The Ennstal-Classic is thriving in the middle of its fourth decade and the garage gold in the starting field is becoming more valuable from year to year. This is perhaps also due to the fact that the vehicles with the traditionally lowest starting numbers automatically produce three-digit age figures as time goes by.
Legendary Bentley 3/4.5 Litre and Its Le Mans Heritage
Starting number 1 is a Bentley 3 / 4.5 litre (chassis number 687) built in 1924. The car was made famous by a legendary Le Mans victory in the same year. That victory was achieved by John Duff, a Canadian driver with Chinese roots, together with co-driver Frank Clement in an almost identical Bentley 3. Duff was a daredevil adventurer who earned his first racing experience in Fiat cars. He became a Bentley dealer in 1920 and stayed closely connected to the brand. When the factory stopped official works entries, British support helped Duff continue racing with technical backing and personnel. This effort brought significant success and greatly increased the fame of Bentley and the Model 3. Later, Duff competed in Daytona, where he also suffered a crash. In the 1930s, he changed sports, became a successful fencer, and grew wealthy. He eventually died in 1958 following a riding accident.
The Bentley with starting number 1 at the Ennstal-Classic is driven by the Ennstal-tested duo Hermann and Joseph Jöbstl.
Pre-War Icons and Historic Racing Legends at the Ennstal-Classic
A Bugatti Type 30 will start the race with starting number 2. It is also a car with a strong racing history. The Type 23 had a short chassis, with only 17 built in this configuration. This model comes from the period when Ettore Bugatti and his son Jean managed the company together. The car was initially delivered by Omina in Munich. It is documented as having competed in various private races. It later disappeared to Scandinavia. In the late 1960s, it returned to Germany via Helmut Feierabend. The Bugatti 30 set standards as the first Bugatti with four-wheel brakes. From this model onward, only Bugatti-made parts and components were used, even down to the smallest screw.
In Ennstal, the car is driven by Walter Rothlauf and Michael Schineis.
Finally,
Starting number 3 belongs to the father-son team Lach in a Bentley 3 litre Speed Model from 1923! Jonas is the successful classic car influencer Jonny’s Garage.
The starting number 6 is worn by the same car as the winner of the 1930 Mille. Two years later, at the 1932 Mille Miglia, this car finished 10th with Giovanni Cortese at the wheel, and at the 1935 Targa Florio the wild Italian beat the Alfa to 7th place overall. Marco Marani and Luca Bergamaschi will be driving this car at the Ennstal-Classic.
Further highlights of the pre-war class. A Sunbeam GP car from 1932 will take part in the event, driven by Johann and Gabi Kofler. Four BMW 328s are also on the starting list, highlighting the strength of this iconic model. One of these BMW 328s is traditionally driven by Dieter Quester and Otmar Schlager. Two Jaguar SS 100 models from 1938 will also start the race. In addition, a Buick and an Auburn will join the field. A GAZ Volga is also part of the diverse starting lineup. Finally, an AFM Type 47 will compete, driven by Roland Landerl and Marcel Amrhein.
The Ennstal-Classic will be a real feast for classic car enthusiasts. All information can be found at www.ennstal-classic.at and on our social media channels.
