The "Motor Classics" of the same name took place for the sixth time in Lenzerheide from 9 to 11 June 2017, bringing spa guests and vacation home owners closer to "the sound of rattling engines and squealing tires". According to the organizers, the almost perfect conditions and beautiful weather ensured a record number of visitors.
And this was an outstanding success, true to the vacation region's motto "Sun to the power of two".
Practical formula
The event formula has already proven itself in the five previous editions since 2011. A well-maintained country road along the "Igl Lai" mountain lake allows for a brisk pace, followed by a connecting section through the village, before leading back to the start after 2.45 kilometers towards the forest and lake.
Each time the route passes the start, it is restarted, so to speak, and the finish is at the end of the lake.
The individual vehicle fields each have 25 minutes to complete the route, which is enough for 6 to a maximum of 11 laps, depending on the type of vehicle. The field is then led back to the paddock and the next field of racing cars takes over.
For the drivers, this sequence means around 100 minutes of the sportiest driving, and for the spectators, many opportunities to see the various cars in motion and with a full sound backdrop.
Le Mans feeling in the mountain air
Field 8, in which several prototype sports cars were at the start, was almost reminiscent of Le Mans. The Ferrari 512 BB/LM, for example, is just as much a part of the cars that have already been racing along the Hunaudières at over 300 km/h as the Sauber C5, built by the Swiss Peter Sauber. Unfortunately, the Ferrari 512 M with Sunoco paintwork was not allowed on the track due to a technical problem.
The field of the sponsor Autobau Romanshorn was supplemented with former formula cars that Fredy Lienhard had once driven himself and with sports cars from his car collection, including the modern Ferrari 333 SP, but also the Sauber C3.
However, the Formula Super Vee broke down on Saturday with an impressive cloud of smoke.
From the Beetle to the Formula 2
The organizers could definitely not be accused of monotony, because together with the village group, which brought some elegant classics such as the Citroën Traction Avant or the De Lorean DMC12, known from "Back to the Future", visitors were able to see a really colourful mix of cars (and motorcycles) in action.
Whether VW Beetle, pre-war Alvis, Aston-Martin Le Mans, Porsche 356, Renault 12 Gordini or the March 712 Formula 2 once driven by Henry Pescarolo, there was something from almost every decade from the 1910s to modern times.
Not just classic cars and youngtimers
Field number 6, which was made up of super sports cars from the present and recent past, was certainly special for a "classic" event.
But it was often the little ones at the side of the track who enjoyed the Ferrari LaFerrari or the Porsche 918 the most. And after all, in 30 years' time these cars will perhaps make up the majority of the 36th Lenzerheide Motor Classics, who knows.
Tolerance needed
The coexistence of motorsports and hikers/mountain bikers in a confined space is not always easy, but the organizers managed to find the right mix and in the end the spectators paid nothing, which certainly increased the "goodwill" considerably. But after all, the engines only roar once a year and from Sunday evening the area around Lenzerheide once again belonged to cyclists and pedestrians.
The pictures in the main gallery, as well as the almost 400 pictures in the detailed picture galleries, give an impression of the largely uninterrupted and accident-free event.
