The morning "after" presented a sad picture: the maintenance team had just scraped the last rubber residue from the road, the race posters had been removed and the flags had been taken down ... in other words: the 11th Lenzerheide Motor Classics were history! At the correct speed and paying attention to oncoming traffic, the first guests rode off early in the morning with their downhill bikes on their racks towards the Rothornbahn, where just a day before there had been a lot of hustle and bustle in the paddock parking lot and the smell of rubber, engine oil and synthetic petrol hung in the air.
Many highlights
The 11th LMC was characterized by numerous highlights! The first highlight was the glorious weather on Saturday. Although the weather forecasts were rather gloomy and rainy, the first day of racing was almost entirely rain-free and sometimes under blue skies. Sunday also started with a dry track, and it wasn't until the afternoon that the weather stopped cooperating. When a heavy thunderstorm moved over the Heide towards the end of the event, the OC boss and race director Hans Orsati stopped the event at 5 p.m. and the last two races literally fell into the water - but an absolutely sensible decision, considering the major risks, especially aquaplaning!
The organizers were accordingly delighted that around 10,000 to 12,000 spectators made the pilgrimage to Lenzerheide over the three days to marvel at the contemporary witnesses from almost 100 years of racing history in action on the track, divided into 9 racing fields, and to talk shop with the drivers about their hobby in the freely accessible paddock.
Rare and special vehicles
There were countless rarities to marvel at, both cars and motorcycles, which cannot all be listed here! Particularly noteworthy was the participation of Dr. Christian Jenny, who brought the original Jaguar XK 120 from his collection to Lenzerheide, in which Albert "Bätsch" Scherrer won the Tiefencastel-Lenzerheide race in 1951 in the prestigious over 3000 cm3 class.
Christian Jenny, who drove the beautifully shaped and powerful Jaguar confidently and safely around the circuit, was presented with the "LMC Special Recognition Award 2024" at a small ceremony on Sunday. for the preservation and presentation of this legendary vehicle - one of the few surviving contemporary witnesses from the racing history of the Lenzerheide Motor Classics.
Lots going on away from the race track too
The physical well-being of participants and visitors was also well catered for, as this year for the first time a wide range of food and drink was offered at numerous food stands in the extended paddock. In a tent, young and old could even put their driving skills to the test on a vintage Carrera racetrack from the 70s. A similar experience, albeit on a slightly larger scale, was offered to the kids on Friday evening when, after the traditional parade from the paddock to the village center, they were able to sit in one of the professional soapboxes provided and dream of a career as a racing driver.
But the older visitors also got their money's worth: those who booked early enough were able to drift around the race track in one of the race cabs and experience a real racing atmosphere with a professional at the wheel - pure adrenaline!
No harm to the climate
As far as climate protection is concerned, all (!) kilometers driven by the participants and visitors were offset again this year and over 20 drivers refueled their race cars with SynFuel - a synthetic fuel that is 100% fossil-free and 85% climate-neutral.
Thanks to the helpers and supporters
The organization would like to thank the countless volunteers, without whom an event of this magnitude would be unthinkable. The same applies to the numerous sponsors, partners and patrons, whose contributions have made a significant contribution to the fact that, on the one hand, the participation fee only had to be increased slightly despite the massive rise in costs and, on the other hand, the highest level of safety could be guaranteed under the patronage of ACS.
Last but not least, the Lenzerheide Motor Classics would like to thank all the authorities, associations and security services for their support and the local population for their understanding of the unavoidable emissions and traffic restrictions.
A date for the 12th Lenzerheide Motor Classics has already been set. It is best to enter June 13 - 15, 2025 in the agenda right away.
