The 18th Ötztal Classic will take place in Tyrol on August 5 and 6, 2016. The approximately 75 participants will visit various historic rest stops, all of which are older than all the vehicles combined.
Taking center stage with the classic car
Tirol is truly a suitable stage for classic cars and the members of the organizing Ötztal Classic Car Club know how to effectively showcase the "toys". A focal point needs peripheral phenomena and these are manifold at the 18th Ötztal Classic: on the one hand it is the breathtaking nature of the Ötztal, the Ötztal Alps and the Tyrolean Oberland. The route leads from the mountain roads of the Central Alps, along the northern Limestone Alps, across the Mieminger Plateau. On the other hand, the past has an impact in every respect: Alpine roads steeped in history, such as the Timmelsjochstrasse, on which Jochen Rindt once celebrated his first victories, are just as much a part of the route as the Innsbruck boulevard, the Maria-Theresien-Strasse. Every single historic rest stop that will be visited is older than all 75 participating vehicles combined.
Across Tyrol
The foundation stone for the Cistercian monastery in Stams was laid in 1273 by Count Meinhard II and the 2657 fire-gilded copper shingles of the Golden Roof in Innsbruck were, at least according to legend, made by Duke Friedrich with the empty pocket, who used them to prove his regained wealth around 1420.
The splendor of the historic buildings gives even the oldest cars a youthful appearance. This makes them all the more attractive to the public on the roadside across Tyrol as participants in the Ötztal Classic. The cars are parked directly in front of the imposing building of the Tyrolean State Theater.
36 classifications over 245 kilometers
The 18th Ötztal Classic also counts as an OMVV national championship race in 2016. The route length is 245 km, with 36 stages to be completed. There will be simple stamp controls, second-by-second starts, time trials and the special stages, which are particularly popular at classic car events and involve driving a route at a specified average speed. So that less passionate enthusiasts of historic vehicles can also enjoy the 18th Ötztal Classic, the Ötztal Classic Car Club has introduced a separate amateur driver classification in addition to the expert classification. This means that those who prefer to linger at the cultural venues can enjoy the moment without losing points.
Village Grand Prix in Ötz
On Friday, August 5, the Village Grand Prix is scheduled to take place in the historic village center of Ötz, where around 4,000 visitors are expected.
Due to the unique topography and the task of the Ötztal Classic 2016, the number of participants is limited to 75 vehicles. You can now register for the 14 remaining starting places here. You can also find all other important information about the event here.