The weather conditions on the Gaisberg were reminiscent of the races of 1965, when visibility was only a few meters due to fog, and of 1959, when actual environmental disasters led to short-term track repairs. And anyone who still needed proof on the Gaisberg weekend (May 30 to June 1, 2013) that this May had record-breaking rainfall could experience it for themselves between Thursday and Sunday.
Umbrellas at Hellbrunn Palace
It all started on Thursday at the float acceptance at Hellbrunn Palace, when umbrellas became an indispensable aid. The sticking on of the start numbers went a little less quickly with clammy fingers and puddles were already appearing in the open racing cars, which would later make for a wet bottom.
The drive to the Residenzplatz was also damp and there was no question of putting away the umbrellas.
Nevertheless, the spectators came in surprisingly large numbers to the city center of Salzburg to watch the action on the Grand Prix circuit.
The drivers were relatively cautious on the slippery track, which made sense from a safety point of view, but caused one or two race car drivers to get a bit angry. After all, there were hardly any overheating problems, which was also due to the relatively low temperatures in Salzburg.
Most of us were already looking forward to the warm hotel rooms and the spa area in the evening.
Umbrellas on the Gaisberg
Anyone hoping that the wet Thursday would be followed by a dry Friday was disappointed. The mountain had to be conquered in fog, rain and very low temperatures. In addition to the rain, there were biting winds, so that the drivers did not even leave the car at the top of the pass and used the last of the engine heat to avoid cooling down completely at just under three degrees.
Convertible drivers lined up as far back as possible at the start so that they could drive back down after a short wait at the top of the Gaisberg. This was certainly no real pleasure for the drivers in the open-top racing cars, but they resigned themselves to their fate and probably remembered the old heroes who had driven the 1000 miles from Breschia to Rome and back in similar weather conditions.
Even more than in dry conditions, the Gaisberg, which was quite steep in places, was a real challenge for the drivers of low-powered cars and so even the normally easily achievable target time of 10 minutes became a real challenge for some.
And of course the usually cheerful and cheering spectators on the Zistelalm and along the route were also missing, but who wanted to leave the warmth of their homes in this weather?
Competition ride for the hardy and weather-protected
After the first Gaisberg runs, there was hardly any time for major drying exercises and so many Gaisberg participants opted for a leisurely half-day in the hotel, preferring the sauna to the round trip. Especially the racers without roofs and heating could not be blamed for this. And so the ranking list of the race only showed about half of the vehicles and many names were missing, especially in the pre-war field.
But even here there were those who were determined not to be deterred from driving, such as the team with the Bentley 3-4 1/2 from 1924 or the crew of the Mille-Miglia Fiat 508 C from 1939.
Dry Salzburgring
It was a surprise that Saturday morning was dry, which made the laps on the Salzburgring a lot more enjoyable and certainly helped with safety. Now the riders in the faster categories could finally let their horses trot and the smiles on the riders' faces showed that they had almost forgotten the wetness of the previous day.
Rain on the Gaisberg for the second time
But the joy of dry roads didn't last long, as it started to rain again on Saturday afternoon and wouldn't stop. As a result, the last climbs up the Gaisberg took place in inhospitable conditions, with visibility and a lack of adhesion preventing racing masterpieces. Just as well, because nowadays you don't have to set times under five minutes, as the standard time is exactly 10 minutes.
Still a good atmosphere
One might have assumed that the weather discussions and the wet bums could seriously dampen the mood. But the drivers and co-drivers hardly let on and the evenings were sociable and cheerful. Everyone remained relaxed - what could be changed? Jokes about "survival training" did the rounds and people told each other how the spectators at the roadside had applauded and cheered the open-top convertible crews in particular.
Rarities on the grid
Even the starter field was hardly affected by the bad weather. With the exception of a few vehicles, the registered sports cars, touring cars and racing cars lined up at the start of the individual stages.
Even expensive gems such as the 1957 Maserati 150 GT took part in the Salzburg City Grand Prix and the extremely rare 1929 Austro-Daimler ADRII/100 defied the rain showers. The beautiful Aston Martin DB 4 GT Zagato from 1961 did not shy away from the floods either and Dieter Quester drove his BMW 328 Touring Roadster from 1941 through wind and weather.
Everyone was a winner
Everyone who completed the Gaisberg races, the City Grand Prix and the Salzburgring without any problems could feel like a winner. But this year, too, prizes were awarded to those who were particularly accurate and consistent.
Georg Geyer and Rudolf Pichler were the overall winners in the 1937 Lancia Aprilia. The fact that a pre-war automobile actually led the classification can be celebrated as an exception on the Gaisberg.
Behind the Lancia, Kersten Wohelnberg and Monika Wohlenberg in the Aston Martin DB Mk III took second place, followed by Herrmann Wallner and Barbara Vogel in the Porsche 356 B Cabriolet.
Peter and Christian Kriegsteiner won the race in a Mercedes Benz 300 SL, followed by Hannes and Waltraud Schrempf in a Porsche 356, and Hermann Wallner and Barbara Vogel in a 356 B Cabriolet.
The challenge of the drive home
Some of the participants faced a particular difficulty the day after the award ceremony, when they had to drive home. Routes that could normally be covered in a few hours had to be completed at walking pace or with significant detours, which could quickly double the driving time. In some cases, hundreds of additional kilometers had to be driven because otherwise there was no way through. However, we hope that all participants found their way home in the end.
Vehicle list with comments
The following list shows the registered cars, any vehicle changes (if noted) and the first three places in each competition category.
The table can be sorted by clicking on the column heading.
| Cat | No. | Make | Type | Year | Nat Team | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | 1 | Bentley | 3-41/2 | 1924 | D/D | |
| S | 2 | Chrysler | Imperial Speedster | 1927 | A/A | Winner sports car until 1945 |
| S | 3 | Bentley | 4 1/2 L Open Tourer | 1928 | D/D | |
| S | 4 | Austro Daimler | ADRII/100 | 1929 | A/A | |
| S | 5 | Bentley | Speed-Six | 1930 | D | |
| S | 6 | Délage | D8S | 1931 | D/D | |
| S | 7 | Morgan | Three Wheeler Supersport | 1934 | I/I | |
| S | 8 | Riley | Sprite | 1936 | NL/NL | |
| S | 9 | BMW | 328 Roadster | 1937 | D/D | |
| S | 10 | BMW | 328 Roadster | 1937 | A/A | |
| S | 11 | Fiat | 508 C Mille Miglia Berlinetta | 1939 | A/A | Vehicle change |
| S | 12 | BMW | 328 Roadster | 1937 | D/NL | |
| S | 13 | Alvis | 12 70 | 1938 | D | |
| S | 14 | BMW | 328 Roadster | 1938 | D | Third place sports car until 1945 |
| S | 16 | BMW | 507 | 1957 | A/A | |
| S | 17 | Alvis | 12 70 | 1939 | D/B | |
| S | 18 | BMW | 328 Roadster | 1939 | D/D | |
| S | 19 | BMW | 328 Roadster | 1939 | A/A | Second place sports car until 1945 |
| S | 20 | Aston Martin | DB2 Vantage | 1952 | D/D | |
| S | 21 | Aston Martin | DB 2/4 DHC | 1952 | D/D | Second place touring car until 1945 |
| S | 22 | Jaguar | XK 120 DHC | 1953 | A/A | |
| S | 23 | Jaguar | XK 120 FHC | 1954 | A/A | |
| S | 24 | Denzel | 1500 | 1954 | A/A | |
| S | 25 | Alfa Romeo | 1900 C SS | 1954 | D/D | |
| S | 26 | Jaguar | XK 120 OTS | 1954 | D/D | |
| S | 27 | Jaguar | XK 140 OTS SE | 1954 | A/A | |
| S | 28 | Aston Martin | DB 2/4 DHC | 1955 | D/D | |
| S | 29 | Porsche | 356 Speedster | 1955 | D/D | |
| S | 30 | Swallow Doretti | Shapecraft | 1955 | CH/CH | |
| S | 31 | Austin Healey | 100/4 M | 1956 | D/D | |
| S | 32 | Triumph | TR 5 | 1966 | GB/D | Vehicle change |
| S | 33 | MG | A Coupé | 1956 | CH/CH | |
| S | 34 | Porsche | 356 A 1600 Coupé GT | 1957 | D/D | |
| S | 35 | BMW | 507 | 1957 | D/D | |
| S | 36 | Jaguar | XK 140 DHC | 1957 | A/A | |
| S | 37 | Austin Healey | 100/6 | 1958 | A/A | |
| S | 38 | Porsche | 356 A GT | 1958 | A/A | Third place sports car class from 1945 |
| S | 39 | BMW | 507 | 1958 | D/D | |
| S | 40 | Triumph | TR 3A | 1958 | CH/CH | |
| S | 41 | Chevrolet | Corvette | 1958 | D/D | |
| S | 42 | Aston Martin | DB MK3 | 1958 | D/USA | Overall runner-up, winner sports car class from 1945 |
| S | 43 | Maserati | 3500 GT | 1959 | D/D | |
| S | 44 | Austin Healey | 3000 BT 7 Rallye | 1959 | D/D | |
| S | 45 | Triumph | TR3A | 1959 | CH | |
| S | 46 | BMW | 507 | 1959 | D/D | |
| S | 47 | Ferrari | 250 Convertible Series II | 1960 | F/A | |
| S | 49 | Porsche | 356 Convertible | 1960 | A/A | |
| S | 50 | Austin Healey | Sprite MK 1 | 1960 | D/D | |
| S | 51 | Mercedes | 300 SL Roadster | 1961 | D/D | |
| S | 52 | Austin Healey | 3000 Mk1 | 1961 | D/D | |
| S | 53 | Porsche | 356 B Coupe | 1961 | A/A | |
| S | 54 | Jaguar | E-Type Coupé | 1962 | D/D | |
| S | 55 | Porsche | 356 B | 1962 | A | |
| S | 56 | Triumph | TR3 B | 1962 | A/CH | |
| S | 57 | Mercedes Benz | 230 SL | 1963 | A/A | |
| S | 58 | Triumph | TR4 | 1963 | A/A | |
| S | 59 | Porsche | 356 B Convertible | 1963 | A/A | Third overall, second place in sports car class from 1945 onwards |
| S | 60 | Porsche | 356 SC/Cabrio | 1963 | A/A | |
| S | 61 | Jaguar | E-Type "Low Drag" | 1963 | D/D | |
| S | 62 | Porsche | 356 Convertible SC | 1964 | A/A | |
| S | 63 | Porsche | 356 Convertible Police | 1964 | A/A | |
| S | 64 | Mercedes | 230 SL | 1964 | A/A | |
| S | 65 | Austin Healey | 3000 MK III | 1964 | A/A | |
| S | 66 | Ferrari | 330 GT 2+2 | 1964 | A/A | |
| S | 67 | Fiat | 1500 Spider | 1963 | D/D | Vehicle change |
| S | 68 | Porsche | 356 SC Coupé | 1964 | A/A | |
| S | 69 | Elva | Courier MK III | 1964 | A/A | |
| S | 70 | Austin Healey | 3000 MK III | 1964 | A/A | |
| S | 71 | Porsche | 356 Coupe SC | 1964 | D/D | |
| S | 72 | Porsche | 356 Coupe SC | 1965 | D/D | |
| S | 73 | Lotus | Super Seven | 1965 | A/A | |
| S | 74 | Lotus | Elan S2 | 1965 | A/A | |
| S | 75 | Porsche | 911 S | 1965 | A/A | |
| S | 76 | Jaguar | XK120 OTS | 1953 | A/D | |
| S | 77 | Porsche | 912 S | 1966 | D/D | |
| S | 78 | Maserati | Sebring 3700 GTI S | 1966 | D/D | |
| S | 79 | Ferrari | 330 GTC | 1967 | CH/CH | |
| S | 80 | Alfa Romeo | Spider Duetto | 1967 | A/A | |
| S | 81 | Porsche | 911 S | 1967 | D/D | |
| S | 82 | Alfa Romeo | Spider Duetto | 1967 | A/A | |
| S | 83 | Porsche | 911 | 1967 | D/D | |
| S | 84 | Porsche | 356 B Super 90 | 1967 | NL/D | |
| S | 85 | Porsche | 912 | 1968 | D/D | |
| S | 86 | Porsche | 911 S | 1968 | A/A | |
| S | 87 | Porsche | 914/6 GT | 1969 | A/A | |
| S | 88 | Morgan | 44 | 1969 | A/A | |
| S | 89 | Porsche | 356 Coupe | 1964 | D/D | |
| S | 90 | Alpine | A110 1600S | 1969 | D/D | |
| S | 91 | Mercedes Benz | 280 SL | 1969 | A/A | |
| S | 92 | Mercedes Benz | 280 SL | 1969 | D/A | |
| S | 93 | Porsche | 911 E | 1969 | A/A | |
| S | 94 | Porsche | 911 S Targa | 1969 | A/A | |
| S | 95 | Jaguar | E-Type Coupé | 1969 | CH/CH | |
| S | 96 | Jaguar | E-Type Coupé | 1969 | A/A | |
| S | 97 | Lamborghini | Miura | 1969 | A/A | |
| S | 98 | Porsche | 911 S | 1969 | Car change | |
| S | 99 | Jaguar | E Type Lightweight | 1962 | Car change | |
| S | Morgan | Plus 4 | 1970 | Vehicle change | ||
| S | Ferrari | 250 GT SWB | 1961 | Car change | ||
| T | 100 | Alfa Romeo | 6C 1750 | 1932 | A/A | |
| T | 101 | BMW | 315/1 | 1934 | D/D | |
| T | 102 | Lancia | Aprilia | 1937 | A/A | Overall winner, touring car winner until 1945 |
| T | 103 | Atalanta | Sport Tourer | 1938 | CH/CH | |
| T | 15 | Salmson | S4/61 Coupé | 1939 | A/A | Car change, third place touring car until 1945 |
| T | 104 | VW | Beetle 82E/KDF | 1944 | A/A | |
| T | 105 | VW | Pretzel Beetle | 1951 | D/D | |
| T | 106 | VW | Beetle | 1952 | A/A | |
| T | 107 | Ford | P1 12 M | 1952 | A/A | |
| T | 108 | Austin | A 35 | 1956 | D/D | |
| T | 109 | Alfa Romeo | Giulietta Sprint | 1956 | A/A | |
| T | 110 | Lancia | Aurelia B20 | 1956 | D/D | |
| T | 111 | Lancia Aurelia | B20GT | 1958 | A/A | Third place touring car from 1945 |
| T | 112 | VW | Beetle 15 Convertible | 1959 | A/A | |
| T | 113 | Jaguar | MK II | 1961 | CH/CH | |
| T | 114 | VW | Beetle 11 Luxury | 1962 | A/A | |
| T | 115 | Fiat Abarth | 850 TC | 1962 | CH/CH | |
| T | 116 | Steyr Puch | 650 T | 1962 | A/A | First place touring car from 1945 |
| T | 117 | Alvis | TD 21DHC | 1962 | D/A | |
| T | 118 | Steyr Puch | 650T | 1963 | A/A | |
| T | 119 | Citroen | ID 19 Convertible | 1963 | A/A | |
| T | 120 | Jaguar | MK II | 1963 | D/A | |
| T | 121 | Lancia | Flaminia Coupé Touring | 1964 | D/ | |
| T | 122 | Alfa Romeo | 2600 Touring Spider | 1964 | A | |
| T | 123 | Porsche | 356 | 1963 | A/A | Car change |
| T | 124 | Lancia | Flaminia Coupe | 1964 | A/A | |
| T | 125 | Ford | Mustang Shelby | 1965 | CH/CH | |
| T | 126 | Ford | Mustang C | 1966 | D/D | |
| T | 127 | Lancia | Flaminia Supersport Zagato | 1966 | CH/USA | |
| T | 128 | Lancia | Flaminia Supersport Zagato | 1967 | A/A | |
| T | 129 | Alfa Romeo | GTV Giulia Sprint | 1967 | A/I | |
| T | 130 | glass | 2600 V 8 | 1967 | D/D | |
| T | 131 | Renault | Caravelle 100 S | 1967 | A/A | |
| T | 132 | Steyr Puch | 650 T | 1967 | A/A | Vehicle change, second place Tourgen from 1945 |
| T | 133 | MG | C GT | 1968 | A/A | |
| T | 134 | Jaguar | MK II | 1968 | D/D | |
| T | 135 | Ford | Escort 1300 GT | 1968 | A/A | |
| T | 136 | Alfa Romeo | Giulia | 1969 | USA/D | |
| T | 137 | DKW | F 12 | 1969 | D/D | |
| T | 138 | Alfa Romeo | 1300 GTJ | 1969 | A/NL | |
| T | 139 | Opel | Steinmetz Commodore 3000 | 1969 | D/D | |
| T | 141 | Maserati | 26M | 1928 | CH/CH | |
| T | Salmson | S431 | 1939 | Vehicle change | ||
| R | 142 | Alfa Romeo | 6 C 1750 S | 1929 | D/D | |
| R | 143 | Bugatti | 51 | 1931 | A/A | |
| R | 144 | MG | L Magna supercharger | 1933 | CH | |
| R | 145 | MG | K3 | 1933 | A/A | Second place racing car until 1945 |
| R | 146 | Lagonda | Le Mans | 1934 | D/D | Third place race car until 1945 |
| R | 147 | Talbot | AV 105 | 1934 | D/L | |
| R | 148 | MG | A Coupé | 1960 | CH/CH | Vehicle change |
| R | 149 | Riley | TT Sprite | 1936 | CH | |
| R | 150 | BMW | 328 Touring Roadster | 1941 | A/D | First place racing car until 1945 |
| R | 151 | Bentley | Special Racer MK6 | 1948 | D/D | |
| R | 152 | Veritas | RS | 1948 | A/A | |
| R | 153 | Healey | Silverstone | 1949 | D/D | |
| R | 154 | Healey | Silverstone | 1950 | A/A | |
| R | 155 | Mercedes Benz | 300 SL Gullwing | 1954 | D/D | First place racing car from 1945 |
| R | 156 | Mercedes Benz | 300 SL Gullwing | 1955 | D | |
| R | 157 | Arnolt Bristol | 404 X | 1955 | A/A | |
| R | 158 | Mercedes Benz | 300 SL Porter | 1955 | D/D | |
| R | 159 | Porsche | 550 Spyder | 1955 | A/D | |
| R | 160 | Porsche | 550 Spyder | 1955 | D/D | |
| R | 161 | Ferrari | 500 TR | 1956 | D/D | |
| R | 162 | Mercedes Benz | 300 SLS | 1957 | D/D | |
| R | 163 | Porsche | 356 A 1500 Carrera GT Speedster | 1957 | D/D | |
| R | 164 | Maserati | 150 GT | 1957 | A/D | |
| R | 165 | Devin | Porsche Spyder | 1957 | A | |
| R | 166 | Porsche | 356 A Carrera Convertible | 1958 | D/D | Second place racing car from 1945 |
| R | 167 | Porsche | 356 Carrera-Deluxe | 1958 | A/Srb. | |
| R | 168 | Mercedes Benz | 300 SL | 1956 | D | Vehicle change |
| R | 169 | Porsche | 356 A Carrera | 1959 | A/D | |
| R | 170 | Porsche | RS 60 | 1960 | D/D | |
| R | 171 | Aston Martin | DB 4 GT Zagato | 1961 | A/A | |
| R | 172 | Ginetta | G4R | 1963 | D/D | |
| R | 173 | Lotus-BMW | 23 | 1963 | D/D | |
| R | 174 | AC Cobra | 289 Sports | 1964 | D/D | Third place racing car from 1945 |
| R | 175 | Porsche | 904 GTS | 1964 | A/A | |
| R | 176 | Porsche | 910 | 1967 | D/D | |
| R | 48 | Porsche | 908 | 1969 | A/A | Vehicle change |
| R | 177 | Porsche | 356 B / Carrera 2000 GT | 1963 | D/D | Car change |
| R | 178 | Porsche | 911 | 1969 | D/D | |
| R | 179 | Porsche | 356 GT | 1957 | ||
| R | 202 | Porsche | 904 GTS | 1964 | A |
