It was not until the mid-1920s that motor vehicles were allowed on the roads of the Engadin. The potential benefits of the automobile for tourism were obvious and so the first International St. Moritz Automobile Week was launched in 1929. It was financed by donations from the local tourism industry at the time, which benefited from the fact that the automobile could appeal to completely new target groups.
The Automobile Week consisted of a rally, a kilometer race, a skills race, a beauty contest and finally the Bernina Race. The new edition of this hill climb, the Bernina Gran Turismo, has earned itself a place among the world's best since 2015 and is rightly considered one of the most beautiful events in the calendar of historic races.
The International St. Moritz Automobile Weeks of 1929 and 1930 opened with the so-called kilometer race on the Muschelstrasse. The dead-straight stretch of road between Samedan and Punt Muragl was the first asphalted road in the Engadin and the venue for this spectacular race, in which the only thing that mattered was the top speed that could be achieved.
The new edition of the "International St. Moritz Automobile Week" will also kick off with a sprint race, the "Kilomètre Lancé - Alpine 1000", but on the Engadin Airport runway, which is closed for this purpose.
In keeping with the theme, the Automotive Film Festival St. Moritz offers cinematic delicacies from past decades, from 2021 for the first time with films from the car and motorcycle genres.
The historic "beauty contest" would be a Concours d'Elegance today - but the new "Motorsport Rendezvous" is more of a relaxed car garden party. The park in front of the Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains provides a worthy setting.
Nestled between the Motorsport Rendezvous and the Bernina Gran Turismo, an auction by the renowned auction house RM Sotheby's took place on the grounds of the Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains, another highlight in the international classic car calendar.
The new International St. Moritz Automobile Week will also be crowned in the modern era with the Bernina Race, the Bernina Gran Turismo. The technical vehicle inspection will also take place in front of the Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains and offers the opportunity to observe the racing cars at close quarters before the Automobile Week reaches its climax on the magnificent race track, the Bernina Pass road between La Rösa and the top of the pass.
Kilomètre Lancé from September 8 to 9, 2023
The Kilomètre Lancé, organized by Solitude GmbH as the opening event of the International St. Moritz Automobile Week, has become an unparalleled mobility festival. Nowhere else in Europe do past and present record-breaking vehicles have a similar presentation forum.
Targa Poschiavo Engiadina from September 9 to 11, 2023
The Targa Poschiavo is a classic car rally with a focus on vehicles built between 1905 and 1926. (All pre-war vehicles are welcome.) Too young for London-Brighton and too old for the Mille Miglia, there is no internationally significant event for this group to date.
The Targa Poschiavo aims to change that! It will be interesting and also age-appropriately fast-paced with exits, mountain routes and culinary delights. Not only Schnauferl drivers, but also sports cars from this era of the automobile will feel at home.
To the discussion - Mobility Forum St. Moritz
At the Mobility Forum St. Moritz, everything revolves around our mobility - not only classic mobility, but also the mobility of the present and future. One of the most important topics is the question of fuel. At the moment, everyone is talking about electromobility and, unfortunately, it is also being proclaimed by politicians as a form of future mobility with virtually no alternative. But there is much more to it. Science and industry agree that other concepts must also be given space.
Super Stick Shift from September 12 to 14, 2023
"When Supercars were Superstars" is the motto of the latest edition of the St. Moritz International Automobile Week, the "Super Stick Shift" rally. Close your eyes for a moment and think of the opening sequence of "Cannonball Run": Did the girls in the Countach have ESP, ABS, DSC and servo? Probably not, but they had fun - driving, not "being in danger". Simple rules:
Intended exclusively for super sports cars built between 01.01.1974 and 31.12.1995, when there were no electronic driving aids. The hand-shifted driving pleasure was pure and had to do with skill rather than dawdling. Exactly the vehicles that were not only the most sought-after trump cards in the quartet of cars, but still trigger emotions today:
The "Super Stick Shift" rally takes participants on two eventful days over a total of around 750 kilometers on some of the most spectacular Alpine roads around St. Moritz.
For the first time: Ferrari Legends St. Moritz from September 12 to 14, 2023
The "Ferrari Legends" rally takes participants on two eventful days of driving over a total distance of around 750 kilometers on some of the most spectacular Alpine roads in Switzerland and Italy.
Now even longer - The Motorsport Rendezvous from September 13 to 15, 2023
The Motorsport Rendezvous is not just a traditional exhibition of over-restored luxury cars, but also focuses on collector's cars and modern luxury vehicles. A relaxed atmosphere to talk about passion and experience scenic roads on a wonderful drive. The event is primarily intended as a fun pastime for owners and guests to drive and admire their gems.
An exclusive event that celebrates an upscale lifestyle in a very relaxed and modern way. One day lying on the grass and partying.
On the second day, take a tour over the mountain passes.
Also new: Motorsport Driving Day on September 15, 2023
The Motorsport Driving Day is open to all participants of the Motorsport Rendezvous and all other St. Moritz Automobile Week events.
This is a relaxed tulip rally for all types of road-legal vehicles. No checkpoints, no time trials, just pure driving fun.
The RM/Sotheby's auction on September 15, 2023
After the success of the past two years, the RM Sotherby's auction cannot be missed by Automobilwoche. The auction for classic and modern collector's cars will take place on September 15.
The finale - Bernina Gran Turismo from September 15 to 17, 2023
The successful blend of historic mobility, motor sport, competition and modern luxury offers participants a unique and unforgettable experience. The Bernina Gran Turismo takes place on a section of the original route on the Bernina Pass that is closed specifically for the hill climb. There are more than 50 bends on the 5.7 km from La Rösa to the top of the pass - pure adrenaline! A total of around 450 meters in altitude are overcome. The opportunity to have the pass road all to yourself in the midst of the high alpine surroundings offers the perfect driving experience. The Bernina Gran Turismo is designed for classic racing and sports cars from the pre- and post-war period up to model year 1990 - whereby the more exotic a potential participant's vehicle is, the more modern it must be.
Further information can be found on the website of the event series.
