A few weeks ago, the last Dolder Classics took place on Zurich's local mountain ...
... and organizer Christoph Lehmann is thinking about the coming season, almost inevitably, as a change of location is imminent. In this interview, he explains the background:
Zwischengas (ZG): This season is over - satisfied?
Christoph Lehmann (CL): Yes, absolutely. With two unplanned postponements from May to June, we were able to hold all four events at the Dolder as planned. With the appropriate protection concept, we didn't experience any problems, even in times of corona. Because other events were being canceled one after the other, more people came to us and on 13 September 2020, the finale, with fantastic weather, we were even able to set a new record for the whole day.
ZG: Are you now going into the winter break?
CL: It would be nice! The next season is already calling again and 2021 is not to be missed!
ZG: Why is that?
CL: We will no longer be at the Dolder and will be moving to Motorworld in the Valley in Kemptthal.
ZG: How did that come about?
CL: In 2020, we celebrated our tenth DolderClassics. We have felt at home at the Dolder for years and have been appreciated. However, for some time now, with new management at the Dolder, more and more problems have arisen. We have the impression that we no longer speak the same language and that people want us gone. It's as simple as that.
ZG: But now it's getting complicated?
CL: No, not at all. We understood immediately and also immediately received great offers for a new location. We have found an incredibly understanding partner in Motorworld. We speak the same language, have the same spirit and complement each other.
The location in Kemptthal is simply a dream. Away from the cramped conditions in the Dolder, with its bottleneck at the entrance and exit, which puts a strain on visitors' nerves, and a great range of gastronomy, exhibitions, racing simulation etc. etc. In every respect, we can offer added value to the participants, who no longer have to drive through Zurich. The catering, as we have repeatedly heard visitors complain, costs a lot at the Dolder and offers almost nothing, is also a thing of the past. We are looking forward to Kemptthal.
ZG: For 10 years you have presented the event under the name Dolder-Classics. Is a change of name, e.g. Motorworld-Classics, intended?
CL: No, DolderClassics is our brand - regardless of the location.
ZG: Dolder Classics was held on the artificial ice rink and at the wave pool near the city. There were many families who visited the Dolder Classics on the Sunday outing. How will the new venue affect visitors without classic cars?
CL: There will certainly be a shift in the flow of visitors - that's for sure. It's up to us to attract the non-car enthusiasts to Kemptthal. After all, the area is close to Kyburg Castle and on popular cycle routes... We'll see and of course we'll welcome as many people as possible.
Ready for next year
The dates for four Dolder Classics events in 2021 have already been set:
- May 9, 2021
- June 13, 2021
- August 8, 2021
- September 12, 2021
Further information and organizational details will soon be available on the Dolder Classics website.
Editor's note: The above interview led to a reaction from the previous event partner "Dolder Sports", which is reproduced here in full:
The other side: Dolder Sports looks forward to new proposals for "Dolder Classics"
For almost ten years, Dolder Sports and the event organizer Dolder Classics GmbH have jointly staged the "Dolder Classics" on Zurich's Adlisberg. Marc Bär, Head of Dolder Sports, says: "We have always particularly looked forward to the event and its participants.
He was all the more surprised when the now former event partner Christoph Lehmann recently announced on zwischengas.com that he was moving to Kemptthal: "We didn't know about these plans until we heard about them in the press," he explains. He also finds it regrettable that he will no longer be able to continue the collaboration: "Unfortunately, we weren't given the chance for an open conversation," he says. However, the fans of the event will be able to enjoy the new venue. Because for Dolder Sports, the passion for classic cars is always at the forefront.
"Dolder Classics" is tied to location
However, the management of Dolder Sports wants to make one point clear and addresses the issue of retaining the name "Dolder Classics" mentioned in the interview: "It is not possible to continue calling the event "Dolder Classics" despite the change of location," they emphasize. This is regulated by contract. Under "Other", it states: "The event name "Dolder Classics" may only be used as long as the event retains a connection to the Dolder Hotel AG". In addition, events containing "Dolder" are generally reserved exclusively for Dolder Hotel AG.
Marc Bär and his team are nevertheless looking forward to future events for classic fans: "Of course we will continue to be there for them!" says Bär. Dolder Sports says it is open to creative cooperation proposals from new event partners.
