Hockenheim, Germany - Police in the western German city of Hockenheim broke up an illegal car-racing meeting taking place overnight at the famous Hockenheimring, home to the German Grand Prix, officials said Sunday. A local resident informed police of the race, in which some 100 people with 43 cars were competing under the cover of darkness.
The participants had apparently arranged the race meeting via the internet and mobile phones, and police said that such events regularly took place. Now the drivers as well as spectators will likely face a heavy fine.
The Hockenheimring is a 4.5-kilometre racetrack on almost completely flat ground. It was opened in 1932, and the circuit now hosts the German Grand Prix on alternating years. The last Formula One race there, in 2008, was won by British driver Lewis Hamilton.
