For one summer afternoon, the piazza outside Audi Forum Neckarsulm becomes a rolling museum.
On July 11, the ADAC Heidelberg Historic rally will make its annual stop at Audi’s Neckarsulm campus, bringing approximately 200 classic automobiles through the heart of one of Germany’s most important automotive destinations. For visitors, it offers a rare opportunity to see everything from pre-war machines to post-war sports cars and rally legends in motion rather than parked behind ropes.
The Heidelberg Historic has earned a reputation as one of Germany’s premier historic motoring events. Beginning at the Technik Museum Sinsheim, the route winds through the scenic countryside of Baden-Württemberg before arriving at Neckarsulm, where spectators can gather along the Audi Forum piazza as entrants pass through between approximately 1:20 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Audi Tradition has long supported the rally and will mark the 50th anniversary of the brand’s legendary five-cylinder engine by entering two significant vehicles from its collection. One is a second-generation Audi 100, the model that introduced Audi’s first five-cylinder powerplant. The other is the Audi quattro, the all-wheel-drive coupe that transformed both rallying and Audi’s future.
Yet the rally is only part of the attraction.
Inside the Audi Forum, visitors can experience the final days of the special exhibition Generations of Performance, which traces the development of the Audi R8 from racing prototype to road-going supercar. The exhibition closes following the Heidelberg Historic weekend, making this one of the last opportunities to see it.
Motorsport enthusiasts will also find a connection between Audi’s past and present through Grand Prix Icons, an exhibition by artist Uli Ehret. The collection explores Formula 1 history from the 1950s to today, highlighted by a large-scale depiction of the Audi R26 Formula 1 car. Original paintings and signed prints from notable drivers are also on display.
What makes the event particularly appealing is how naturally it combines multiple facets of automotive culture. Visitors can watch historic rally cars arrive throughout the afternoon, explore Audi’s heritage exhibits, view Formula 1-inspired artwork and enjoy lunch or coffee without ever leaving the grounds.
For travelers already exploring southern Germany’s automotive attractions, Neckarsulm makes a convenient addition to an itinerary that might also include the nearby Technik Museum Sinsheim, the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart or the Mercedes-Benz Museum. On Heidelberg Historic weekend, however, the Audi Forum becomes a destination in its own right.
Visitor Information
Event: ADAC Heidelberg Historic at Audi Forum Neckarsulm
Date: Saturday, July 11, 2026
Location: Audi Forum Neckarsulm, NSU-Straße 1, 74172 Neckarsulm, Germany
Opening Hours: 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Rally Vehicle Passage: Approximately 1:20 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Admission: Free
Parking: On-site parking garage available at Audi Forum Neckarsulm
Dining: Nuvolari restaurant and café located adjacent to the piazza
Nearby Attractions:
- Technik Museum Sinsheim (approximately 25 minutes)
- Stuttgart city center (approximately one hour)
- Porsche Museum, Stuttgart
- Mercedes-Benz Museum, Stuttgart
Best For: Classic car enthusiasts, Audi fans, Formula 1 followers and travelers exploring Germany’s automotive heartland.