Premium

Mountain Trophy Davos-Schatzalp 1996 - memories of a special kind of mountain race

Name: ERA R 9 B 1936
Brand: ERA

This article was auto-translated. We apologize if some words are confusing or simply amusing. Would you like to help us improve?

Created on March 13, 2023

Text:

Paul Krüger

Photos:

Jan Viebrock

Bugatti Type 43 (1930) - at the 2nd Mountain Trophy Davos-Schatzalp 1996

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

The traces of the unpaved track can be seen on the Riley and the Bugatti - 2nd Mountain Trophy Davos-Schatzalp 1996

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Camp in front of the Restaurant Schatzalp - 2nd Mountain Trophy Davos-Schatzalp 1996

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Arrived at the finish - 2nd Mountain Trophy Davos-Schatzalp 1996

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Even more noble cars with special bodywork at the start - 2nd Mountain Trophy Davos-Schatzalp 1996

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Ascent - 2nd Mountain Trophy Davos-Schatzalp 1996

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Cycle Car on the rapid ascent - 2nd Mountain Trophy Davos-Schatzalp 1996

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

The journey is the reward - 2nd Mountain Trophy Davos-Schatzalp 1996

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

The ideal line takes on a completely new meaning here - 2nd Mountain Trophy Davos-Schatzalp 1996

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

The next curve firmly in sight - 2nd Mountain Trophy Davos-Schatzalp 1996

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Skill and not pure performance is required here - 2nd Mountain Trophy Davos-Schatzalp 1996

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Towards the finish line in an Italian sports car - 2nd Mountain Trophy Davos-Schatzalp 1996

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

With physical effort into the curve - 2nd Mountain Trophy Davos-Schatzalp 1996

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

With pointed rear and gigantic steering wheel - 2nd Mountain Trophy Davos-Schatzalp 1996

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Up the gravel road without mudguards - 2nd Mountain Trophy Davos-Schatzalp 1996

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Course announcer Johannes Hübner - 2nd Mountain Trophy Davos-Schatzalp 1996

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alfa Romeo 8C Monza (1930) - at the 2nd Mountain Trophy Davos-Schatzalp 1996

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alvis Special (1929) - at the 2nd Mountain Trophy Davos-Schatzalp 1996

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Alvis Special (1930) - at the 2nd Mountain Trophy Davos-Schatzalp 1996

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

American La France (1911) - at the 2nd Mountain Trophy Davos-Schatzalp 1996

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Amilcar CGS (1924) - at the 2nd Mountain Trophy Davos-Schatzalp 1996

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

BMW 328 (1938) - at the 2nd Mountain Trophy Davos-Schatzalp 1996

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Bentley (1928) - at the 2nd Mountain Trophy Davos-Schatzalp 1996

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Bugatti 35C (1928) - at the 2nd Mountain Trophy Davos-Schatzalp 1996

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Bugatti Type 43 (1926) - at the 2nd Mountain Trophy Davos-Schatzalp 1996

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Citroën 11 BL Cabriolet (1938) - at the 2nd Mountain Trophy Davos-Schatzalp 1996

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Fiat Balilla (1928) - at the 2nd Mountain Trophy Davos-Schatzalp 1996

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Hudson 20 (1909) - at the 2nd Mountain Trophy Davos-Schatzalp 1996

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Invicta S-Type Low Chassis (1929) - at the 2nd Mountain Trophy Davos-Schatzalp 1996

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Lagonda Rapier Sport Roadster (1934) - at the 2nd Mountain Trophy Davos-Schatzalp 1996

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

MG Midget (1932) - at the 2nd Mountain Trophy Davos-Schatzalp 1996

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

MG TA (1936) - at the 2nd Mountain Trophy Davos-Schatzalp 1996

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

MG (1930) - at the 2nd Mountain Trophy Davos-Schatzalp 1996

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Morgan 4-4 (1936) - at the 2nd Mountain Trophy Davos-Schatzalp 1996

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Morgan Three Wheeler (1925) - at the 2nd Mountain Trophy Davos-Schatzalp 1996

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Riley Special (1935) - at the 2nd Mountain Trophy Davos-Schatzalp 1996

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

S.P.A.G (1922) - at the 2nd Mountain Trophy Davos-Schatzalp 1996

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

SS 100 Jaguar (1938) - at the 2nd Mountain Trophy Davos-Schatzalp 1996

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Wolseley Hornet (1934) - at the 2nd Mountain Trophy Davos-Schatzalp 1996

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Motorcycle on the mountain - 2nd Mountain Trophy Davos-Schatzalp 1996

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Rudge motorcycle on the ascent - 2nd Mountain Trophy Davos-Schatzalp 1996

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Physical exertion is also required for the sidecar - 2nd Davos-Schatzalp Mountain Trophy 1996

When logged in, you see more images in larger size.

Team on the climb - 2nd Mountain Trophy Davos-Schatzalp 1996

You have only

1 out of 53

images seen in high resolution

Summary

As beneficial as it is for the average driver, it destroys the illusion for historically enthusiastic racing fans: asphalt. A hill climb for cars from the era before the widespread sealing of surfaces is only truly authentic on a loose surface. That's why in 1995 and 1996, pre-war classics were chased along an unpaved forest path in Davos as a tribute to the time when daredevil men and women used 500 hp projectiles on bicycle tires to beat their way up the narrowest gravel tracks - without any crash barriers or run-off zones. This article recalls the Oldtimer Mountain Trophy Davos-Schatzalp and shows the action in many pictures.

Estimated reading time: 3min

Preview (beginning of the article)

Hill climbs for historic vehicles have one glaring disadvantage: no matter how old the means of transportation is, the environment is always that of the 21st century. In terms of the race track, this almost always means: good construction, modern track safety and smooth asphalt from start to finish. This may certainly fulfill its purpose as a popular pre-war spectacle. However, the acoustic experience is at best a reflection of the atmosphere of the 1930s. The driving experience on the perfect track is at best a vague approximation. This was also the case in the canton of Graubünden in 1995, when the first "Oldtimer-Berg-Trophy Davos-Schatzalp" was held from September 22 to 24. Even though the density of historic mountain races was not yet too high at that time. After the Klausen Race Memorial in August 1993, the event in the shadow of the Schiahorn was only the second of its kind and did not even have a historical role model. Unlike on the Klausen Pass, which has since been asphalted, the track conditions here were just like in grandfather's day.

Welcome to Zwischengas!