The twelfth edition of this traditional winter rally - which runs from January 14 to 17, 2015 - has a few new features in store. This time, the destination is Kitzbühel in Tyrol. The WinterRAID will stay there for two days and the event will also end there on Saturday, January 17 at around 16:00.
Preparations for the start will begin on Wednesday, January 14, with car acceptance. The prologue for the famous "White Star of St. Moritz" will follow in the evening.
The "White Star of St. Moritz" - a famous (and coveted!) winter trophy
Since the first WinterRAID, the Kur- und Verkehrsverein St. Moritz has been awarding what is surely the most famous trophy of all winter events for historic automobiles. The "White Star of St. Moritz" is an extraordinary and beautiful object in and of itself. Equally exceptional - and has been for the past 12 years - is the ceremony at which it is presented to the winner. This will take place on Wednesday evening in the park of the Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains in St. Moritz.
The park is covered in snow, the lights of the famous hotel bathe the scene in magical light, above the drivers the starry night sky of St. Moritz and then - as soon as the winner is announced - a many-voiced toast with the famous and here particularly sparkling champagne: all this is unique, all this can only be found in St. Moritz and at the WinterRAID.
On Thursday, January 15, early in the morning, the traditional start takes place on Via Rosatsch in St. Moritz-Bad. The first stage to Kitzbühel is also the longest stage of the WinterRAID.
At the Tirolia in Kitzbühel
A 5-star hotel in Kitzbühel has been reserved exclusively for the WinterRAID. The Hotel Grand Tirolia, a beautiful hotel located just outside the town, is the real stronghold of the WinterRAID for two days. As the entire hotel is reserved for the winter rally, the RAID drivers keep to themselves.
The elegant hotel has a great spa area, which the participants can enjoy to the full: the daily stages have been shortened as far as possible for the 12th WinterRAID. This is also with the intention of allowing the riders to enjoy the comfort of this unique hotel resort after a strenuous, wintry ride.
Uphill and downhill
The mountains and passes in the Salzkammergut and Berchtesgadener-Land and many hairpin bends in Upper Bavaria are the challenges for the rally teams. The new concept with Kitzbühel as the destination makes it possible to fully enjoy the winter driving pleasure every day. Unchanged and in keeping with tradition, St. Moritz is the starting point of this classic car drive in the middle of winter, over ice and snow and through cold winter nights.
The registration deadline for the 12th WinterRAID 2015 is November 30, 2014.
Further information can be found on the WinterRAID website.
