The Gröbming harness racing track, the Niederöblarn airfield, the Dachstein road and, for the first time in winter, the Stoderzinken, plus the finale on Sunday, January 4 on the Planai - these are the highlights of the Planai Classic 2015, not to mention the 35 special stages. The entry form for registration is now online, the entry deadline is November 15, 2014.
Start at Pichlarn Castle
Check in is on Friday, January 2, from 12:00 noon in Gröbming, hopefully recovered from New Year's Eve and ready for snow, ice, cold, wintry exertions and lots of riding fun.In the evening, the Planai-Classic will open for the first time with a 650-metre special stage at Schloss Pichlarn, followed by a cozy welcome evening in the hotel's ballroom, where everyone can get to know each other and prepare for the weekend.
Special test after special test
On Saturday morning, January 3rd, the participants ready to start will receive their transponders and GPS on-board units mounted on their classic cars at the Gröbming trotting track. The free practice starts at 10:00 a.m. and the first four special stages begin at 12:00 noon. For the first time, the trotting course will be driven in a clockwise direction, i.e. clockwise.
In the afternoon, the Schladming-Dachstein Prologue starts in Gröbming. A total of four light barriers define the special stages 6 to 9, the fourth light barrier is also the finish in Moosheim. After around 20 km, the participants reach the time control at Niederöblarn airfield, where the next special stage is already waiting for them. Further special stages await the teams in Aich, on the Gössenberg and in Dachstein Tal.
Annual uncertainty on the Dachstein
The 5.2 km long Dachstein toll road that follows is notorious for being dependent on the weather. Whether rain, black ice or snowstorms - it will be driven on anyway, because that's part of a winter rally! After this section, there is another special stage downhill, followed by three more special stages towards the Preunegg valley before the field arrives at the main square in Schladming.The 6th stage leads from Schladming to Gröbming with another six special stages and for the first time the Stoderzinken will be driven in winter, which was previously only part of the Ennstal-Classic.
After around 180 kilometers and 25 special stages, some tougher, some easier, the first day of driving comes to an end in Gröbming, after which a well-deserved dinner awaits the participants at the new Hotel Restaurant Loy in Gröbming.
New energy at the start in Niederöblarn
On Sunday, the next three special stages will take place at the Niederöblarn airfield and the 44 km stage to the Planai middle station with three more special stages will start at midday, where it will be decided who will win the race. There was also a spell of heavy snowfall on the Planai, which was exactly what Rauno Aaltonen in the Mini-Cooper had used to set his course for overall victory.
Special features on the Planai 2015
This is also only available at the Planai Classic: the car legends that line up in the Schladming arena are assigned ski legends. And then the night giant slalom takes place on the famous Planai finish slope: two runs are held, with the time of the first run having to be repeated as exactly as possible in the second. A combined car and skier ranking is created from this.
As drivers of pre-war cars have it a little harder and are therefore the real heroes of the Planai Classic, they are rewarded; every participating pre-war car is guaranteed a starting place at the Ennstal Classic 2015, which always takes place at the beginning of July.
Register now
The registration deadline for the Planai Classic 2015is November 15, 2014.
Further information on the Planai Classic 2015 and the entry form for registration can be found on the event website.
