, ever a force to be reckoned with, moved into second place, hot on the heels of Hyytiäinen. The Finnish duel reached its zenith when Hyytiäinen, in his Rolland-Pilain, executed a brilliant maneuver, passing Joni Lindholm to reclaim the lead. Lindholm momentarily slipped to third, then fought back valiantly to second position. Pit stops continued to play a crucial role, with Lumbago and Paul von Rosen among those making stops that affected their track position. Rui Lazaro, in his Rolland-Pilain, steadily climbed to a commendable fifth place.

When the chequered flag finally fell, it was Hyytiäinen from Finland, driving a french car, who emerged as the triumphant victor, crossing the line in first place. The crowd roared as Nurmi, also from Finland, secured a well-deserved second place. The third spot on the podium was claimed by Ville Korkiakoski from Finland, completing a remarkable showcase of Finnish talent.

The final standings reflected a hard-fought contest:

Thus concludes another thrilling chapter in the Golden Era Championship, proving once more the enduring spirit of motor racing!

Race broadcast: