The route from Dornach to Gempen is peppered with bends and forest passages and is ideal for a hill climb. On September 20, 2014, the Gempen Memorial will commemorate the hill climb from 1911 to 1947 for the second time.
The legend of 1911 lives on
The Gempen Memorial continues the tradition of the original 1911 event. Back then, the "fastest" driving time from Oberdornach to Gempen was determined in an exciting mountain test drive among the very differently motorized vehicles using a complex correction formula.
Against the impressive backdrop of sometimes over 10,000 spectators, a few real hill climbs followed in the 1920s. After the last event for the time being in 1947, the Classic Group of the ACS beider Basel revived the myth of the "mountain test drive" in 2011 to mark the 100th anniversary of the first competition.
Precision instead of speed
At the Gempen Memorial, the teams of drivers compete on the attractive mountain course at the foot of the Gempenfluh at a winding 5200 meters, trying to achieve their own time target from the training run as precisely as possible. The winner is therefore not the fastest driver from Dornach to Gempen, but the participant with the best tactics and the most precise driving skills.
On the 1st Memorial, the winner even came within 1/100th of a second of his time. Even though the maximum permitted average speed is limited by the regulations to 49.9 km/h, the automotive gems will still be speeding around the 30 bends at Gempen in places.
Museum technology on wheels
Fascinated by the technology and aesthetics of the old racing cars, thousands of fans of historic vehicles will once again flock to the Gempen to experience the revival of the 1911 legend up close.
The Gempen Memorial is an exclusive event for lovers of old cars, a classic car festival for the whole family and a social event in an incomparable setting - a historic racing atmosphere you can touch.
Up to 1964
The Gempen Memorial is open to classic cars built between 1911 and 1964. The entry fee is CHF 450 and the closing date for registration is August 21, 2014.
Further information can be found on the event website.
