Moonwalk Trophy 2023 - The night of the fog!
The ACS Graubünden, or rather Martin Studach and his OC team, once again invited participants to the Moonwalk Trophy on June 30 / July 1, 2023, this time starting in Fügen in the Zillertal. So it was time for all participants to set off early on Friday morning.
At the starting point, the Hotel Schiestl, we met many familiar faces, but also some new ones. The starting field had grown once again and there was a colorful mix of great vehicles at the start. Two other Audi quattros were also there, and we quattronauts set off at 5.20 p.m. with a 20-minute delay. A quick refuel and everyone was already in rally fever.
The weather was initially better than forecast, but unfortunately that changed as the evening progressed. At times, we could barely see under the hood - even the best rally headlights were useless! Nevertheless, this was not enough to significantly affect the good mood, at most the pace ;-) Many exciting tasks and a great route awaited us. Again and again we met participants at a petrol station, at a post where a task had to be solved, or then for dinner at the Rifugio near Cortina d'Ampezzo. After a quick exchange of experiences over dinner, we enjoyed a delicious supper and then it was time to continue. The first funny and exciting stories were already being told - and who else was on the way or would be joining them. Team LautiSport and Tinner/Hug were well coordinated and took turns leading the group. Team André and Andreas in the Jaguar were still waiting for Patricia at dinner, who was a little late behind in her Mini.
The rain and especially the thick fog made driving conditions tricky and progress was slower than expected. Okay, our oldies are at a disadvantage here compared to the modern light quality of new cars. Nevertheless, we could always see what was in the way :-)
Between 1 and 3 o'clock in the morning, in the heart of the Dolomites, we certainly drove through 4 police checkpoints. Did anyone know (or hear) that we were coming? But we were always waved through in a friendly manner - after all, we were always well-behaved on the road! - Other participants with modern cars had to stop - well, we have clear advantages in our old cars! Sympathy vs. envy or whatever. The hours got longer and longer towards the morning, and despite all the wake-up calls and frequent driver swaps, we could feel the strain in our old cars (and bones). The rain, the heat in the car and the concentration were already exhausting and we were glad to have completed our last task with a morning coffee at 5:30 am.
From then on it was another two hours of speedy driving to our destination of Caorle near Sirmione/Venice. After more than 14.5 hours across the Dolomites, Trentino and down to the sea, we were glad to have reached our destination.
We checked in at 07:30, took care of the car in the garage and took an "extensive" 45-minute power nap before going to breakfast and the award ceremony. Then it was time for bed until 15:30. Afterwards we went to the beach, enjoyed cool drinks and an ice cream, and took a short stroll through Caorle. Unfortunately, the dinner was somewhat modest in terms of enjoyment, but the conversations at the table and afterwards in the bar of the Hotel Bern(er) were all the more amusing and exciting. After a restful night, we all agreed that we were getting older and would not be able to cope with the stresses and strains of the previous night so quickly. But what we had experienced left us in no doubt that we would soon be repeat offenders.
Now it was time to head back home on the highway via Bologna, Milan and the San Bernadino. We had another 650 km and seven hours of driving ahead of us. We rode together with Team Tinner/Hug as far as Mesocco, then Üse and I took the San Bernadino Pass for a short ride.
After a total of 1687 km and three great days on the road with friends, we were home. An experience that no one can take away from us, that calls for a repeat - and where you are dead tired, but at the same time fit for the next time! And the quattros were soon clean again and ready for the next event! Thanks to Martin, the girls and the ACS GR. It was cool, varied and excitingly organized. There's always room for improvement and we can all help to optimize it by coming back and having fun together!
Thank you for the great time, all the organization and the commitment to our passion!
P.S. And don't forget, Martin Studach and the ACS Graubünden are also organizing the Friday Classic, which will take place next time in May 2024.
