“Our goal was to bring motorsport back to the way it used to be.“

The Background Story of the Ennstal-Classic
by Helmut Zwickl

It was a foggy evening in the Ardennes town of Hockey near Spa-Francorchamps, September 1992. Michael Glöckner, my photographer, and I endured another frustrating day in F1’s “little world of circus monkeys,” with him annoyed by restricted zones and me by barriers, closed drivers, and the rigid system. We sensed where Formula 1 was heading: away from the fans and toward a politically controlled money machine. That evening, we made the decision to make motorsport tangible again – with the cars of the past, on the roads of today. And just like that, the name was born: Ennstal-Classic.

Starting point was to be Gröbming, where Michael Glöckner served as head of tourism. By then, the Ennstal had become my second home, since I set up my gliding HQ at Niederöblarn airfield in 1974.
Then there was this conversation with Walter Röhrl: “We are organizing the Ennstal-Classic and we want you. We can’t pay any entry fee.” Walter, the great one, smiled gently: “If at my age I had to rely on entry fees, I would have done something wrong in my career…”
He never does anything wrong and won the first Ennstal-Classic in 1993 in his Austin Healey, with his wife Monika alongside.

The First Participants and Legends

At the start, 35 cars lined up, including Karl Wendlinger, Dieter Quester, a certain Dietrich Mateschitz, and Austria’s most successful rally driver, Franz Wittmann.

In 1994, during the second year of the Ennstal-Classic, Sir Stirling Moss appeared for the first time in Gröbming with his wife Susie. We were all in awe—Stirling Moss was destined to become the figurehead of the Ennstal-Classic. The couple swear: “The Ennstal is the most beautiful rally in the world for us.” On his debut, he aquaplaned in a Mercedes-Benz 300SL Coupé across the rain-soaked Österreichring. Just three kilometers away, 34 years earlier, he had won the Formula 2 race at Zeltweg in Rob Walker’s Porsche ahead of Hans Herrmann.

The First Women’s Victory

The 2nd Ennstal-Classic in 1994 concluded with the only victory to date by a female team: Jutta Roschmann and Nicole Neukunft won in a BMW 507, ahead of Franz Wittmann and Jörg Pattermann in my Lamborghini Islero, while Stirling and Susie Moss finished ninth. Ing. Peter Falk, the legendary Porsche racing director, served as a valuable advisor in the early years.

«Alfred Neubauer Trophäe»

In 1996, the «Alfred Neubauer Trophy» was awarded for the first time to the overall winner—a prize the legendary Mercedes team manager had personally given to drivers like John Surtees, Jim Clark, Jackie Stewart, Jochen Rindt, and Niki Lauda. Unlike the Mille Miglia, the Ennstal-Classic runs through the Alps’ quiet roads, testing brakes rather than overheating engines in city traffic.

The Ennstal-Classic Sets Standards

In 1996, the variety of car types was greater than ever, and we allowed 94 starters. Demand far exceeded supply. Our philosophy became the foundation of the Ennstal’s success: we are advocates of pure, sporting driving without split-time calculations or computer aids. This is no casual tour, no math test, and no skill competition. A general average speed of 50 km/h applies, to be maintained in the special stages between secretly positioned light barriers down to the hundredth of a second.
The Ennstal-Classic pushes the limits of what vintage cars can achieve on today’s roads. Brand diversity matters: these are special cars that once set technical and sporting benchmarks and are now considered cult objects.

From the first Ennstal in 1993 to the 20th edition in 2012, all eligible cars had to be built before December 31, 1972. Mechanical watches with analog displays are mandatory; electronic sensor devices are prohibited.

Legends on the Track

In 1997, Walter Röhrl, alongside co-driver Peter Falk in a Porsche 356, claimed his second Ennstal victory. The following year, Rauno Aaltonen and Mike Höll secured the overall win in a BMW 2002Ti. In the years that followed, the late Rudolf Schraml made a lasting impact on the Ennstal, taking the title in 2000, 2001, 2004, and 2005.

By 2001, 145 teams from ten nations were already at the start. The Ennstal had become a major economic factor for the entire region. Ancillary revenue rose to around 10 million euros, with 20,000 additional overnight stays annually. Over 190 media representatives were accredited in Gröbming, and from more than 300 entries, 220 teams were selected each year. TV coverage expanded on ORF, ATV, ZDF, 3Sat, Sat1, n-tv, and SF2.

In 2008, the prestigious watchmaker Chopard joined the scene. At the Chopard Grand Prix in Gröbming, the big stars relive their youth behind the wheel of their classic winning cars.

Stars, Legends, and Unforgettable Moments

Klaus Bischof, the head of the mobile Porsche Museum, has been bringing the family silver to Gröbming since the very beginning. Mercedes-Benz sent the legendary pre-war Silver Arrows to the Demo Grand Prix in Gröbming. In 2001, John Surtees was allowed to drive the iconic Mercedes 300SLR #722, the very car with which Stirling Moss won the Mille Miglia in 1955, over the entire Ennstal route.

The factory museums of Alfa Romeo, Auto Union, BMW, Jaguar, Opel, and Lamborghini showcased their treasures under the motto: “Tradition is the preservation of fire, not ashes.” The Ennstal-Classic unites the »Who’s Who« of international racing, rallying, sports, TV, and management. Since 1993, legends like Niki Lauda, Emerson Fittipaldi, Mario Andretti, Sir Stirling Moss, Sebastian Vettel, Nigel Mansell, David Coulthard, Walter Röhrl, and Rowan Atkinson have participated — nowhere else is the concentration of such icons higher.

2008 marked a unique gathering. The «CLUB INTERNATIONAL DES ANCIENS PILOTES DE GRAND PRIX F.1» was invited to its annual meeting at the Ennstal-Classic. The Legends Club presented the largest Formula 1 starting grid ever seen in Austria.

It was a long journey from the start with 35 cars in 1993 to 2012. For years, we had to explain to authorities, sponsors, and the media what the Ennstal-Classic is and what it stands for. Today, according to the «Observer» evaluation, the print media value is almost 2 million euros.

Quirky Moments with Stars

This year, the Red Bull Ring hosts the stage finish and special test, while historic Steyr displays the Ennstal-Classic’s cult cars.

Years ago, a construction company tried to close the Sölk Pass two days before the start, but we stopped it just in time. What we couldn’t prevent was Rowan Atkinson («Mr. Bean»), who in 2004 drove his private Jaguar Mark VII and wanted a quiet, private coffee break after the rally.

The Moosheim Castle innkeeper suggested Pürgg, a quiet gem of Styria. When Rowan arrived in Pürgg, a large fire brigade festival was already in full swing. He was immediately recognized and had no chance to remain unnoticed. Mr. Bean had to sign countless autographs before he could finally relax and breathe in the garden of Gasthaus Krenn…
«Gerhard Berger warned me,» Rowan said, «in Austria, your fans will overwhelm you. He was right…»