What began in 2005 has now entered its fourth round. Every three years, the Michaelskreuzrennen in Root in the canton of Lucerne has become a fixture in the calendar of classic car events. The event is and remains, just as it began, a relaxed and cozy event and that is exactly how they want to continue it.
A whole village in action
On October 4 and 5, 2014, the entire community was once again fully committed to the event. Paired with an evening village festival, Root became a museum for two days and one night. Cars and motorcycles from days gone by were parked throughout the village.
The vehicles that didn't make a sound during the night were brought back to life at 9 o'clock sharp on Saturday and Sunday. Whether it was a methanol-fired 4-cylinder supercharged MG, a mighty petrol-thirsty V8 or a small 50cc two-wheeled racing machine that woke the villagers from their sleep, the night's rest was over at nine o'clock.
Despite the noise, you never had the feeling that anyone felt their privacy was being disturbed. Everyone joined in with great joy.
Perhaps it is also because carnival is of great importance for the canton of Lucerne, that Guggenmusik is allowed to take its place in life and that the population is therefore very accommodating and open, even if an event generates a little more noise - most people call it music. Even the farmers waited patiently until 6 p.m. so that they could put their hay out to dry.
The fog rules
The fog literally engulfed the upper section of the 3.42 km mountain route on both days and only cleared after lunch.
However, the participants did not allow themselves to be disturbed and rode up the mountain with more or less visibility. Helmet visors and windscreens fogged up so much due to the high humidity that some drivers could no longer tell whether the fog was in the car or outside.
However, as this was not an actual race, although the name might suggest this, the race was run without timekeeping and everyone was able to adjust their speed according to their ability and visibility.
Not entirely without land damage and technical problems
Here and there there was a bit of land damage because one or other rider ran out of road. Motorcycles crashed here and there, but without any major injuries. Even a lost co-driver of a motorcycle team was back in the "boat" for the next run.
Only the Morris MM8 could not be refloated after losing a wheel.
The Horay also had to capitulate after the first run. After its passage, the cornering line was marked like in a textbook, but not with paint, but with a thick film of oil. As a result, the entire track had to be thoroughly cleaned.
One vehicle left the track on the last run and slid down the slope. When the race organizers asked whether it was necessary to interrupt the race, the answer was that this was not necessary because the driver was fine and the car was so far down that it did not pose any danger.
And yet there was still sun
Both afternoons and the four heats were run in glorious sunshine under ideal conditions.
Three-time Le Mans winner and world champion Marcel Fässler showed with the Group B Quattro how it would really go with four-wheel drive.
Six-time world champion Kurt Waltiperg did the same on three wheels and a few two-wheeled artists without world championship titles were also there.
Fun as the main thing
But the most important thing was the fun and they all had it. Whether lawyer or surgeon, letter carrier or factory worker, Subaru or Ferrari. For a weekend, everyone was in the same boat again. They talked petrol together, exchanged experiences and made new friends.
One participant summed up the atmosphere: "For me, this event always means a cozy end to the year with lots of time for chatting."
