For the tenth time, Gerd Pierer, Hermann Schwarz and Thomas Matzelberger - also known as the three musketeers - invited people to the annual historic Gaisberg race, and they came in their droves. 190 vehicles were at the start and a number of participants were celebrated for not missing an event.
Proven event mode
As in previous years, the 2012 event consisted of four main elements: City Grand Prix, scoring runs on the Gaisberg, regularity driving on the Salzburgring and the separately scored scoring run.
The Gaisberg race is not a race, but a regularity event. It was not those who drove particularly fast who had a chance of winning, but those who had the stopwatch, speed table and throttle under control.
A Brazilian steals the show from many a speedster
Right from the start, one vehicle attracted spectators like a sweating cow attracts flies in the meadow. The 1908 Brasier was a moving monument. Not only did it show off many accessories and accessories that were "en vogue" in those days, it also gave a wonderful concert with its 9.5-liter four-cylinder engine when owner Hoop started it up. You thought you could not only hear but even feel every single combustion unit.
As Hoop explained, he actually came across this vehicle almost by chance at an auction. In the meantime, however, his knowledge of the history of the Brasier brothers and of Charles Brasier in particular had deepened considerably and the audience was more than impressed when they heard that the Brasiers were capable of speeds in excess of 150 km/h as early as the beginning of the 20th century, not to mention without front wheel brakes and on unpaved roads.
Unfortunately, the Brasier broke down a little so that it could only cover part of the distance.
Back on the Gaisberg - Dino 206 S
In 1965, Ludovico Scarfiotti competed against the Porsche 904 in the Dino 206P (chassis 0834) at the Gaisberg race. Not least due to adverse weather conditions, the fast Italian, who won the European Hillclimb Championship in 1965, was only able to finish in fifth place. The famous racing car, which was bodied as a spider at the time but originally had a similar coupé body to the later Dino 206 S, competed again on the Gaisberg in 2012.
Unfortunately, ignition problems with the engine made it impossible to complete all the event runs, but the public was still able to admire and, above all, hear this unique racing car at the City Grand Prix and two Gaisberg runs. The V6 engine with twin ignition was happy to let out its hoarse and aggressive concert.
The Porsche museum on wheels
Porsche has been involved in the historic Gaisberg race from the very beginning and has repeatedly brought unique racing cars to Salzburg. A Carrera 6 and the famous 909 Bergspider were announced for 2012, but a Porsche 908/3 from 1969, aPorsche 718 RS 61 and a 550 Spider turned up. This may have been a disappointment for some, but the Porsche 908/3 in particular was a good alternative to the 909 and thundered up the Gaisberg no less impressively.
Quester on the BMW 700 Spider
In the early sixties, BMW built a racing-oriented Spider based on the BMW 700. With a tubular frame and a vertical shaft engine, the small, flat car was a weapon to be taken seriously on the mountain; around 70 hp on less than 500 kg was a clear statement at the time.
Dieter Quester showed what is still possible with this little bullet today on the Salzburgring, where he put most other vehicles in their place with a fastest lap of 2:11, even if they had twice and three times as much displacement. Of course, Quester only added to his time after the laps, which had to be driven evenly.
Many rarities in the field
The field of around 190 vehicles included some rare and super rare classics, just to name a few examples: McLaren M12 GT Coupé, Huffaker Genie Mk 8, Maserati A6 GCS, Emeryson Sports Car from 1954, Alfa Romeo 8C Monza, BMW-Glas 1600 GT, Monte Carlo participant Volvo P 1800, Borgward 1500 RS, Fiat Vignale 1100 TV, Atalanta Sport Tourer from 1938, Brough Superior, Toyota 2000 GT, Swallow Doretti Prototype from 1954 or Allard J2 from 1950.
Of course, there was also a sizeable delegation of Mercedes Benz 300 SL, BMW 507 (with Mario Theissen in the cockpit, among others) and BMW 328, and the Porsche 911 and 356 models also made quite an appearance. Overall, however, the field was very mixed and, fortunately, the pre-war fraction was also very well represented with over 45 vehicles and, in contrast to other historic events, with a good chance of winning!
Almost no "special incidents"
The 2012 event ran smoothly and without any major accidents or damage, apart from a slightly undulating Italian classic and a few technical problems.
A Porsche 904 driver suffered a moment of shock when he spun into the gravel on the Salzburgring. Shortly behind him, a Maserati sports car also left the track and almost crashed into the stuck Porsche. Thankfully, it did not come to the worst and all participants were able to continue their journey.
The weather in Salzburg, which is known for frequent downpours, held back and only let it rain on Friday evening and at the beginning and end of the last day of the race, but then sometimes with exorbitant force. Drivers on the special stage reported that they could barely see the radiator, the rain was so heavy. Even the time display board on the Gaisberg capitulated to the masses of water.
Many winners
With a total of seven classifications, as well as the overall classification and trophies for the top three crews, there were plenty of smiling eyes. The overall title went to Florian and Sybille Kunz on the 1934 Morgan 3-Wheeler SS-JAP. Last year, they had been instructed to compete with a maximum of three wheels and so they did. The fact that they were able to win with the three-wheeled Morgan shows that the Gaisbergrennen gives pre- and post-war vehicles equal chances of victory. Georg Geyer and Rudolf Pichler came second overall in a Lancia Aprilia, while Karsen and Monika Wohlenberg came third in a Mercedes Benz 230 SL.
The overall winners naturally also won their category, the sports cars up to 1945, while the third-place finishers in the overall standings won the sports car category from 1945 onwards.
The runners-up in the overall standings in turn emerged as winners in the touring cars up to 1945, while Herbert and Josef Stranzinger in a Volvo 122 S (1969) took home the trophies (and the victory wreaths!) in the newer touring cars.
Peter and Heidi Sedlmeier in the 1937 Aston Martin 2 L Sped Ulster won the race car category up to 1945, while Walter Degelsegger and Sylvia Klinger in the 1957 Borgward H 1500 RS won the coveted trophy in the sports car category from 1946 onwards, despite a somewhat sour-sounding engine towards the end.
The women's competition, which was contested by six women's teams, went to Laura Kaufmann and Kaja Schindler in an Alfa Romeo 2600 Spider from Touring.
Experience counts
Analysis of the results clearly shows that experience, knowledge of the route and a well-coordinated team were once again of great advantage this time. A considerable number of the trophy recipients (1st to 3rd place in each case) went to crews that had already performed well in previous years. No wonder, because unlike in previous years, there were no training runs up the Gaisberg. So anyone riding up the mountain for the first time in their life and trying to maintain exactly ten minutes running time and a specified average speed on the last few meters at the same time probably came to the end of their tether quite quickly.
There was also a special prize for the 1964 Ford Galaxie XL 500 R-Type, which obviously made a great impression on the audience.
What makes the Gaisbergrennen special
Once again, the participants were certain that it's all in the mix. The combination of the City Grand Prix, which is especially enjoyable for the people of Salzburg and tourists, the Salzburgring and the special races on the Gaisberg is unique. For some, the breathtaking climbs on the fast Gaisberg road alone would be enough, but together with the other parts of the event, the sociable and entertaining supporting program and the beautiful surroundings of the Salzkammergut, the Gaisberg race is rightly an exceptional event in the classic car calendar.
The three busy organizers Pierer, Schwarz and Matzelberger rely on consistency and only make minor adjustments from year to year, which is perhaps another reason for the impressive success.
Vehicles taking part in the tenth Gaisbergrennen
| Start no. | Vehicle | Year | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brasier racing car | 1908 | LIE/A |
| 2 | Buick Speedster | 1924 | A/A |
| 3 | Chrysler Imperial Speedster | 1927 | A/A |
| 4 | Mercedes Benz 220 B Cabrio | 1952 | D/D |
| 5 | Bentley 4 1/2 L Open Tourer | 1928 | D/D |
| 6 | Bentley 4.5 Liter Open Tourer | 1929 | D/A |
| 7 | Bentley Brooklands | 1929 | A/A |
| 8 | Invicta S-Type Low Chassis | 1932 | D/D |
| 9 | Morgan 3-wheeler SS-JAP | 1934 | A/A |
| 10 | AC 16/88 | 1934 | A/A |
| 11 | Alfa Romeo 6 C | 1934 | NL/D |
| 12 | Riley MPH Sports | 1934 | CH/D |
| 13 | Alvis Firebird Special | 1935 | D/D |
| 14 | BMW 328 | 1937 | D/D |
| 15 | BMW 328 | 1937 | D/D |
| 16 | BMW 328 | 1937 | A/A |
| 17 | Bentley Derby Sport Special | 1937 | D/D |
| 18 | BMW 328 | 1937 | D/D |
| 19 | BMW 328 | 1937 | A/A |
| 20 | BMW 328 | 1937 | DD |
| 21 | Alvis 12/70 Sport | 1938 | D/D |
| 23 | Alvis Speed 25 | 1938 | D/D |
| 24 | Riley Big Four Special | 1938 | D |
| 25 | Alvis 12/70 Speed 20 | 1938 | D/D |
| 26 | Alvis 12/70 Sports Special | 1938 | CH/CH |
| 27 | BMW 328 | 1939 | A/A |
| 28 | Jaguar XK 120 OTS | 1951 | D/D |
| 29 | Jaguar XK 120 DHC | 1952 | D/D |
| 30 | Jaguar XK 120 OTS | 1952 | A/D |
| 31 | Jaguar XK 120 FHC | 1952 | CH/CH |
| 32 | Alfa Romeo 1900 C SS | 1954 | D/D |
| 33 | Jaguar XK 140 OTS | 1954 | CH/CH |
| 34 | Jaguar XK 140 OTSSE | 1954 | A/A |
| 35 | Aston Martin DB 2/4 DHC | 1955 | D/D |
| 36 | Aston Martin DB 3 | 1957 | LUX/LUX |
| 37 | Mercedes Benz 190 SL | 1955 | A/A |
| 38 | Porsche 356 Speedster | 1955 | D/D |
| 39 | Swallow Doretti Prototype | 1955 | CH/CH |
| 40 | Aston Martin DB 2/4 DHC | 1956 | D/D |
| 41 | Austin Healey 100 M | 1956 | D/D |
| 42 | MG A | 1957 | A/A |
| 43 | Mercedes Benz 280SL | 1968 | D/D |
| 44 | Triumph TR3 | 1957 | D/A |
| 45 | BMW 507 | 1957 | D/D |
| 46 | BMW 507 | 1957 | A/A |
| 47 | Aston Martin DB 2/4 | 1958 | D/D |
| 48 | Porsche 356 A Carrera GT | 1958 | A/A |
| 49 | Porsche 356 AGT | 1958 | D/D |
| 50 | Triumph TR4 IRS | 1967 | A/A |
| 51 | Porsche 356 AGT | 1958 | A/A |
| 53 | Austin Healey 100/6 | 1958 | A/A |
| 54 | Porsche 356 Super 90 | 1959 | CH/CH |
| 55 | BMW 507 | 1959 | F/F |
| 56 | Jaguar XK 150S DHC | 1959 | A/D |
| 57 | Austin Healey Sprite MK1 | 1959 | D/USA |
| 58 | Jaguar XK150 S 3.8 DHC | 1959 | D/D |
| 59 | Porsche 356 Convertible | 1960 | A/A |
| 60 | BMW 507 | 1960 | D/A |
| 61 | Porsche 356 police convertible | 1960 | A/A |
| 62 | Mercedes Benz 300 SL | 1960 | D/D |
| 63 | Volvo Amazon | 1964 | D/D |
| 64 | Mercedes Benz 300 SL | 1961 | D/D |
| 65 | Austin Healey 3000 MK II | 1961 | D/D |
| 66 | Ferrari 250 PF Convertible | 1961 | A/D |
| 67 | Jaguar E-Type 3.8 | 1961 | A/A |
| 68 | Ferrari 250 GTE | 1962 | D/D |
| 69 | Austin Healey MK II | 1962 | A/A |
| 70 | Jaguar E-Type 3.8 Series 1 | 1962 | A/A |
| 71 | Chevrolet Corvette C1 | 1962 | A/A |
| 72 | Porsche 356B Convertible | 1962 | NL/D |
| 73 | Mercedes Benz 300 SL | 1963 | D/D |
| 74 | Porsche 356 SC | 1963 | D/D |
| 75 | Porsche 356 B Convertible | 1963 | A/A |
| 76 | Porsche 356 SC/Convertible | 1963 | A/A |
| 77 | Porsche 356 SC | 1964 | A/A |
| 78 | Porsche 356 SC Convertible | 1964 | A/A |
| 79 | Ford R-Code Galaxie XL 500 | 1964 | CH/CH |
| 80 | Austin Healey 3000 MK lll | 1964 | A/A |
| 81 | Porsche 356 C Convertible | 1964 | A |
| 82 | Porsche 356 C Convertible | 1964 | A/A |
| 83 | Elva Courier MKIII | 1964 | A/A |
| 84 | Porsche 356 C/Cabrio | 1964 | A/A |
| 85 | Austin Healey 3000 MK III | 1964 | A/A |
| 86 | Mercedes Benz 230 SL | 1964 | D/USA |
| 87 | Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray | 1965 | CH/CH |
| 88 | Jaguar E-Type Series 1 Coupé | 1965 | D |
| 89 | Lotus Elan S 2 | 1965 | A/A |
| 91 | Porsche 911 | 1965 | A/A |
| 92 | Austin Healey MK 3000 | 1965 | A/A |
| 93 | Ford Mustang Shelby GT | 1966 | D/CH |
| 94 | Ferrari 275 GTB | 1966 | CH/CH |
| 95 | Maserati Sebring 3700 GTI S | 1966 | D/D |
| 96 | Ferrari 330 GTC | 1967 | CH/CH |
| 97 | Porsche 911 S | 1967 | D/D |
| 98 | Alfa Romeo Spider 1600 Duetto | 1967 | A/A |
| 99 | Toyota 2000 GT | 1967 | A/A |
| 100 | Porsche 911 Targa Softwindow | 1967 | D/D |
| 101 | Triumph TR 3 | 1956 | A/A |
| 102 | Porsche 911 S | 1967 | A/A |
| 103 | Porsche 911S Targa Soft Window | 1967 | A/A |
| 104 | Lancia Flaminia GT3C Touring | 1963 | D/D |
| 105 | Porsche 911 S | 1968 | D/D |
| 106 | Aston Martin DB 6 Vantage | 1968 | D/D |
| 107 | Alfa Romeo Spider Duetto | 1968 | D/D |
| 108 | Ferrari Dino 246 GT | 1969 | D/A |
| 109 | Morgan 4/4 | 1969 | A/A |
| 110 | Chevrolet Corvette LS5 | 1969 | A/A |
| 111 | Porsche 911 Targa 2.0 | 1969 | A/A |
| 112 | Renault Alpine A 110 | 1969 | A/A |
| 113 | Alfa Romeo 1750 Spider Veloce | 1969 | A |
| 114 | Maserati Ghibli | 1969 | A/A |
| 115 | Lagonda W24 Tourer | 1932 | D/D |
| 116 | Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 GTC | 1932 | D/A |
| 117 | Lagonda LT 45 Monte Carlo Team Car | 1935 | D/D |
| 118 | Lancia Aprilia | 1937 | A/A |
| 119 | Brough Superior | 1937 | A/A |
| 120 | Atalanta Sport Tourer | 1938 | CH/CH |
| 121 | Jaguar MK 4 | 1945 | A/A |
| 122 | VW Pretzel Beetle | 1951 | D/D |
| 123 | Peugeot 203 Cabriolet | 1969 | A/A |
| 124 | Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint | 1956 | A/A |
| 125 | VW Beetle | 1956 | D/D |
| 126 | Fiat Vignale 1100 TV | 1957 | A/Srb. |
| 127 | Lancia Aurelia B20 GT | 1958 | A/A |
| 128 | Citroën 2 CV | 1958 | D/D |
| 129 | Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Veloce | 1958 | A/A |
| 130 | Jaguar MK IX | 1958 | A/A |
| 131 | Triumph TR5 | 1969 | CH/CH |
| 132 | Volvo P1800 | 1961 | A/A |
| 133 | Alvis TD 21 DHC | 1962 | D/A |
| 134 | Citroen DS 19 Convertible | 1963 | A/A |
| 135 | Alfa Romeo Touring Spider 2600 | 1964 | D |
| 136 | Alfa Romeo Touring Spider 2600 | 1964 | A/A |
| 137 | Mercedes Benz 220 SE | 1964 | D/D |
| 138 | Austin Mini Cooper S | 1965 | A/A |
| 139 | BMW-Glass 1600GT | 1966 | A/A |
| 140 | Glass 2600 V 8 | 1967 | D/D |
| 141 | Citroen ID 19 Rally | 1967 | A/A |
| 142 | Austin Mini Cooper MKI | 1967 | A/A |
| 143 | Jaguar MKII | 1968 | D/D |
| 144 | BMW 2002 Ti Rallye | 1969 | D/A |
| 145 | MG C GT | 1969 | A/A |
| 146 | Volvo 123 GT | 1969 | A/A |
| 147 | Volvo 122 S | 1969 | A/A |
| 148 | Alfa Romeo Giulia Super | 1969 | D/D |
| 149 | Austro Daimler Sport | 1926 | A |
| 150 | Bentley 6.5L LeMans | 1927 | D/D |
| 151 | Alfa Romeo 6 C 1750 S | 1929 | D/D |
| 152 | Talbot-Darracq Sport | 1932 | CH/CH |
| 153 | MG L Magna Supercharger | 1933 | CH/CH |
| 155 | Aston Martin MK 2 Competition Ulster | 1934 | CH/CH |
| 156 | Alfa Romeo 8C Monza | 1934 | D |
| 157 | Riley Sport | 1934 | CH/CH |
| 158 | MG L Magna | 1935 | CH/CH |
| 159 | BMW 328 Wendler | 1939 | A/A |
| 160 | Aston Martin 21 Speed Ulster | 1937 | D/D |
| 161 | Delahaye 135S | 1937 | D/D |
| 162 | Mercedes Benz 300 SLS Porter |
1958 | D |
| 163 | Emeryson Sports Car | 1954 | A/A |
| 164 | Veritas RS | 1948 | A/A |
| 165 | Allard J2 | 1950 | A/A |
| 166 | Maserati A6 GCS | 1954 | D/D |
| 167 | Mercedes 300 SLGullwing | 1954 | D/D |
| 168 | Bugatti T35 | 1932 | A/A |
| 169 | Mercedes Benz 300 SL Gullwing | 1955 | D/D |
| 170 | Porsche 550 RS Spyder | 1955 | CH/CH |
| 171 | Porsche 550 RS Spyder | 1955 | D/D |
| 172 | Arnolt Bristol 404 X | 1955 | A/A |
| 173 | Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing | 1955 | A/D |
| 174 | Ferrari 166/206P | 1965 | A/D |
| 175 | Maserati 200 Sl | 1957 | A/A |
| 176 | Borgward 1500 RS | 1957 | A/A |
| 177 | Porsche 356 A Carrera GS | 1957 | D/D |
| 178 | Devin-Porsche Spyder | 1957 | A/A |
| 179 | Devin TR | 1957 | CH |
| 180 | Porsche 356 Speedster | 1956 | A/A |
| 181 | Porsche 356 Speedster GS/GT | 1959 | D/D |
| 182 | Stanguellini Formula Junior | 1959 | CH/CH |
| 183 | Porsche 718 RS 60 | 1961 | D/D |
| 184 | BMW 700 Spider | 1961 | A/D |
| 185 | Huffaker Genie MK8 | 1963 | A/A |
| 186 | Porsche 904 | 1964 | D/D |
| 187 | Porsche 550 Spyder | 1955 | D/D |
| 188 | Porsche 908/3 | 1969 | D/D |
| 189 | Chevron B16 | 1969 | A/A |
| 190 | McLaren M 12 GT Coupé | 1969 | A/A |
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