With around 150 participants and many other enthusiastic spectators, the 38th Kitzbühel Alpine Rally was not only a complete success, it was also an ode to the fascination of cars. The most exclusive and at the same time most diverse field of starters for years created enthusiasm throughout the entire Alpine region.
Exceeding all expectations
Not only did the field of participants exceed all expectations, the weather also played along. The Alpenrallye started on Thursday in the sunshine with the traditional prologue towards St. Johann airfield. The Air Independence Airfield Challenge on the cordoned-off airfield offered unlimited driving fun and a first exciting special stage.
Friday was once again the literal highlight of the Alpine Rally: the new route with a turning point at the Franz-Josephs-Höhe on the Grossglockner gave the participants even more time on Austria's highest and probably most beautiful pass road.
On the last stage on Saturday, the start in Kitzbühel was once again one of the most southerly points on the route. The route took the participants around Lake Chiemsee and back to Tyrol via the Tatzelwurm road. When the participants arrived back in Kitzbühel on Saturday afternoon, hundreds of car enthusiasts had gathered to give the almost 150 vehicles a fitting finish.
Sporting enthusiasm in all classes
As in previous years, the demanding regularity tests were held in four classes. In the Sport Plus, Sport, Classic and Exotic categories, the participants demonstrated their skills in up to 17 special stages.
Overall victory and victory in the Sport Plus class went to the experienced duo Alexander Linz and Michaela Beznaus in their Alfa Romeo Giulia Carabinieri - as in 2023 and two other times.
In the Sport class, in which electronic timekeeping is also permitted, Burckhard Müller and Fabian Mohr secured first place with their 250 SL. Ulrich and Petra Knieling won the Classic class with a Mercedes-Benz Pagoda from 1970.
The Exotics class, in which special vehicles without a year of manufacture restriction are registered, once again recorded large growth. Thies Bruhn and Rudolph Knepper won the class in a 1989 Porsche Speedster.
The jury chose Frank Koydl's elegant, dark green Ferrari 330 GTS as the most beautiful car of the Alpine Rally.
