6.8.11

The rising sun behind the Ennstal mountains gains strength and emits first sunbeams on Gröbming, you hear already the roar of a Buick Speedster. Another participant has even stopped trying to sleep and has taken his 8 liter Rolls Royce Open Tourer Phantom and takes his tour through the village, but… a little more quietly. For many the countdown for the 19th Ennstal Classic has started… at 09:00 am it begins with the hillclimb of the Stoderzinken. “Meine Damen und Herren …, starten Sie ihre Maschinen zum Autofahren zum Autofahren im Letzten Paradies…!”. - "Ladies and Gentlemen…, start your engines to drive in the last Paradise!”.

The year before last a change was made in route and program, then again last and yet again this. Please no more worsening! The formerly driven marathon of 430 miles through the High mountain region of the Ennstal was changed in approx. 315 miles in the same area, with a few route changes. Still a long ride, especially through the mountains with the hairpins and passes. Think of a Lagonda M 35R Le Mans Special or a Bentley 6 speed, weighing well over 1,500 kg. With all those curves, hairpins, a blue sky and 32 degrees, with torrential rain and hail or slippery through eroded mud and temperatures below 10 degrees… Then driving an Ennstal Classic becomes heroic…

Preparations…

With a contribution of over 40 cars the Italian beauties were well represented by Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Fiat, Iso and our beloved Ferrari. So…, with all the other brands there was plenty to enjoy! For instance during scruteneering on Tuesday and Wednesday, where everything is carefully checked and monitored, because no digital or other modern equipment is allowed. Some specials demand attention like the Puch 700 C, a Colani GT Osaca Maserati 1600 GT Zagato and last but not least an Allard MI. Thursday all participants and their cars are checked and approved… Let the latest tour in “The Last Paradise” begin!

The Hillclimb - Stoderzinken…

At 08:00am the mountain road was closed to the public, one hour later also for press. The Ennstal Classic always starts with this special stage, this year the participants drive up this misty mountain with rain and climb to 1,750 meters fortunately with no oncoming traffic.... apart from a flying biker…  Nearly all participants passed without trouble (1 car had to stop: no oil) and once all cars were at the top, ranking was determined before all cars went down again to continue with the Prologue starting with a special stage: going down in a certain time. After that they would visit the A1 Ring circuit to do two laps and after that they would return to Gröbming taking the nature Nockalm. Expected at 20:00pm in Gröbming after 386 km. After the two special stages on de Stoderzinken mountain Ferrari - as it should- had the lead with a Ferrari Dino 246 GT, but after the full prologue it dropped to the third place. This also applies to the second place -a Triumph TR 4, which is superseded by the Citroën SM Maserati Rallye.

The Marathon

Early dawn is there alright, but diminished by heavy dark clouds that float menacingly towards Gröbming. Surrounded by the Stoderzinken (2,047mtr), the Kammspitz (2,139mtr), the Schrettenkarspitz (1,852mtr) and various primeval forests, many rain showers are originated here. The day of the marathon has come; 511km or 430 miles divided in 2 rounds: the Hoher Dachstein, and so called Salzkammergut, next one round through the National Park Oberösterreichische, Limestone Alps and Sensengebirge Ennstaler Alps, before they finish in Schladming.

It drizzles and it doesn’t take long before the first pre-war classics pass. After one hour drizzling is over and is it raining cats and dogs. Rainwear, umbrellas and above all an indestructible temper make for even more great shots. The last car passes around half past ten: #224 Citroën DS21 Pallas… a very luxurious way of driving the Ennstal Classic.

In the Upper Austrian Limestone Alps the first pre-war cars quietly are awaited when they return from Steyer on the way to Rottenmann. Stylishly the yellow Ferrari Dino 246 GT, with Alois Heidenbauer, takes the road to the Castle and finishes that day talking third place. #201 the Volvo 123GT (1969 - 1.8ltr - 105hp) takes the first place while Ingo Glatter in his Mini Cooper S (#219, 1972 - 1.3ltr - 80hp) becomes second. But…, the battle isn’t over yet !

The Ennstal VIPs

Every year again the Saturday is for the spectators. Then in Gröbming a spectacle takes off that is unprecedented. In front of the big white tent just outside the village all the demonstration cars are warming up and showed to the people and press. Dozens of photographers and TV crews are busy to get every detail. Next this whole show is moved to the main square of the village, where the stands are built and the spectators are waiting agitated. Then the demo-cars drive slowly into the main street and people stand up applause sounds, engines roar and the speakers crack…  First of all Sir Stirling Moss enters in a Ferrari 750 Monza (owner and co-driver is Richard Frankel) and all the media surround him, taking pictures and asking him questions. He loves it… Also present were Nigel Mansell (Porsche 908 / 3 - 1970 of Dr. Ulrich Schumacher), Dieter Quester (Hansa Borgward RS 1500 form 1958 of Walter Degelsegger), Dr. Helmut Marko (Porsche 911 GT1 - 1998 enterd by the Porsche Museum), Maria Teresa de Fillipis (Maserati 200SI - 1956 of Nicola Sculco), Egon Hofer (Iso-Bizzarini - 1965 and he owns it too). Furthermore there’s an Abarth 1000SP (1965), a MB 190E 2.3-16 (1988), a Cooper Climax T43 Formel 2 (1957), the Techno 1/PA123 Formel (1972), a Triumph TR2 Le Mans Car Works (1955) driven by Rauna Aaltonen, Formel Super Vau Kaimann 1600 (1972) and last on, with loud shouts encouragement: the Mercedes Simplex 40 PS from 1902 in the Mercedes Benz Museum with Jochen Mass at the wheel and poker. We thank these special guests with applause and… the Chopard Grand Prix can begin!

The Chopard Grand Prix

A small blond boy squeezes his head through the -with sponsor sheets sealed - deposits and licks greedily from his ice cream ... suddenly the first contestant Michael Göttsche Bebert in his Alfa Romeo Targa Florio (1924) leaves the launch stage and stabs the throttle on and off... in the "off" a bang and a dropped ice cream. Disappointed, the boy looks at the ground and casts an angry look toward the Alfa Romeo, which flew around the next corner ... in the distance you hear the engine roar with delight 3.5 liters, while the seconds one by one with deadly accuracy tick by... !

The Grand Prix has begun and one by one for the participants pass: Alfa, Buick, Chrysler, Alfa, Alfa, Rolls, Lagonda, Bentley, Bentley, Sunbeam, Talbot, MG, Alvis, Bugatti, BMW, Jaguar, Veritas, Triumph, Fiat , Morgan, Allard, Lancia, Ferrari, Bugatti, Ferrari, Maserati ... loosely translated: enjoy! Oh yes ... in this list, I of course forgot a few. The oldest participating cars (2) date from 1924: Alfa Romeo Targa Florio and Buick Speedster. Biggest engine is the Rolls Royce Phantom Open Tourer: 8 liters. Most horsepower is provided by the Chevrolet Corvette: 427bhp.

A staggering spectacle ...

The is truly a rolling Automotive Museum because what beauties are entered again, both in the pre-war section as some new models. Set in Gröming and Schladming (finish on Friday), this event is free for everyone and now it partly can compete with the Tour Auto and Mille Miglia. KR Alois Heidenbauer and Mag. Birgit Heidenbauer in de Ferrari 246 Dino GT won the 19th Ennstal Classic, followed by Reinhard Huemer en Dr. Doris Huemer also with a Ferrari Dino 246 GT.

Third place was taken by the former Ennstal Classic winner (2009) Dr. Karsten & Monika Wohlenberg with a Mercedes Benz 230 SL. The finishing ceremony takes place at the starting stage and the champagne sprays in all directions. The smiling faces say it all ...! Yet in the distance you can already hear the bulldozers, the the first tents are already being taken down. Around the corner, the first tables and benches piled ... someone who wants a beer received it only after considerable insistence.

A course car is sweeping the streets and a spectator has to jump aside. The driver shrugs his shoulders ... he wants to go home ...! Every year this spectacle fascinates me immensely especially because I don’t understand it. The participants enjoy a final dinner in the VIP tent, but at half past four Gröbming is just as quiet as one week before ...

No party at the main square, no drums or beats out of large music boxes, no dancing teenagers, no giggling girls... just loose iron bars, vans and hardworking guys in orange safety jacks ... Could it be any different next year ...? Probably not, but ... you never know. Perhaps the 20th Ennstal Classic might be somewhere to party on afterwards!

Click here for a slideshow of additional pics.