The Ennstal-Classic 2023 kicks off in a week: On 19 July, the organizers are working right up to the last minute to equip the 31st edition of the classic rally with unique features.
Prominent cars
In addition to the already well-known celebrities among the cars (for example: The oldest car in the field, a Bentley 3/4.5 Litre Speed Model built in 1924 and driven by Teddy and Joseph Jöbstl, or the legendary overall winner of the 1961 Targa Florio, the wonderful Ferrari 246SP, which has been driven by legends such as Count Wolfgang Berghe von Trips, Richie Ginther, Phil Hill, Innes Ireland and Pedro Rodriguez), the organizers can also point out a special appearance that was organized at the last minute, so to speak.
Porsche Design Grand Prix
The legendary Porsche 356 Roadster with the number 1, the first Porsche car in history, will start at the Porsche Design Grand Prix in Gröbming. None other than Wolfgang Porsche himself will be driving the automotive legend, which founded the success story of the Porsche company in Gmünd, Carinthia, in 1948, then embarked on a journey around the world and finally found its way back to Porsche and was extensively restored. And: the car will be climate-neutral on this occasion - refueled with eFuel.
On the road with synthetic fuel
In general, the topic of climate-friendly fuel will be addressed sympathetically at the Ennstal-Classic. For example, the legendary BMW 3.0 CSL of the Royal Bobsleigh Automobile Club will come to the Ennstal-Classic, also fueled with synthetic fuel. The fantastic vehicle will be driven by Christian Geistdörfer, a multiple participant in the Ennstal-Classic, but above all known as Walter Röhrl's legendary co-driver during his greatest successes. The phrase that Röhrl used to bark at his co-driver when he wanted to really let it fly in the next stage has long been part of the general anecdotal vocabulary of all rally fans. "Geistdörfer, schnoi di au!"
37 Porsche
Also on the grid: a tribute to 75 years of Porsche, with 37 cars of the brand from 1952 onwards at the start. One of the Porsches will be driven by two-time Olympic champion Aksel Lund Svindal, who has been a brand ambassador and enthusiastic car enthusiast for many years. Also on the grid: Racing legends such as Strietzel Stuck, Richard Lietz and Dieter Quester, celebrity chef Toni Mörwald is making his first appearance and ex-McLaren race director Jo Ramirez is already a permanent guest in the Ennstal. David Brabham, ex-F1 driver and son of three-time world champion Jack Brabham, Sigi Wolf and Hans Peter Spak have long been regulars at the Ennstal-Classic. Taking part for the first time this year: entertainer and petrolhead Mat Schuh.
For the youngsters too
The "Vredestein Youngster Trophy" proves that classic car festivals such as the Ennstal-Classic do not only attract the older generation of car enthusiasts, as it has been attracting the next generation of rally drivers for years and is particularly popular this year. Last year's runners-up, Magdalena and Margarita Voglar, will be competing again, as will the surprise winners of the Planai-Classic 2023, Florian Pachleitner and Christopher Wischenbart, and Instagram star Jonas "Jonnys Garage" Lach from Germany. A total of 15 teams comply with the Trophy's "under 30 rule", so it will be interesting to see how the "young guns" perform.
Further information can be found on the event website.
