From September 8 to 10, 2023, the Kilomètre Lancé will take place for the third time as the opening event of the International St. Moritz Automobile Week. Historic aircraft are expected to arrive at Engadin Airport on Friday. On Saturday, cars and motorcycles will compete in sprint races.
Mercedes-Benz Heritage is not only bringing aerodynamic milestones such as the 540 K "Berlin-Rome" from 1938 to St. Moritz, but also Le Mans-winning vehicles. Bernd Mayländer will be on show in the Sauber-Mercedes C 9, the winning car of the 1989 24 Hours of Le Mans, which is capable of speeds of around 400 kilometers per hour. The official world record attempt by local hero Indi Schläfli will also be exciting. He will be pulled on rollerblades by the 830 hp Ferrari 812 Superfast, which will accelerate him to 200 km/h.
Spectacle for two-wheel enthusiasts
There is also something for motorcycle enthusiasts. The Brough Superior SS 100 sprints against the German DKW 250 SS "charge pump", while other famous motorcycles such as the Norton Manx and a BMW R 68 from 1952 also take part. Modern superbikes, spectacular custom motorcycles and representatives of alternative drive concepts round off the extensive portfolio of two-wheelers.
The Porsche diesel race becomes a national competition. After the lunch break, all 15 "red noses" will compete against each other with a Le Mans start. In the late afternoon, the three fastest tractor enthusiasts from Italy and South Tyrol will duel with the three fastest Germans. Incidentally, most of the Porsche diesels will be traveling on their own. A total of around 100 selected vehicles can be seen on the runway this weekend.
The jury for the "Driven by Design" award, headed by Prof. James Kelly, is once again top-class. As a reminder: all participants will be judged by this international jury at full acceleration, as the vehicles have a completely different appearance at full speed. They literally claw into the asphalt and can be heard and smelled.
Between full throttle and high-altitude thrills
A few of the most experienced pilots from the Swiss and German classic car scene come to the Engadin with their lovingly restored historic aircraft for the "Fly High".
In addition to lightweights such as the Erco Ercoupe or the Globe Swift and the Beechcraft 18 equipped with two powerful radial engines, other celebrities from aviation history have also been announced: a Pitts Spezial, the most sought-after vintage aircraft of all aerobatic planes, and a former Swiss military training aircraft, a North American T-6. However, the star of Fly High 2023 is without doubt a so-called "warbird", a Mustang from 1944.
Further information can be found on the organizer's website.
