Tripple Thriller Chiller – Hamburg Season’s Finale
WHEN STUDIO GLEIS 7 TURNS ORANGE
Old industrial building turned into a photography studio. Meticulously painted black, its steel roof structure contrasts with the remaining parts of the space. Walls, floors and all other elements of four separate rooms were painted white – simply for practical reasons, to enable artists visualise whatever their creative minds come up with. A carte blanche. It worked well that one night in November, too, when Rennmeister knocked their heads together with Emil Pourkian from Emil’s Garage to wrap up the season in the warmth of orange.
Such a set-up is no news and Rennmeister is well known for setting up similar pop-up events all around the automotive world. They were present last year in Berlin to close the season, followed-up by the HFMSTRS party during the car week at Como and eventually, they brought the orange cars closer to wider public at Ultrace in Wroclaw. Having missed all these, I was excited to jump on the train to Hamburg to close the season under the famous deer sign.
A RENNMEISTER GALORE
Rennmeister’s collection of race cars is vast and well established among classic racing enthusiasts and for good reasons. Therefore, the selection displayed at Studio Gleis 7 could not disappoint!
The most prominent photo room named Hummel adopted two Porsches – 962 Group C and Porsche 935. Lit with powerful studio gel-lamps they simply formed the best possible foreground to the “Planet Rennmeister” short movie displayed behind. My favourite of the two? Hands down the 962! Produced in 1989 and powered by 3.2-litre turbo engine it could go as fast as 400 kmph. Insane! What surprised me, when I hopped into it the day before, was how comfortable the cockpit was… well, after one manages to get in over a wide gas tank located in the door sill.
A narrow corridor walk away, visitors could admire a sportscar located on rather the opposite end of the spectrum. I knew this 1971 Abarth 695 EsseEsse from my quick visit at Amici & Automobili at Villa Erba, but here, lit with neons all around, it looked much more spectacular. In a room adjacent to it, Rennmeister displayed the BMW 320 Group 5. If there was one trait of this car to admire it could only be its aerodynamics – just look at this suspended front splitter! Completing the pack was Volkswagen Golf I in rally spec, making for the perfect beamer shelf to project yet another animation prepared for this evening.
DANCING WITH THE DEER
More than anything, the “Racecars after Dark” event was a social occasion. About 250 visitors gathered to celebrate their common passion in Hamburg out of whom many, just as I did, came from abroad. The DJ was on fire and to cool the heat, what other cold drinks could have been served than those based on Jägermeister’s famous liquor? But there was much more to it!
Those in need of racing thrills sparked by the sight of all the racing vehicles around could put their skills to test. There were two simulators set-up, enabling guests to either race against the clock or… duel a friend in a head-to-head event. Emotions peaked! Whilst I didn’t queue to test myself at the track, I enjoyed catching up with friends, whom I haven’t see for a while. Others followed suit. All around, the chatter was loud, and dancefloor crowded with those bidding farewell to the 2023 car season.
LOVELY GOODBYE TO THE SEASON
The electronic music continued well past midnight and it was extremely difficult to call it a night. As guests slowly headed off – either to their hotels or to continue the party in the magnificent city of Hamburg – five Jägermeister-liveried cars could rest. The spotlight was eventually lifted, after putting yet another brilliant show. Where will they attract their audience next? Let’s find out in 2024!
Text & Photos: Adam Pekala ©
