From Passion to Revolution: The Journey to Roarington
11 October 2025 2 min read 4 images
Never before has the world changed as fast as it has in recent years. Driven by new technologies, this transformation has reshaped lives everywhere — creating new habits, new experiences, and new horizons.
Roarington offers a fascinating example of how genuine passion can grow — step by step — into a movement that connects tradition and innovation in a rapidly evolving world.
At the heart of every great story stands a man with something extra. For Fritz Kaiser, that spark ignited in 1986, when he entered the world of motorsport through the German Touring Car Championship (DTM). Responsible for the marketing of this series his ambition was to understand the deeper potential of a world he loved — that of motor racing.
A few years later came the next big leap: Formula One. As co-owner and chairman of the Swiss Sauber Formula 1 Team, Kaiser saw the untapped opportunities of a sport that was already global, yet not fully expressing its power as a communication platform. In 1994, long before the digital era, he helped shape a new future: bringing Red Bull into Formula 1 and opening the door for Ferrari to supply engines to other teams. These bold moves didn’t just change Formula 1 — they convinced Kaiser that the automobile, in all its forms, deserved to be reimagined on a broader stage.
If manufacturers compete fiercely on the track, why not unite those who love them?
In 2013, Kaiser founded The Classic Car Trust (TCCT) with the idea of connecting enthusiasts through shared values — history, authenticity, and culture — and of giving the automobile of the past a future in a fast-moving world. Soon, The Key magazine was born, alongside international forums and seminars exploring the future of classic motoring. TCCT’s presence at events such as the 1000 Miglia highlighted how digital culture and realistic driving simulations were transforming the way people engage with cars.
That vision led to a daring idea: creating classic car simulators — faithful not only in driving feel but also in design. To achieve this, Kaiser turned to two of Italy’s legendary coachbuilders: Pininfarina and Zagato.
By 2020, despite the challenges of the pandemic, the project took off. The first limited-edition Leggenda simulator by Pininfarina sold for an impressive CHF 192,000 at RM Sotheby’s St. Moritz auction in 2021, confirming that a new era had begun.
The world was starting to talk about the Metaverse — sometimes with too much enthusiasm, perhaps, but clearly pointing toward a near future of digital presence. In 2021, the first version of the Roarington platform was tested. Step by step, as Kaiser always says, progress must be built with purpose.
In 2022, Roarington introduced the first digital twins of iconic classic cars, allowing enthusiasts to experience automotive heritage in a completely new dimension. Momentum grew quickly.
By 2024, Turin’s Museo Nazionale dell’Automobile (MAUTO) joined Roarington, presenting digital versions of legendary models such as the Fiat Turbina and Lancia D24. Soon after, Mercedes-Benz followed with its Classic Division and Museum, further expanding Roarington’s world.
As Roarington evolved, it began to attract icons who share its vision. Among them is Formula 1 World Champion Kimi Räikkönen, who joined as a Roarington Ambassador.
In 2025, Roarington’s journey took another milestone turn with the 1000 Miglia Digital Experience, bringing “the most beautiful race in the world” into a digital realm — complete with timed trials and training for classic regularity racing.
Forty years after Fritz Kaiser first stepped into the world of racing, everything around him has changed — except his clarity of purpose. He still believes in blending the joy of passion with the discipline of vision. And, as Roarington continues its journey, one thing is certain: this revolution has only just begun.
👉 To read the full story, order The Key 2024/2025 here: The Key 2024/2025
