Tuning trauma or endless fun? The Airport Days in Lärz!

Tuning trauma or endless fun? The Airport Days in Lärz!

In Lärz, a picturesque community on the Mecklenburg Lake District, many tuning fans and motorsport enthusiasts gathered last weekend. The organizer Jan Schumacher invited people to the now popular “Airport Days” event, which this year attracted over 1,000 visitors and 120 drivers. In brilliant weather, Stephan Jablonski, among others, presented his impressively souped-up, black vintage car “Dodge Charger” from 1970. With its 650 hp, it not only makes the hearts of car enthusiasts beat faster, but also shows the passionate commitment that is invested in such vehicles.

Jablonski, who bought the car in a battered condition over ten years ago, invested more than 100,000 euros in converting it. This is evidence of the passion of many tuners who often work on American classics such as the Dodge Charger, Chevrolet Camaro or Ford Mustang. The specialized workshops, such as Custom Kingz Performance, offer a wide range of conversions, from small modifications to complete vehicle conversions. Here, emphasis is placed on unique pieces that flatter the owner and are individual.

Environment and safety in focus

“Airport Days” aims to provide legal racing opportunities while avoiding illegal street racing. The event uses an officially approved motorsport race track and works closely with the authorities. In order to increase the feeling of security, in addition to security personnel, the fire department and rescue services are also on site. Jan Schumacher emphasizes that there are also rules regarding environmental impact, such as the ban on oil changes during the event - even if the fun factor is the top priority.

A current study by the German Motor Sport Federation (DMSB) examines the environmental impact of motorsport events and comes to the conclusion that the majority of greenhouse gas emissions are not caused by the racing activities themselves, but by visitor traffic. In fact, motorsport activities only account for five to eight percent of emissions, while up to 80 percent comes from spectators. This shows that motorsport has a relatively low environmental impact compared to other major events, which DMSB President Wolfgang Wagner-Sachs also emphasizes.

A feast for tuning fans

In the evening, the participants had their money's worth in the “Money Race”, a crowd puller that provided additional excitement. For many tuning enthusiasts, the event is not only a place of competition, but also a meeting place to meet like-minded people and exchange ideas about their passion.

Overall, it shows that tuning and the passion for individual vehicles are also very popular in Northern Germany. Events like the “Airport Days” are an important component in promoting this passion and at the same time strengthening the sense of responsibility in motorsport.