Born : January 28 1944
Biography Harald Grohs
Harald “Nippel” Grohs, born on January 28, 1944, in Essen, Germany, is an iconic figure in German motorsports. With a career spanning several decades, Grohs is celebrated for his successes, versatility, and unwavering passion for racing. Though he is best known for his exploits in the Deutsche Tourenwagen-Meisterschaft (DTM), his journey began with Porsche, the brand that laid the foundation for his career and firmly established his reputation as a competitive and talented driver.
Early Life and Introduction to Motorsports
Growing up in Essen, Grohs developed a fascination with cars and speed at an early age. Like many young enthusiasts in post-war Germany, he was drawn to the burgeoning motorsports scene, which provided excitement and innovation during a time of economic recovery. Although Grohs did not hail from a racing family, his determination and natural talent quickly set him apart.
It wasn’t until 1973, at the age of 29, that Grohs entered professional motorsports. He chose to make his debut in the German Circuit Championship (Deutsche Rundstrecken-Meisterschaft), a popular national series that featured fierce competition. Grohs secured a Porsche for his rookie season, a decision that would prove to be pivotal in his racing career.
The Breakthrough with Porsche in 1973
Driving a Porsche 911, Grohs showed remarkable skill and determination in his first full season. Competing against seasoned drivers, he won an impressive four out of ten races in the championship, announcing himself as a serious contender in German motorsports. His ability to adapt quickly to the unique handling characteristics of the Porsche 911, particularly its rear-engine layout, highlighted his technical acumen and fearless driving style.
These early successes attracted attention from established teams, and Grohs’s performance led to a brief but impactful stint with the BMW Faltz Team in the same year. However, his love for Porsche remained strong, and it was clear that the iconic German brand had played a key role in shaping his early career.
Transition to Professional Racing
Building on his breakout year, Grohs continued to climb the ranks of motorsports in 1974. Aided by sponsorship from a logistics company in Essen, he competed in the Renault R5 Cup, where he achieved six victories and finished as the runner-up. While his success in the Renault series broadened his experience, Porsche continued to be a central focus in his career.
Jochen Neerpasch, the renowned racing director of BMW, noticed Grohs’s exceptional talent and arranged for him to compete in the IMSA GT Championship in the United States. This opportunity allowed Grohs to further refine his skills on international circuits, but it was in German endurance and touring car racing that he truly left his mark, often behind the wheel of a Porsche.
Porsche and the German Racing Championship
In 1975, Grohs secured his first major professional contract, marking a turning point in his career. Returning to the German Racing Championship (Deutsche Rennsport-Meisterschaft, DRM), he achieved his first victory in the series. His win came at a time when Porsche was a dominant force in the DRM, with cars like the Porsche 911 RSR and 935 redefining the limits of engineering and speed.
Grohs’s racing style – aggressive yet precise – perfectly suited the high-performance nature of Porsche’s race cars. He quickly earned a reputation as a dependable and daring driver who could consistently deliver results. This success culminated in one of the highlights of his career: a victory at the 9 Hours of Kyalami in South Africa. Partnering with future Formula 1 World Champion Jody Scheckter, Grohs proved his ability to compete at an international level.
The Evolution of Porsche in Grohs’s Career
The late 1970s and early 1980s marked a period of evolution for both Grohs and Porsche. During this time, the DRM and other championships were undergoing significant changes, with new regulations and technologies shaping the racing landscape. Grohs, ever adaptable, continued to embrace Porsche as his go-to manufacturer in both sprint and endurance events.
Porsche’s dominance in the DRM was largely attributed to the innovative 935, a turbocharged beast that became one of the most successful race cars of its era. Grohs had the privilege of piloting this machine, leveraging its immense power and aerodynamic design to compete against top rivals. His performances during this period solidified his standing as one of Germany’s premier drivers.
A Shift to Touring Cars
While Grohs’s early career was heavily intertwined with Porsche, his transition to the Deutsche Tourenwagen-Meisterschaft (DTM) in the mid-1980s marked a shift in focus. In 1984, he joined the Vogelsang Valier Team, driving a BMW 635 CSi, and achieved instant success. Grohs became the first-ever winner in DTM history, securing victory in the championship’s inaugural race at Zolder, Belgium.
Despite his success in the DTM, Grohs maintained strong ties to Porsche, often returning to the brand for special events and endurance races. His time in the DTM demonstrated his versatility, as he transitioned from Porsche’s rear-engine sports cars to the front-engine touring cars of BMW and Ford. Yet, his affinity for Porsche remained evident, particularly in classic and historic racing events.
Porsche and Classic Racing
As Grohs’s professional career began to wind down in the 1990s, his love for Porsche took on a new dimension. Embracing the world of historic and classic racing, Grohs frequently competed in events that celebrated the golden era of motorsports. Behind the wheel of vintage Porsche models, including the iconic 911 and 935, he continued to demonstrate his enduring skill and passion.
One of the defining aspects of Grohs’s career has been his ability to connect with fans and fellow racers, particularly through his association with Porsche. His participation in classic racing events allowed him to share his experiences with a new generation of enthusiasts, ensuring that his legacy remained firmly intertwined with the brand that helped launch his career.
