Even established classic car events are under pressure and have to put their concepts to the test. It is by no means just an empty phrase that something needs to be done for the younger generation in order to arouse their interest. Against this background, new events are currently having a hard time. So it was all the more surprising when the "Icons Mallorca" was announced, a mixture of various rallies and a FIVA concours, which even included a special classification on the race track.
Marcus Herfort, one of the busiest organizers, is behind Icons Mallorca from 1 to 6 October 2024. The "Classic Days" at Schloss Dyck and in Düsseldorf, the "Masterpieces" at Schloss Dyck, the Großglockner Grand Prix and activities for and in the old paddock of the Nürburgring can be traced back to his commitment. With the network thus created and his tireless creative energy, his new format on Mallorca sounds promising at first. The 24-page program seems ambitious. Can it even work for a first edition? To answer this question, we took a look around on site.
With the new Motorworld location near the airport, Icons Mallorca has a strategically favorable partner behind it. The vans could be loaded and unloaded there and the majority of the vehicles could be safely stored between the program points. Check-in was also held there on October 1 from 4 p.m., followed by a BBQ.
The classic car rally "On Tour" then started the next morning at 9:00 a.m. in the port of Adriano. Two Mercedes-Benz SSKs led the field of around 20 participants. They were immediately followed by the 15 or so super sports cars of the "Extravaganza" rally, including the ultra-rare McLaren Elva, which had been stripped down to the bare essentials. The road book guided the teams along lonely roads (at this time of year) to the lunch break at the Castell Miguel winery.
The statue of Tony Cragg standing in the plantations was one of the most popular photo motifs that afternoon. As we drove back towards the coast, one tight bend followed another. It was a driving delight. Our destination was the Club de Mar in Palma. This eventful day ended in the nearby "Mar de Nudos".
The rallies started on the second day at the port of Puerto Portals. In addition to the classic cars and super sports cars, the ten teams of the "La Vitesse" rally, which was reserved for women-only teams, also took part. Finally, on October 3, all three rallies and the participants of the International Concours d'Elégance "The Grand" came together on the Circuit Llucmajor, three kilometers east of El Arenal. Special stages were held here for the rally participants; the Concours participants were able to drive freely in various time slots. The "Next Generation Jury", headed by Chiara Aichele and Frederik Burchardt, made its first appearance here, where the jurors were not allowed to be older than 30.
The two Porsche racing cars named for the Concours, the 917 (formerly David Piper) with its fabulous twelve-cylinder engine and the 911 (formerly Eberhard Mahle), whose two-liter six-cylinder with the Carrera 6 exhaust even drowned out the twelve-cylinder a little, had a real sound contest on the racetrack. In general, the 911 not only shone with its incredible sound, but also with its captivating history. The son of the founder of the piston empire won the 1966 European Hillclimb Championship with this car against the much more powerful Ferrari and Ford.
On Friday, the third day, the focus was on the Concours d'Elégance on the 18-hole Son Vida golf course. As early as 8:00 a.m., there was a hive of activity in the underground garage of the hotel directly adjacent to the golf course. Final preparations were being made and the sound of engines could be heard again and again. Dirk Sadlowski's journey from the garage to the golf course was a curious one. His wife sat on the overhanging sill of the 917, as an extended eye, so to speak. You can see virtually nothing in the racing car itself, and Mr. Sadlowski was completely focused on playing softly with the clutch so as not to damage the grass. Within an hour, Marcus Herfort personally positioned 40 carefully selected competition vehicles on the Concours field.
The 7 classes in detail:
120 years of Rolls-Royce automobiles - "The best car in the world"
- Rolls-Royce Phantom Experimental "17EX" (class winner)
- Rolls-Royce Phantom I Dual Cowl Thrupp & Maberly
- Rolls-Royce Phantom I Park Ward
- Rolls-Royce Phantom I Riviera Towncar (Winner NGJ)
2nd pre-war sports car - "Elegant power"
- Mercedes-Benz SSK (class winner, NGJ winner)
- Jordan 1925
- Chrysler 1928
3rd pre-war luxury car - "Pure grace & style"
- Lancia Astura Pinin Farina Tipo Bocca IV (class winner, NGJ winner)
- Isotta Fraschini A8 Castagna
- Lagonda LG6 Rapide
- Talbot-Lago T26 Graber
- Mercedes-Benz 500 K Cabriolet A
4th post-war GT - "The gentlemen"
- Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato
- Pegaso Z-102 Berlinetta Panoramica Touring
- Mercedes-Benz 300 SL (formerly Porfirio Rubirosa, NGJ winner)
- Jaguar E-Type V12
- Lamborghini Miura SV
- Ferrari 250 GT/L
- Iso Grifo (class winner)
- Porsche 911
5. post-war racing sports cars - "Sportscar Icons"
- Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster
- Jaguar C-Type
- Ferrari 275 GTS/4
- BMW 507 (class winner, winner NGJ)
- Aston Martin DB5 Volante
6: Post-war racing cars - "Race cars and winners"
- BMW M1
- Lancia Stratos
- Porsche 911 (former Eberhard Mahle, class winner)
- BMW M3 DTM
- Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3 "Rote Sau"
- Porsche 911 Safari
- Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.3-16 (formerly Niki Lauda)
- Porsche 917 (formerly David Piper, winner NGJ)
7: Supercars & Hypercars - Iconic Forever
- McLaren Elva
- Mercedes-AMG GT-R
- Ferrari 812 Superfast (class winner, winner NGJ)
- Ferrari Maranello 550 "Breadvan"
- Aston Martin Vanquish
- Ferrari 488 GT3
The two "Best of Show" vehicles were selected from the class winners. In the pre-war class it was the Rolls-Royce Phantom Experimental "17EX", in the post-war class the Iso Grifo.
Day 4 was dedicated to the public. The "Mobility week for good" concluded with a 250-meter-long exhibition in Port d'Andratx. The spectators flocked in their hundreds. Full of enthusiasm, the participants were celebrated with applause at the final driving presentation. Marcus Herfort had thus also successfully completed his last program item and was even able to make up for the only program item that he had to cancel at short notice with a six-car presentation. As a collector with five vehicles had canceled virtually overnight, the "Gran Mar" beach car meeting at the Assaona Beach Club did not take place. All the more reason for everyone to enjoy the friendly little cars at the harbor.
