The Trabant Lada Racing Cup (TLRC) was founded in 1993 by the ex-racing driver and engine tuner Helmut Assman, with the object of preserving the existing technical skills of East German motor racing. At the same time the TLRC offered the possibility of running a recognized motor sport at very reasonable cost. With the 601, the cup therefore carried on the touring car racing that had enjoyed such great popularity in the former GDR.
Stefan Romhild, East German cart champion and runner-up in the German Touring Car Trophy of 1994, has applied himself to motor sports successfully since 1978. Having entered his white Trabant 601 (approx 75 bhp) in the TLRC since the year 2000, he ended the 2004 season as overall champion. In 2005 he battled for the TLRC runner-up title, but in the following seasons he has taken time out for family reasons