byc Franz J. Sauer
Eight stages, 900 kilometres through four federal states, fragmented into 50 exciting special stages, which also include two airfield competitions and five laps of the Red Bull Ring GP circuit in Spielberg: The 32nd edition of the Ennstal-Classic from 17 to 20 July is definitely not just a coffee run for the automotive gems.
With new highlights and tried-and-tested stops, the 2024 Ennstal-Classic route once again shines with sophistication, beauty and entertainment. As usual, the Ennstal-Classic explores the limits of what is possible with the cars of yesteryear on the roads of today, with unrivalled special stages that demand a lot from both driver and navigator. Special attention was also paid to the feasibility for pre-war vehicles when planning the route this year, which included adapting the sections between 30, 40 and 50 km/h to the respective special stage. But first things first:
Thursday, 18 July: Prologue
The four stages of the first day lead from the start ramp in Gröbming over the Radstädter Tauern to the traditional stage town of Mauterndorf, from where the route continues over the wonderful Turrach – a pass with a long tradition in historic motorsport – to Carinthia, via Hochrindl and Gurk to Taggenbrunn for a lunch break. The afternoon brings the special stages at the ÖAMTC site in Mölbling/St. Veit an der Glan and at the Red Bull Ring, where you set your own target time within 5 laps after a short stop in the paddock. The route then leads in the atmospheric evening light over the Sölk Pass back to Schladming, where the first day of riding ends after around 430 kilometres.
Friday, 19 July: Marathon
Starting again in Gröbming, the second day of the EC 2024 leads to Gmunden for the first time, where the historic vehicles visit the Toscana Park and linger on the wonderful peninsula in Lake Traunsee. The route then continues over challenging stages on small side roads to Steyr, one of the stage highlights of the entire event for the 16th time, where a record number of spectators were again counted last year. From Steyr, the route continues via Waidhofen and Ybbsitz to the easternmost town on the route and the fourth federal state: Lunz am See in Lower Austria. Back over the Wildalpen and through the Gesäuse, two special airfield stages follow one after the other: first at Trieben Airfield, then at Niederöblarn Alpine Airfield, where the route then heads back to Gröbming after around 450 kilometres.
Saturday: 20 July: Final
The first item on the programme on Saturday morning has also been a tradition for several years now: the mountain stage on the Stoderzinken. Afterwards, the works of art made of sheet metal and petrol, along with some special exhibits, will gather for the Porsche Design Grand Prix in Gröbming before the winner of the Ennstal-Classic 2024 is determined in the final stage. The last few years have been full of suspense, with the result always decided in the final metres.
The new measuring procedure, which was practised for the first time last year, has become established and has massively increased the number of special stages, a long-cherished wish of many participants. And this year, as already mentioned, the cutting speeds will be sensitively readjusted to ensure equal opportunities for all participants from all age groups as far as possible.
The anticipation is great, the preparations are underway, we are looking forward to driving in the last paradise from 17 to 20 July at the Ennstal-Classic 2024.