On August 6, 2022, an impressive live show of mobility will take place between Urnerboden and the Klausen Pass to mark the 100th anniversary of the international Klausen races. The vintage car show rides up the pass are sold out. However, it is still possible to secure one of the coveted classic car exhibitor spaces or visitor parking spaces on the Urnerboden or on the Klausen Pass online.
The Klausen races 1922-1934
Between 1922 and 1934, the Klausen Pass hosted by far the most famous and most difficult mountain race in Europe at the time. Rudolf Caracciola, Hans Stuck, Tazio Nuvolari, Achille Varzi, Whitney Straight, Louis Chiron and co. were the absolute best racing drivers of the time to take on the great sporting challenge of the 21.5-kilometre course.
With superchargers roaring, the drivers threw their fire-breathing cars into the more than 130 bends on the gravel road from Linthal GL to the finish line 1273 meters above sea level below the Klausen Pass. They thundered over the Urnerboden at speeds of up to 200 km/h in the fastest Grand Prix cars of the era - from Mercedes Benz, Bugatti and Auto Union to Alfa Romeo, Sunbeam and Delage. The German Rudolf Caracciola set an almost unbelievable track record of 15.22.2 minutes in his Mercedes W25 ("Silver Arrow") at the last event in 1934.
The Klausen races were also an important economic and tourist attraction for Uri and Glarus at the time. As an example, the 1932 race was "remembered by thousands of spectators as a record-breaking race". Around 60,000 spectators, 13,000 vehicles and new records all along the line were set. It was the most beautiful summer weather. The number of spectators almost doubled the previous record and the number of entries was also a record. Not only did the organizers run out of spectator tax cards and parking tickets, but there was also a shortage of parking spaces along the race route. The organizers were not even remotely prepared for such a huge turnout.
400 vintage cars and motorcycles drive to Klausen
To mark the 100th anniversary, the Diavolo Motor Classic association from Uri, supported by numerous helpers from Uri and Glarus, is organizing an anniversary memorial on Saturday, 6 August 2022, to commemorate the first edition of the legendary mountain race on the Klausen Pass on 27 August 1922 (see www.diavolomotorclassic.ch). The core of the event is an exhibition on the Urnerboden, limited to a maximum of 600 vehicles.
Vintage cars and motorcycles from 1910 to 1979 will be on display. Around 400 of these vehicles can take part in show drives by age category from Urnerboden up to the finish house below the Klausen Pass, around 13 kilometers away. The road between Urnerboden and the Klausen Pass will therefore be closed to private traffic from 9 am to 6 pm. The future of mobility will also be on show with electric or hybrid pace cars in front of each category and in exhibitions.
Formula 1 cars to marvel at too
On August 6, the public will be offered an attractive journey through automobile and motorcycle history. For a few hours, the route between Urnerboden and the Klausen Pass will be transformed into a moving museum, so to speak.
In addition to some of the winning cars from the Klausen races of the 1920s and 1930s and other prestigious classic cars, there will be a special exhibition of Grand Prix racing cars and motorcycles as well as Formula racing cars, including Michael Schumacher's Formula 1 Ferrari (1999) and Ayrton Senna's F1 Lotus John Player Special (1987). Food and drink will be provided not only in the restaurants, but also in the various Alpine inns and food stands along the pass road as well as in the three marquees on the Urnerboden and those on the Klausen Pass and in Linthal.
Arrive early despite parking ticket
Spectator parking spaces for cars and motorcycles on the Urnerboden and on the Klausen Pass are limited. The OC therefore advises you to purchase a ticket online in advance as soon as possible to be sure of a parking space. The parking ticket for motorcycles costs CHF 10, and CHF 30 for cars/motorhomes.
Entry to the event is free of charge. It is therefore worth filling your car to the last seat if possible.
How to get there
Tickets for car and motorcycle parking spaces can be purchased immediately at www.diavolomotorclassic.ch. If you have a parking ticket and are traveling from Altdorf, you must be at Urnerboden or the Klausen Pass by 9 a.m. at the latest. From Linthal, you can drive up to Urnerboden all day long with your parking ticket. Despite the parking ticket, it is worth arriving early.
You can reach the pass on foot or by bike at any time, but the closing times also apply to bicycles. A bicycle parking area is signposted on the pass. The event is free of charge for cyclists and hikers.
Day trip with vintage post buses
Various owners of vintage Postbuses will be offering day trips to the event from different parts of Switzerland. The fares, boarding points and departure times for this attractive travel option with the nostalgic vintage Postbuses are determined by the providers themselves, as the distances vary. More detailed information on booking can be found on the event website.
Travel by public transport is according to the SBB and PostBus timetables. PostBus Switzerland aims to expand capacity as far as possible. There are sufficient parking spaces available in Linthal. If you park there or travel there by train, you can take one of the all-day shuttle buses to Urnerboden. The corresponding tickets can be purchased on site and a free shuttle service is offered on the Urnerboden.
Further information can be found on the event website.
