Eifel Classic - Eifel tour with Horst Lichter: light effect

W he with a classic like that Jaguar Mark IX is getting used to attracting attention. The 4.99 meter long luxury sedan was finally built in 1959 to represent it. Our copy served in the household of an English lady for 50 years and was meticulously cared for by her chauffeur. Probably one of the best preserved unrestored specimens, Jaguar Germany suspects.

'Hello, I am the Horst'

But before our journey through the Eifel really begins, it will Jaguar downgraded to an extra. The main role is now taken over by a man with a distinctive mustache that is twisted upwards: 'Hello, I'm the Horst', Horst Lichter greets us and immediately makes it clear that we will stay with you. That's just how he is, the mostly good-humored Rhinelander - not least known from the cooking show 'Lafer, Lichter, delicious'.

As Lichter approaches the Mark IX, you notice that it has gasoline in its blood. The fact that he grew up not far from the Eifel in Rommerskirchen and later lived not far from the Nürburgring makes him the ideal travel guide. The car enthusiast does not have to be persuaded for long. 'I've been buying auto motor und sport since I was a child. Don't worry if I was absorbed in it and then mom or dad came and said: 'You have to mow the lawn now‘ '. Back then it was inconceivable for him to ever own a jaguar. His father drove a Goggomobile, and a local lady’s Karmann Ghia 'was a great sports car for me. When I first saw a Jaguar Mark 2, I thought the owner must be an umpteen millionaire.'

Nürburgring and currywurst belong together

But even during his apprenticeship as a chef in the Bergheim hotel-restaurant 'Alte Post', what he imagined was the 'fastest limousine in the world' played an important role: teacher Lutz Winter owned a copy. 'I had to clean the spoke rims every Wednesday.' The passion for British cars apparently solidified, although it is now exceeded by the love for Ferrari.

It goes without saying that Horst will take the wheel of the stylish limousine into his own hands at the meeting in the old paddock of the Nürburgring. In the run-up to the Eifel Classic, we want to explore the region around the Nordschleife and not skip the delicacies of the area. 'What we definitely have to try is a trout miller on a trout farm.' But first Horst wants itfor a hearty meal. 'A trip to the Nürburgring shouldn't miss a currywurst.' No sooner said than done: In Müllenbach in the “Zum Alten Maier” bistro, less than five minutes from the Ring, it should be particularly good. When entering the pub, the guests and staff get excited by the prominent visitor. It immediately gives the feeling as if old friends were meeting here.

You can tell: The guy from the television doesn't matter, he's just in a good mood. The contact with people was also what moved him to open his 'Oldiethek' restaurant in his home town in 1995. There he stood by the coal stove in the middle of the dining room. Working behind closed doors in the kitchen - unthinkable for him. The 'Oldiethek' has been history since last year. Lichter concentrates on his work on television and on stage.

Lichter loves and lives classic cars and motorcycles

After a hearty meal and various autographs, the tour continues north towards the Ahr Valley . Shortly after the Hohe Acht we turn left to Jammelshofen. Lights used to live here. On the winding road, he remembers how at the beginning he always crept into the valley with his Ferrari 330 at walking pace so as not to annoy anyone with the sound of the V12. 'But one day an old Eifel farmer asked me: 'Can he or he will not?‘ That was the starting signal for me. '

In Jammelshofen, motorcycle fans will find around 200 racing motorcycles and cars in the Classic Race Museum. A stopover is worthwhile. “The road is a dream, isn't it?” Although he usually prefers the sporty British, Horst becomes more and more friends with the Mark IX and is already planning picnic tours with his wife Nada. Every now and then the tires warn with a quiet whimper to a more cautious driving style, but the ambience inside with red leather and wood spoils the occupants at any speed. The dignified style often forms a stark contrast to the surroundings next to the street.

The Eifel is often deserted, stately houses are rare. People once got by more badly than rightly with agriculture and forestry. You can find prosperity especially on the fringes like in the Ahr valley. Looking at the casino, Horst remembers a Christmas party with his employees over ten years ago: 'Everyone had a Christmas bonus of 500 marks in their pockets, and then we went to the casino. But the only one who sat down at a gaming table was me. I lost 50 marks, that caused trouble at home. '

A visit to the pistenklause is a must

We roll further west along the banks of the Ahr. The 223 hp 3.8 liter six-cylinder runs smoothly. The craggy, steep cliffs on which the vines grow make the work in the vineyards a laborious business, but the result can be seen and tastedto let. In Dernau we convince ourselves of this at the Meyer-Näkel winery. The region is known for its red wine. Winemaker Werner Näkel pours an Frühburgunder. 'Delicious', praises Horst the light red wine.

Towards evening we are approaching the Nürburgring again. Dinner in the 'Pistenklause' in Nürburg is a compulsory exercise. It is not primarily the Italian cuisine or the steak from the hot stone that attracts the numerous visitors, but the legendary reputation of the restaurant as a meeting place for racing drivers. The walls and ceilings are full of memories of motorsport icons. Whether Lauda, ​​Senna, Häkkinen or Mansell: everyone was already there. 'Only Vettel hasn't made it yet,' grins host Patrizio Persiani and asks Horst at the same time to immortalize himself on the ceiling.

Worth seeing: Bad Münstereifel

The cockpit bar in the Hotel Dorint welcomes its guests similarly crammed full of souvenirs. Barman Marko Orsolic - behind the counter for eleven years - knows how to serve up an anecdote for almost every piece. But it doesn't last long in the bar, after all, the next morning we still have a few kilometers to go. Contrary to expectations, the sun is shining over the Nordschleife - not a familiar sight in spring. Today we are heading northwest. We let ourselves drift, Horst repeatedly steers the Jaguar onto small side streets. Soon we will reach Bad Münstereifel.

The pretty half-timbered town invites you to stroll through the pedestrian zone. However, many shop windows are currently empty. The city is in a state of upheaval, as Alexandra Welter, boss of the cozy restaurant 'En de Höll', located by the city wall, explains. Flagship stores of famous fashion labels are to move in here and bring wealthy visitors back to the city, which, like many other spas, suffers from the absence of spa guests. Horst sees a hat maker shop, but it's closed today. 'It's a shame, I would have found something there.'

Two teenagers approach the car: 'Sorry, aren't you the cook?' A gray-haired man calls out: 'Anne, look who's there.' Our celebrity always reacts in a good mood. 'It's easier in life when you meet people in a friendly manner.' Around noon, the issue of trout miller returns to the agenda. But so far we haven't discovered a corresponding pond with a restaurant on the roadside.

The Jaguar Mark IX would fit well into Lichter's collection

We decide to try our luck at Nideggen Castle. The restaurant 'A la Heiliger' should not only offer a view but also excellent cuisine. On arrival the disappointment: Trout is not on the menu today. Horst spontaneously decides on beef goulash. Even if he admires gourmet chefs for their art, he prefers down-to-earth dishes: 'It's similar toin modern supercars - great cars, but you always have to be fully involved. In contrast, driving in the E-Type is pure enjoyment for me, it has charm and is somehow more honest. '

Nevertheless, he does not want to do without technical progress.' If people had not broken new ground, we would still chasing mammoths with the club. '

Shortly before the end of our trip, Horst took the Jaguar into his heart' It drives fantastic, I have to say that as an automatic opponent myself. It sounds wonderful . I would even buy it. ' In addition to the E- and C-Type, the Mark IX would be in good hands in the garage in Horst's new home in the Black Forest.

Tips for trips in the Eifel

The Eifel doesn't just offer the green one Hell and winding streets, but also culinary delights

• Dorint Hotel at the Nürburgring: The traditional four-star hotel right on the track houses the cockpit bar covered with souvenirs. Trademark : the white glove and a glass of 'Eifelgeist'. Info: www.dorint.com
• Lindner Congress & Motorsport Hotel: Since The four-star Hotel Lindner and the adjoining Eifeldorf Green Hell (three stars) offer another overnight accommodation right on the ring. Info: www.lindner.de
• Hotel and Restaurant Rieder: For many the institution on the Ring: many racing drivers stay at 'Mutter Rieder' in Wiesemscheid. Meat fans get their money's worth with chef Uli Rieder. The 'Nordschleife' grill plate is almost legendary. The prices are down to earth like the food. Info: www.hotel-rieder.de
• Agnesen-Hof: Originally used as a farm, the building in Barweiler, which is over 100 years old, now houses a very stylish, cozy hotel. Info: www.agnesen-hof.de
• Restaurant Pistenklause: The restaurant in Nürburg is part of the Nürburgring cult, and not just because of the hot stone steak. The Italian restaurant is full of pictures, autographs and devotional objects from the history of the Nürburgring. Info: www.amtiergarten.de
• Restaurant En de Höll: Hinter the city wall of Bad Münstereifel is where the cozy restaurant is located. The menu includes regional as well as seasonal dishes. Info: www.en-de-hoell.eu
• A la saint : The restaurant in Nideggen Castle mainly offers seasonal dishes as well as hearty snacks and cakes. Info: www.al-la-heiliger.de
• Weingut Meyer-Näkel : The winery is known for itsPinot Noir. Werner and Claudia Näkel run it together with their daughters Meike and Dörte in Dernau. Info: www.meyer-naekel.de
• Steinheuer : Friends of Bad Neuenahr-Heppingen gets their money's worth with gourmet cuisine. The restaurant has been awarded two Michelin stars. Info: www.steinheuers.de
• Sanct Peter: Brogsitters Sanct Peter Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler offers something for every palate in five restaurants. Info: www.sanct-peter.de
• Milz Bakery : About beyond the borders of the Eifel, the bakery in Marmagen is known for its farmer's bread baked according to a traditional recipe with a natural sour part. Info: Tel. 02486/1484 or milz-eifeler-brot@web.de