It is eagerly awaited and contrary to all the rumors about problems, missing marshals and thin starting fields, the Klausen race will take place and there will be around 250 cars at the start!
Mercedes Benz W 25 returns to the Klausen
Mercedes race director Neubauer sent only Rudolf Caracciola and a Mercedes Benz W 25 Monoposto to compete against Hans Stuck's Auto Union at the Klausenrennen in 1934. However, Neubauer was of course aware of the vast experience of his top driver and he fulfilled all his hopes. He steered the Silver Arrow with starting number 65 to victory in a new record time that has not been beaten since.
In 2013, the time has come again and the W 25 will once again sound its eight-cylinder-in-a-row melody on the mountain. Roland Asch, two-time vice-champion of the German Touring Car Masters and winner of the German Hill Climb Prize, will be at the wheel. Asch's automotive career began back in 1973 with slalom races. Today, however, he no longer races. But he still can't do without motorsport, which is why the likeable Swabian is showing his passion for racing cars at this year's Klausenrennen.
Klausen racing cars from back then back on the mountain
Some of the vehicles that were on the starting grid between 1922 and 1934 will be competing again in 2013. Urs P. Ramseier knows all about their history:
Alois Muff (LU) took part in the Klausen race on August 6/7, 1932, with start no. 88 in his Bugatti 35 B (vintage 1931, 8 cylinders, 2,272 cc).
Alois Muff, who also made a name for himself as a country musician, drove a sensational race and finished an excellent fourth in the category of racing cars up to 3000 cc behind such illustrious names as Caracciola, Stuber and Earl Howe in 17 min. 25.60. Well-known international racing drivers (Tadini, Benoit, Lehoux, von Waldthausen, Pietsch) were only a few seconds behind him.
In the Illustrierte Automobil-Revue No. 3 of 1933, the intrepid "racing driver" Muff replied to the question about his best race: "I am happy to accept your invitation and tell you a few things about my racing experiences. After retiring from motorcycling, I was looking forward to my first car race. It was on the Jaun Pass, where I started for the first time with my Bugatti. I knew the route well enough. I couldn't expect a particularly good time from the outset, as I was a novice on the bike. I took part in the Klausen race full of hope. I will always remember the Klausen race and for me it is the best event I have ever ridden in. I still think back to the gentle nudge I received from Stuck's Mercedes.
During the first practice session, as you know, I was hampered by the rain and fog on the Urnerboden and had to stop very hard. At that moment, I heard a whine from the compressor and, bang, I was lying on my side 50 meters away. Mr. Stuck, who had started shortly after me, must not have paid enough attention to me at that moment and drove into my car at a speed of 150 km. The accident went as smoothly for me as you can imagine. I was quite satisfied with the time I achieved in the race."
In 1933, a host of guardian angels were again on the road with Alois Muff and his Bugatti on the Michaelskreuz mountain road, where he left the road and plunged 50 meters down a ravine. The Bugatti ended up against a tree, but Alois Muff miraculously escaped injury. Since then, of course, it has been rebuilt and will delight visitors to the Klausenrennen.
Derby Automobile in Courbevoie near Paris (1921 to 1933) had the Derby K4 1929 in its sales program, optionally with engines from Chapuis-Dornier, S.C.A.P., C.I.M.E. or Ruby. Ernst Schneider from Zurich was the representative/importer of the brand in Switzerland and raced Derby racing cars himself, but probably never in the K4 at Klausen, although he took part in the Klausen race for several years.
The Derby K4 from 1929, which will compete again in 2013, has a 1085 cc engine with a Cozette supercharger and is painted in the red and white racing colors used in Switzerland at the time.
The unrestored and original Bentley 4.5 liter supercharger with register number GK 3841 from 1930 is the eighteenth in a series of 50 "Blower Bentleys". In order to obtain homologation of the 4 "Blower Bentley works cars" for the 24-hour race at Le Mans, Bentley had to build a total of 50 road-legal Blower Bentleys. GK 3841 was the exhibition car of the famous coachbuilder Vanden Plas at the Olympia Car Show in London in 1930 and was delivered to R. Kershaw.
From 1946, the "Blower-Bentley" was owned by Alan M. Elliot, the well-known founder member of the "Bentley Drivers Club", who was also a personal friend of Jan Flemming, the author of numerous adventures of James Bond - Agent 007. It is said that Ian Flemming also often sat in the Bentley Blower, which will not be competing in the Klausenrennen 2013 in the "service of Her Majesty" but as a representative of the Cité de l'Automobile - Collection Schlumpf - Mulhouse.
The Maserati Tipo 26 first appeared in 1926 at the 1926 Targa Florio with Alfieri Maserati at the wheel and mechanic Guerrino Bertocchi as co-driver, won the 1500 cc liter class with starting number 5 and finished ninth overall. The 1931 Tipo 26 (8 cylinders, 1,493 cc) that will start in the 2013 Klausen Race has already competed in the 2002 and 2006 Klausen Race Memorial. It is the tenth Maserati to be built and delivered as a works car.
The Maserati 4CM (4 cylinders, 1,496 cc) from 1932 was registered by Conte Luigi Castelbarco from Milan for the Klausen Race on 7 July 1934 with the organizing ACS. In the category of racing cars up to 1500 cc, Conte Luigi Castelbarco achieved 4th place with a time of 23 minutes 5.40 seconds. Now the Maserati Tipo 4CM (after three appearances at the Klausenrennen Memorials since 1993) will return to Linthal for the 11th Klausenrennen.
A total of 18 Maserati 8CMs were built between 1933 and 1935 and sold mainly to private drivers. The 8CM made its first appearance in the Tunis Grand Prix, where Zehender took third place. In July 1933, Tazio Nuvolari won the Belgian Grand Prix at the wheel. The 8CM was very light at 785 kg, the 2992 cc engine produced around 240 hp thanks to the Roots supercharger and was capable of speeds of up to 240 km/h. However, the road holding of the version supplied by the factory was very poor, so the racing car had to be reinforced to improve stability.
Willy Escher, who at times owned a majority stake in Nestlé, financed the Hardturm stadium for the Grasshoppers football club and sold Bugatti racing cars in German-speaking Europe, was married to Nelly Braillard, who had a soft spot for the world of racing cars. Thanks to her husband, Nelly was able to found Ecurie Braillard with her brother Louis in 1933. One of their first racing cars was the Maserati Tipo 8CM (short for 8-cylinder monoposto) with the type plate 3015. After the Ecurie Braillard was dissolved, the Hungarian Count Ernö Festetics acquired the Maserati 3015. The Maserati 8CM remained in Hungary until 2007, when the current owner was able to acquire it, transport it to Switzerland and restore it. In the Hungarian national colors and in the configuration that the Maserati had in 1937, the monoposto will compete on the mountain in Glarnerland in 2013.
Major logistical project
In addition to the approximately 250 registered vehicles and drivers, 500 helpers will be on duty during the race weekend. The Klausen Race is therefore well prepared for the expected rush of visitors. If the weather cooperates, there could be up to 40,000 - as many as the entire canton of Glarus has inhabitants.
An event of this magnitude requires meticulous preparation and planning. For almost a year, men and women have been working in the background to process requests from riders, visitors and media representatives and to get the entire organization up and running. The office of the Klausen Race OC is staffed by four people.
The OC is headed by Fritz Trümpi. Like most of the helpers, the building contractor also has his daily business on the agenda. This requires a special commitment from everyone, which is only possible with a good portion of passion. The 500 helpers who lend a hand during the race weekend also need this passion. Be it with the catering, at the box offices and access controls, with guest support and track safety, at the marshals and in traffic management.
The registered vehicles in categories A and B
| Category | Start no. | Make | Type | Year | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B | 141 | American Le France | 40 Tourer | 1915 | CH |
| B | 142 | La France | Type 12 | 1917 | CH |
| B | 143 | Rolls-Royce | Hurricane | 1930 | CH |
| B | 151 | Charron | Phaeton | 1908 | CH |
| B | 152 | Locomobile | M48 Speed | 1916 | D |
| B | 153 | Brasier | Voiture de Cours | 1908 | FL |
| B | 154 | MG | M the Double Twelfe | 1930 | CH |
| B | 155 | Amilcar | CS 2347 | 1923 | D |
| B | 156 | Amilcar | CGSS | 1928 | CH |
| B | 157 | Amilcar | C6 | 1926 | CH |
| B | 158 | Amilcar | C6 | 1927 | CH |
| B | 159 | Derby | K4 | 1929 | CH |
| B | 160 | Amilcar | CGSS | 1928 | CH |
| B | 161 | Alvis | FWD | 1928 | CH |
| B | 162 | Lea Francis | M-Type Special | 1927 | CH |
| B | 163 | AC Car Carrier | Brooklands | 1924 | A |
| B | 164 | Rally Salmson | NCP | 1930 | CH |
| B | 165 | Rally | NCP R 15 G.P. | 1930 | D |
| B | 166 | Alfa Romeo | 6C 1750 SS con compr. | 1929 | D |
| B | 167 | Morris Cowley | Single Seater | 1926 | CH |
| B | 168 | Riley | Cope Special | 1929 | CH |
| B | 169 | Bugatti | Type 38 | 1927 | D |
| B | 170 | Bugatti | Type 38 | 1927 | |
| B | 171 | Lancia | Lambda | 1925 | CH |
| B | 172 | Gugatti | Type 43 Grand Sport | 1927 | D |
| B | 173 | Bugatti | Type 35B | 1929 | CH |
| B | 174 | Salmson | Aero Engine VAD 9 | 1926 | D |
| B | 175 | Alfa Romeo | RL Targa Florio | 1924 | CH |
| B | 176 | Bentley | Le Mans | 1924 | CH |
| B | 177 | Maserati | 26M | 1928 | CH |
| B | 178 | Bugatti | Type 49 | 1929 | CH |
| B | 179 | Marmon | T68 | 1928 | CH |
| B | 180 | Sunbeam | Tigress | 1927 | UK |
| B | 181 | Vauxhall | 30/98 | 1923 | B |
| B | 182 | Vauxhall | 30/98 | 1925 | B |
| B | 183 | Bentley | Le Mans | 1929 | CH |
| B | 184 | Bentley | 4.5 Litre Le Mans | 1929 | D |
| B | 185 | Invicta | S-Type Low Chassis | 1929 | CH |
| B | 186 | Invicta | 4.5 Competition | 1928 | D |
| B | 187 | Bentley | 4.5 Semi Le Mans | 1930 | CH |
| B | 188 | Nash | 480 Aeropower | 1930 | CH |
| B | 189 | Cadillac | 314 V8 Racer | 1926 | CH |
| B | 190 | Mercedes Benz | SSK 720 | 1929 | A |
| B | 191 | Riley | Brooklins Speed | 1930 | D |
| B | 192 | MG | K3 Magnette | 1934 | D |
| B | 193 | MG | Magnette K2 | 1933 | CH |
| B | 194 | MG | Magna L | 1933 | CH |
| B | 195 | MG | K3 Magette Mille Miglie | 1933 | A |
| B | 196 | Riley | Ulster Imp | 1934 | D |
| B | 197 | Riley | Nine Special Le Mans | 1936 | CH |
| B | 198 | MG | Magna L sc | 1934 | CH |
| B | 199 | MG | K3 | 1933 | CH |
| B | 200 | Wolseley | Hornet Special | 1934 | CH |
| B | 201 | MG | NA Roadster | 1934 | CH |
| B | 202 | MG | MG Magnette | 1936 | CH |
| B | 203 | MG | N Magnette Supercharger | 1936 | CH |
| B | 204 | MG | TA Special | 1937 | CH |
| B | 205 | MG | KN Special | 1935 | CH |
| B | 206 | Riley | 2 Seater Sport | 1934 | CH |
| B | 207 | MG | NA Special (K3) | 1935 | D |
| B | 208 | Riley | Gamecock | 1933 | D |
| B | 209 | Aston Martin | B 1500 | 1934 | CH |
| B | 210 | Riley | Special 12/4 | 1934 | CH |
| B | 211 | Maserati | Tipo 26 | 1931 | CH |
| B | 212 | Aston Martin | Le Mans | 1933 | CH |
| B | 213 | Aston Martin | MK II SWB | 1934 | NL |
| B | 214 | Riley | TT Racing Special | 1931 | CH |
| B | 215 | Aston Martin | Le Mans | 1933 | UK |
| B | 216 | Aston Martin | Le Mans | 1933 | B |
| B | 217 | Riley | Blackcock Special | 1933 | CH |
| B | 218 | MG | PA/R | 1934 | CH |
| B | 220 | Riley | Sprite | 1936 | CH |
| B | 221 | Riley | TT Sprite | 1937 | CH |
| B | 222 | Riley | CC 12/4 Sport Special | 1937 | CH |
| B | 223 | HRG | 1500 | 1939 | CH |
| B | 224 | Riley | 41612 | 1932 | D |
| B | 225 | Salmson | Rally Grand Prix | 1933 | CH |
| B | 226 | BMW | 315/1 | 1934 | D |
| B | 227 | MG | TA Special | 1936 | CH |
| B | 228 | Maserati | 4 CLT San Remo | 1948 | CH |
| B | 229 | Wolseley | Hornet Special | 1933 | D |
| B | 230 | Riley | Racing Six Special | 1935 | CH |
| B | 231 | Riley | TT Sprite | 1935 | CH |
| B | 232 | Riley | 2 Seater Sport Racing | 1935 | CH |
| B | 233 | Riley | 2 Seater Sport | 1934 | CH |
| B | 234 | Alfa Romeo | 6C 1750 Grand Sport | 1931 | B |
| B | 235 | Riley | Speed Adelphi | 1936 | CH |
| B | 236 | Alvis | 12/70 Special | 1939 | CH |
| B | 237 | Marendaz | Special Sports 13/70 | 1932 | CH |
| B | 238 | Alvis | 12/70 Special | 1938 | CH |
| B | 239 | German Bonnet | DB2 | 1938 | CH |
| B | 240 | MG | PB Compressor | 1936 | CH |
| B | 241 | BMW | Torpedo Cabriolet 328 | 1939 | CH |
| B | 242 | Lagonda | 16/80 | 1932 | CH |
| B | 243 | Marendaz | Special 1933 | 1936 | CH |
| B | 244 | BMW | 328 Roadster | 1938 | D |
| B | 245 | Bugatti | Type 51C | 1936 | UK |
| B | 246 | Bugatti | Type 35B | 1931 | CH |
| B | 247 | Alfa Romeo | 2300 Pescara Sport Spider | 1935 | CH |
| B | 248 | Riley | Kestrel Sports Big 4 | 1938 | CH |
| B | 249 | Alvis | 12/70 Speed 20 | 1938 | D |
| B | 250 | Alfa Romeo | Super Sport Corsa Spider | 1939 | D |
| B | 251 | Riley | Monza | 1945 | CH |
| B | 252 | Atalanta | Sport Tourer | 1938 | CH |
| B | 253 | Alfa Romeo | 6C 2500 SS Corsa | 1939 | CH |
| B | 254 | Alfa Romeo | Monza | 1932 | CH |
| B | 255 | S.S. | 90 | 1935 | CH |
| B | 256 | Jaguar | SS Tourer | 1936 | CH |
| B | 257 | Jaguar | SS 100 | 1937 | CH |
| B | 258 | Jaguar | SS 100 | 1938 | CH |
| B | 259 | Jaguar | SS 100 | 1938 | CH |
| B | 260 | Jaguar | SS 90 | 1935 | CH |
| B | 261 | Alvis | Special | 1935 | CH |
| B | 262 | Alvis | Speed 20 Special | 1934 | D |
| B | 263 | Alvis | Speed 20 SC | 1935 | CH |
| B | 264 | Alvis | Silver Crest Speed | 1937 | CH |
| B | 265 | Alvis | Silver Crest | 1937 | D |
| B | 266 | Talbot | AV 105 Super Speed | 1934 | D |
| B | 267 | Maserati | 8 CM | 1933 | CH |
| B | 268 | Ford | A Speedster | 1931 | CH |
| B | 269 | Jaguar-Alta | MPB 77 | 1948 | D |
| B | 270 | Jaguar | SS 100 | 1936 | D |
| B | 271 | SS Cars Ltd | SS 100 Jaguar | 1937 | CH |
| B | 272 | Jaguar | 2 Seater Sports | 1938 | CH |
| B | 273 | Jaguar | SS Sports Special | 1938 | CH |
| B | 274 | Jaguar | SS 100 Vintage | 1938 | CZ |
| B | 275 | Riley Alvis | Sport Special | 1936 | CH |
| B | 276 | Alvis | Speed 25 | 1937 | D |
| B | 277 | Alvis | Speed 25 Open Tourer | 1938 | D |
| B | 278 | Graham Paige | B Over 3000 | 1941 | CH |
| B | 279 | Ford | Sprintcar | 1935 | CH |
| B | 280 | Bentley | Derby Special Sports | 1935 | CH |
| B | 281 | Alvis | Firefly Special | 1933 | CH |
| B | 282 | Alvis | Special 4.3 Sport | 1937 | CH |
| B | 283 | Alvis | Speed 25 | 1936 | CH |
| B | 284 | Alvis | Firefly Special | 1934 | CH |
| B | 285 | Alvis-Riley | 4.3 Special | 1936 | CH |
| B | 286 | Lagonda | M45R Le Mans | 1935 | CH |
| B | 287 | Lagonda | LG 45 | 1936 | B |
| B | 288 | Lagonda | LG 45 Le Mans | 1937 | CH |
| B | 289 | Invicta | 4.5 S Low Chassis | 1931 | D |
| B | 290 | Invicta | S-Type Low Chassis | 1932 | D |
| B | 291 | Lagonda | Vintage T2 | 1932 | CZ |
| B | 292 | Lagonda | LG 45 | 1936 | CH |
| B | 293 | Bugatti | Type 59/50B | 1936 | CH |
| B | 294 | Lagonda | LG 45 | 1937 | UK |
| B | 295 | Graham & Lucenti | Indianapolis | 1932 | CH |
| B | 296 | Buick | Schafer 8 | 1932 | CH |
| B | 297 | Mercedes Benz | SSK 720 | 1931 | D |
| B | 65 | Mercedes Benz | W25 | 1934 | D |
| B | 61 | Morgan | Three Wheeler | 1934 | CH |
| B | 62 | Morgan | Three Wheeler Super Sport | 1933 | CH |
| B | 63 | Morgan | Three Wheeler Type F | 1934 | CH |
| B | 64 | Morgan | Three Wheeler | 1933 | CH |
| A | 101 | Austin | Ulster Sports | 1930 | UK |
| A | 102 | Riley | Nine Brooklands Speed | 1928 | F |
| A | 103 | Riley | Brooklands-Speed | 1930 | UK |
| A | 104 | Bugatti | Type 37A | 1926 | CH |
| A | 105 | Lea Francis | Sport Hyper | 1930 | I |
| A | 106 | Brno-Beranek | Sport Car | 1929 | CZ |
| A | 107 | Bugatti | Type 35T | 1926 | CH |
| A | 108 | Alfa Romeo | 1750 SS Zagato | 1929 | L |
| A | 109 | Fiat | 508C Cargem | 1937 | CH |
| A | 110 | MG | K1 Magnette | 1933 | CH |
| A | 111 | MG | L Magna Sports | 1935 | CH |
| A | 112 | Lagonda | Rapier | 1934 | CH |
| A | 113 | ERA | B-Type | 1936 | D |
| A | 114 | Riley | TT Sprite | 1936 | CH |
| A | 115 | Maserati | 6 CM | 1938 | CH |
| A | 116 | Maserati | 4 CL | 1939 | CH |
| A | 117 | Riley | Falcon 15/6 Special | 1935 | CH |
| A | 118 | Aston Martin | 2 Litre Sped "Spa Spec" | 1937 | CH |
| A | 119 | BMW | 328 | 1938 | D |
| A | 120 | BMW | 328 Roadster | 1939 | CH |
| A | 121 | Alfa Romeo | 6C 2300 | 1938 | A |
| A | 122 | Jaguar | SS 100 | 1938 | CH |
| A | 123 | Delahaye | 135 S | 1935 | CH |
| A | 124 | Talbot Lago | T 150C | 1939 | CH |
| A | 125 | Lagonda | LG 45 | 1937 | D |
| A | 126 | Talbot Lago | Décalée Monoplace | 1939 | CH |
Further information can be found on the event website.
Many reports on the various Klausenrennen events have been published on Zwischengas.
