The Berg Classic in Würgau (near Scheßlitz/Franconia) is not particularly well known even in the German histo scene. Yet the Würgauer Berg is probably the longest-running hill climb circuit in Germany. Readers are welcome to correct the author here! Back in 1909 (the year it was founded), the 1st Bamberg Automobile Club (BAC) organized the first hill climb in Würgau. Over the years, many famous racing drivers started there whose names are still known today. For example, the founder of Motorpresse Stuttgart, Paul Pietsch, or the two later Silver Arrow warhorses Hans Stuck and Manfred von Brauchitsch. The latter won the final event in 1933 with a Mercedes-Benz SSK. After that, there was a very long break.
Lived and loved
From 1965 to 1976, the BAC organized hill climbs, but not in Würgau, but on the Ellerberg about ten kilometers away. For the club's 80th anniversary, the decision was made to return to Würgau and organize the race as a regularity test. Initially for the round birthdays, then every two years. What applies to the much better-known Ransel Classic (in the Taunus) also applies here in Würgau: such a major motorsport event is only possible because the whole village really "lives and loves" the race. Especially the volunteer fire department and the sports club, who were responsible for the catering, among other things (but not only). Early in the morning, for example, home-baked cakes were brought to the sports center every minute. This is not something that can be taken for granted these days! This also applies to the entire BAC, with race director Bernd Schrüfer and Wolfgang Dillig being mentioned here on behalf of many others.
Wet track
Unfortunately, we were not at all lucky with the weather. There were repeated downpours, especially during the second round, which were quite heavy. Nevertheless, numerous spectators did not miss the opportunity to visit the Berg Classic. Almost 110 of the 120 invited starters turned up. Three races were held in each of the nine classes. Once for a taster, then to set a time and the last one to repeat.
Perhaps the rain was an advantage, because when the eventual overall winner Georg Schmundt-Thomas completed his seeded run in his VW Beetle (1956), the rain (subjectively felt) was at its heaviest. He then drove his scoring run with a difference of just 0.24 seconds. Like all starters, except the motorcycle teams, he did this without a helpful co-driver with a stopwatch.
Second best was Hanns Wirth in a 1971 Autobianchi A112 Abarth with a difference of 0.29 seconds.
The podium was completed by Klaus Barth in his Steyr-Puch 500 D (1965) with a difference of 0.39 seconds.
In the sidecar category, the duo Toni Soff/Florian Slawik were ahead with a Jreson Yamaha (1974) and a difference of 0.70 seconds.
The motorcycle class was won by Niklas Tauschek on a 1966 Aermacchi Ala D'Oro with a difference of 1.59 seconds.
From Niklas Tauschek we can also build a bridge to his father Thomas, who brought along a 1965 Alfa Romeo GTA 1600 Corsa with truly famous pilots.
It had actually been built by Autodelta in 1965 and used as a works car. Among others with Jochen Rindt, Giancarlo Baghetti, Rob Slotemaker and Toine Hezemans. Nico Chiotakis later took over the car and became Dutch Touring Car Champion twice. The car's last race - in its current livery, by the way - took place on the Nordschleife in 1971.
The GTA then disappeared from the scene for a long time. Around 1985, a good friend of Tauschek's bought the bodyshell and a 1300cc factory engine from a metal dealer. Due to the aluminum floor assembly in combination with sheet steel, the dealer had had problems dismantling the car - but fortunately had enough expertise and business sense to sell the remains as a racing car instead of scrap. The owner at the time always wanted to restore the car himself, but this never happened. Instead, the bodyshell and engine were stored in a barn in Ludwag - just a few kilometers from Würgau!
Like a phoenix from the ashes
Tauschek came into the picture in 2018. Until then, he had been more active with historic motorcycles and wanted to buy a Porsche. "But when I only saw plastic panels instead of an engine, I quickly discarded the idea," reported the Franconian. He thought of his friend and spoke to him about the Alfa. He gave him the key and sent him to the barn in question. He didn't dare go there himself. When he opened the gate, there was the classic precision landing or love at first sight.
Tauschek was hooked and bought the sad remains of the ex-works car. After a careful restoration and regardless of the costs, the resurrected yellow GTA made its debut in 2021 after exactly half a century of racing abstinence - and it was absolutely befitting of its status at Pista & Piloti in Pferdsfeld. But now registered and equipped with a durable 1600cc engine that can also be ridden on the road. The 1300cc engine, which revs up to 10,000 rpm, was used at the time because no 1600cc class had been announced and Chiotakis would have had no chance in the 2-liter class with the original engine.
