Something for everyone - that is the motto of the St. Moritz International Automobile Week. Until 1925, cars were still forbidden on the dusty roads of the Upper Engadine. The then head of Shell felt disturbed by the dust raised by the early motorists playing golf in St. Moritz and had the first road between Samedan and Pontresina tarred without further ado, which is why the road was henceforth called Shellstrasse. Just a few years later, in 1929, the International St. Moritz Automobile Week was launched in response to the enthusiasm for mobility and to attract tourists.
The series of events consisted of a kilometer race on the aforementioned Shellstrasse, a beauty contest in front of the Kurhaus (now the Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains), skill races and a rally.
The crowning finale of the St. Moritz Automobile Week was the Bernina Race, won by Hans Stuck in an Austro Daimler in 1929 and by Chiron in a Bugatti in 1930. Top-class drivers were at the start!
Success
The plan worked, the number of people seeking relaxation increased, and the rest is high-society history. It was also possible to draw on the fame of the 1928 Winter Olympics. And so it took until 2015 for a small group around the collector, patron and motorsport enthusiast Kurt Alexander Engelhorn to really revive the Bernina race.
"Imagine if the Mille Miglia and the Goodwood Festival of Speed had a child in the Swiss Alps"
The Bernina Gran Turismo, the new name of the traditional event, soon achieved international cult status. On numerous platforms, people praised "The Bernina Gran Turismo is the best event I've been to all year" or "Imagine if the Mille Miglia and Goodwood's Festival of Speed had a Baby in the Swiss Alps".
Forbes magazine also spoke of the "World's Most Beautiful Vintage Racing Competition" and thus contributed to the good reputation of the race.
Last but not least, it was also the great cooperation with St. Moritz that allowed the event to develop steadily. The field of participants was limited to 80 vehicles right from the start. Of course, the organizers had the idea early on to revive not only the Bernina Race, but also the entire Automobile Week.
In 2020, the year of the pandemic, most events were postponed or canceled altogether, while the "BGT" took place undisturbed. And in the second year of coronavirus, it was even joined by two other events: Kilomètre Lancé - Alpine 1000 and Motorsport Rendezvous.
The new St. Moritz International Automobile Week was born.
First the Kilomètre Lancé
As historically prescribed, the kilometer race opened the series of events, the Motorsport Rendezvous took place at the former Kurhaus and the week was crowned by the Bernina Gran Turismo.
The Kilomètre Lancé - Alpine 1000 acceleration race no longer takes place on the historic Shell road, of course, but right next door within sight, on the runway of Engadin Airport. There, international air traffic is interrupted for a few hours and the scenery is taken over by classic cars and historic motorcycles. Then, instead of a private jet, the legendary Blitzen Benz from 1919 thunders down the straight, followed by the legendary Wisconsin Special, another prehistoric displacement monster. An old Benelli racing motorcycle competes with a Maserati 250F and an Abarth record-breaking car tries to keep up with the world record Jabbeke Jaguar XK 120 by Norman Dewis. The new kilometer race is a wild event.
Then the garden party
In contrast, the Motorsport Rendezvous is more like a luxurious garden party and gives the impression of a Concours d'Elegance without actually being one. The Kurpark in front of the Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains, which had already provided a magnificent backdrop 92 years earlier, has a dignified, relaxed atmosphere.
The highlights of the event are presented in the afternoon at the Paradiso Mountain Club in a high alpine setting. Images for automotive eternity that can only be created in St. Moritz - "over the Top of the World".
With auction
Finally, a special highlight was the first RM Sotheby's auction in Switzerland, which ended with the sale of 18 of the 24 vehicles consigned and total proceeds of 18 million Swiss francs.
The hill climb at the end
And finally, the new International St. Moritz Automobile Week once again came to a crowning conclusion with the Bernina Gran Turismo.
Expansion for 2022
This success in 2021 was reason enough to add another three new events to the calendar for 2022. The Targa Poschiavo Engiadina, a two-day rally for pre-war vehicles from 1905 to 1962 - too young for London-Brighton and too old for the Mille Miglia (but open to all pre-war cars!). A refreshing event, adapted to the aged vehicles, which nevertheless want to be challenged. Around 100 years ago, the challenges of crossing a mountain pass were much greater than they are today. Nevertheless, some veterans take the climbs surprisingly easily - a lack of power is more than compensated for by great torque and enthusiasm.
Then comes Super Stick Shift, also a rally, but this time for analog super sports cars from 1974 to 1995: from Porsche 2.7RS and Lamborghini Countach to Ferrari GTO, F40 and F50, everything with two doors, a manual gearbox and no electronic assistants is welcome. Two days over the passes of the high Alps, including the Stelvio Pass, will certainly not leave the participants unimpressed. Naturally, there will be evening events at the highest Swiss St. Moritz level.
In addition, the Mobility Forum St. Moritz will draw attention to classic and current mobility topics. And, of course, there will once again be an auction by RM Sotheby's.
Incidentally, all driving events are limited to around 80 participants, which allows for an almost informal atmosphere and guarantees a certain exclusivity in a safe environment.
"Despite the limited number of participants, it's not too late to register!"
There are many "repeat offenders" and the big names of the scene are always there. In addition to racing drivers such as Striezel Stuck, Arthurio Merzario, Stefan Johannson and Andy Wallace, it is the enthusiasts from all over the world who make this event so endearing, exclusive and memorable. So why not become a part of it if the entry lists for 2022 are still open!
A car week to take part in
The International St. Moritz Car Week has what it takes to become a small "Monterey Car Week" in the heart of Europe. A car week that offers you the opportunity to be an active part of it. You can simply get into your own classic car, motorcycle or sports car at home, enjoy the journey along one of the wonderful roads that lead to St. Moritz and you are there - as an active member of the multi-layered community that makes up this hobby.
The highlight of the St. Moritz summer season also offers spectators the desired amenities of the famous resort.
They are welcomed to St. Moritz, are the guests of friends and can experience historic mobility as a cultural asset worth preserving among like-minded people. Some will take part in an event, some will "just" watch. But everyone is an active part of the whole.
Kilomètre Lancé - Alpine 1000 from September 2 to 4, 2022
The kilometer race at Engadin Airport is the only acceleration race for classic vehicles in Europe over a distance of 1000 meters. It is open to motorcycles and cars, with the focus in 2022 on Design in Motion and Record Cars. Parking spaces in the immediate vicinity are somewhat limited, so please pay attention to the current signage.
Targa Poschiavo Engiadina for the first time (September 3 to 5, 2022)
A driving-active classic car rally for pre-war vehicles. The main focus is on vehicles built between 1905 and 1926 - too young for London-Brighton and too old for the Mille Miglia. But other pre-war model years are also accepted! A route profile adapted to the old vehicles, combined with the right route length and unforgettable evening events, promises a special experience. The track will be published online, offering plenty of opportunity for car-spotting!
Also for more modern cars Super Stick Shift (September 5 to 7, 2022)
"When supercars were superstars" is the motto of the rally for analog, two-door super sports cars from 1974 to 1995. Challenging routes with driving fun in abundance, because with these vehicles you still have to drive yourself and are not driven.
Whether Lamborghini Diablo or Monteverdi Hai, whether Bugatti EB110 or de Tomaso Pantera, whether Ferrari F40 or Alfa Romeo SZ - a drive with like-minded people over the mountain passes around St. Moritz makes every driver's heart beat faster! This route is also published on the homepage and there are numerous good spots to experience the former heroes of every car quartet live.
For discussion - Mobility Forum
A new forum for presentations and discussions on classic and current mobility topics of yesterday, today and tomorrow. One of the most important current topics is eFuels, because without synthetic fuels it may soon no longer be possible to move the more than 1.3 billion combustion engines (cars only) worldwide. But the future of large vehicle collections (next generation) is also an issue, as are risk assessments and collection management. An exact schedule will probably only be available on the homepage shortly before the event. Admission is limited, but free while space lasts.
The Motorsport Rendezvous 2022 (September 6 to 8, 2022)
A luxurious, relaxed car garden party, between racing and sports cars, as well as vehicles from special themed areas, such as movie cars or collection focuses. This is how the Motorsport Rendezvous sees itself. Although not a stiff Concours d'Elegance in the conventional sense, there will still be a jury.
Two days full of petrolhead discussions, one of which will include a tour that is also open to participants' modern vehicles if, for example, the exhibited racing car is not road-legal. Admission for spectators is free of charge thanks to the generous support of the municipality of St. Moritz.
The RM/Sotheby's auction on September 9, 2022
Following the success of last year's premiere, in which 18 out of 24 vehicles were sold and raised a total of SFR 18 million, RM Sotheby's will once again hold an auction for classic and modern collector's vehicles.
The crowning finale in 2022: Bernina Gran Turismo (September 8 to 11, 2022)
The famous hill climb on the closed Bernina Pass. The 5.7 km long race track with over 50 bends has been approved by the FIA and meets the highest safety standards. The finish area is easily accessible by public transport with the Rhaetian Railway from St. Moritz or Pontresina or from the Diavolezza parking lot. A short walk will take you to some wonderful viewpoints along the route. The Bernina Gran Turismo is also free of charge.
All information about the ten-day event can be found on the St. Moritz International Automobile Weeks website.
