The starting list for the 32nd edition of the Ennstal-Classic, which invites you to drive over 900 kilometres in the last paradise from 18 to 20 July, is complete. 182 teams from 12 nations, representing a total of 40 car brands, will start in Gröbming. Start numbers 1 and 2 are celebrating a milestone birthday: they turned 100 this year.
Well-known Ennstal cracks such as Peter Spak, Dieter Quester, Richard Lietz, Strietzel Stuck and, of course, last year’s winner Helmut Schramke will be competing on the Ennstal-Classic route again in 2024. Car enthusiast Mat Schuh will start for the second time, as will classic car influencer Jonas “Jonnys Garage” Lach. Ex-Formula 1 driver David Brabham, son of the legendary Jack Brabham, will once again do the honours this year, as will the winner of the cabaret prize and man of 1000 voices Alex Kristan, World Rally Champion Andi Aigner and 2023 DTM Champion Thomas Preining. A total of 182 teams will take on the 900 kilometres of special stages, time trials, mountain classifications, but above all the finest and most beautiful scenery in the heart of Austria.
The Ennstal-Classic stands for sportiness, for challenge, for passion and species-appropriate motoring. When planning the route this year, special attention was paid to the feasibility for pre-war vehicles, which included adapting the sections between 30, 40 and 50 km/h to the respective special stage. These are as follows:
Thursday, 18 July: Prologue
The first day includes four stages starting from the ramp in Gröbming. The route leads over the Radstätter Tauern to the stage town of Mauerndorf. It continues over the Turrach, Hochrindl, and Gurk to Taggenbrunn. In the afternoon, special stages take place in Mölbling/St. Veit an der Glan. Another special stage is held at the Red Bull Ring. In the evening light, riders return over the Sölk Pass toward Schladming. The first day ends in Schladming after around 430 kilometres.
Friday, 19 July: Marathon
The second day begins with a special airfield stage in Niederöblarn. It continues via Pürgg, the “cot of Styria,” toward Gmunden for the first time. In Gmunden, the vehicles stop at Toscana Park on Lake Traunsee. The route then leads to Steyr, a highlight of the event for the 16th time. It continues via Waidhofen and Ybbsitz eastward to Lunz am See in Lower Austria. The return route passes through Göstling, Hieflau, the Gesäuse, and Kaiserau. Another special airfield stage takes place at Airfield Trieben. From there, riders return to Gröbming after around 420 kilometres.
Saturday: 20 July: Grande Finale
As always, the first item on the programme on Saturday morning is the Stoderzinken hill climb. 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 anticipation is great, the preparations are in full swing, we are looking forward to driving in the last paradise from 17 to 20 July at the Ennstal-Classic 2024.
