From January 11 to 13, 2024, the Schladming - Dachstein - Gröbming region - in short, the Enns Valley - will once again belong to classic cars and their fans. At the 27th edition of the legendary winter rally, the classic car scene will be sending out a strong signal of life in difficult times: Participants from six nations spread across 18 car brands bring a colorful starting field to the Dachstein.
Colorful starting field
First of all, let's be clear: Starting number 1 at the Planai-Classic has long belonged to Sir Johann Kofler and his Gabi, who will once again bring his battle-tested Healey Silverstone to Ennstal in 2024, and with good reason. However, the British car built in 1950 will not be the oldest vehicle in the field this year.
Jonas and Gunter Lach will be wearing the number zero on an Austin Seven Ulster Special from 1932. Mr. "Jonny's Garage" was a guest driver on the Posche 912 from the Wittner Collection for the first time last year and will be starting on his own plate this year. Whether he will also be traveling from Hanover in the middle of winter with the 23 hp pre-war car remains questionable. But - who knows?
The youngest vehicles in the starting field are known to date from 1972, which is where the line has been drawn for years. The Saab 96 driven by Alexander Dachauer and Leo Birke dates from 1970. Speaking of exotics: We can also look forward to the team of Elisabeth and Leopold Heninger, who are bringing a historic Trabant 601 from 1969 to the wintry Enns Valley. Flesh and blood classics in the starting field: Hans-Joachim Stuck, Fritz Müller, Michael Stoschek, Hans Peter Spak and Sigi Wolf.
Snow expected
It is difficult to predict what the weather will be like in the Enns Valley in mid-January. Experience from the last few years predicts: wonderful snow on the Dachstein and on the Planai, whether there will also be post-Christmas snow flurries on the connecting stages, the local starts in Gröbming or Schladming, in short: on 300 kilometers of route through the most beautiful nature, remains to be seen.
Program with exciting innovations
The mid-January date has proven its worth: in addition to the rally check in Gröbming and the subsequent starting grid in Schladming, the first evening traditionally takes place on the Dachstein, followed by the opening evening at the Sporthotel Royer.
The second day offers an ambitious program with exciting new features, which includes a repeat of the night stage on the Dachstein and leads via Preunegg, Rohrmoos and Pruggern/Moosheim to the Nightchallenge at the Gröbming trotting track, with a show program and entertainment.
The third day is also traditionally dedicated to the special stages at the Niederöblarn Alpine airfield, the mountain stage on the Planai and, for the first time, a special stage followed by a flower ceremony on Wetzlarer Platz in the center of Schladming, followed by an award ceremony in the Hohenhaus-Tenne.
As in the summer, the number of special stages has increased once again thanks to the new timekeeping system. A sporting challenge on old equipment in the wintry Enns Valley - what more could you want?
In any case, the anticipation is great, the event will be great!
All information about the event can be found on the event website.
