The Group S prototypes were lost for three decades. Now the exotic rally cars are experiencing their second spring in Saalfelden am Steinernen Meer.
When the engines roar again in and around Saalfelden am Steinernen Meer on July 8 and 9, 2016, thousands of motorsport fans will make the pilgrimage to Austria's most beautiful province to take part in the third edition of the Group B Rally Legends. Although the event has surpassed all records and expectations in recent years, the organizing team is not resting on its laurels. In 2016, in addition to the well-known "Night of Thunder" on Friday evening and the infamous "Hexenkessel" city circuit in Saalfelden, there will be three more sensational premieres.
World premiere after 30 years
Group S is one of the great mysteries of rallying. It was to be introduced in 1987 as the successor to the legendary Group B cars. However, this was not to be the case - Group A was introduced. However, several manufacturers tested prototypes for Group S. These have been preserved and lay dormant for three decades. As part of the Group B rally legends, these rare vehicles will be on display in the exclusive "autohaus" showroom at the Hotel Gut Brandlhof in Saalfelden am Steinernen Meer (A).
The gates will open on Friday, July 8 from 11 am. There has never been such a collection of prototypes to be seen anywhere in the world. Our thanks go to the manufacturers and collectors who have brought their Audi, Abarth, Opel and Toyota vehicles out of their museums and garages to exhibit them in Saalfelden am Steinernen Meer/Austria. There has never been such a presentation in this form before. The vehicles confirmed so far are: the Lancia Abarth ECV I, the Audi Sport quattro RS 002, the Opel Kadett E Rallye 4×4, the Vauxhall Astra 4S and the Toyota MR2 222D. All the Group S cars on display will be presented and explained by celebrity drivers and ambassadors at the time, so you can look forward to it...
Storming the Kaprun high mountain reservoirs
Around 80 percent of the special stages are new this year. There will be a world premiere on the private mountain road to the Kaprun/Hohe Tauern power station group. And the so-called "Limbergstrasse" has it all: the start is at 800 meters above sea level, the finish is at 2,000 meters above sea level in front of the picturesque high alpine panorama of the Kaprun power plant group.
The participants have to cross a total of five tunnels, the longest of which runs around 5 kilometers through the Hohe Tauern massif. This unique "summit assault" is made possible by the energy producer and operator of the power plant group - Verbund - to whom the entire Group B Rally Legends team would like to thank for this unique opportunity. There will be a shuttle bus from the parking lot up to the reservoirs for spectators.
Traditional airfield races
Airfield races have a long tradition in Austria. People fondly remember the "wild years" of motorsport, when bales of straw served as track boundaries and the mechanics waited for their pilots with their toolboxes. Austria's first Grand Prix was held at the Zeltweg airfield in 1963, and the races in Aspern near Vienna still enjoy legendary status today. The Group B Rally Legends will commemorate this almost romantic time with a special stage at the airfield in Zell am See. Air traffic is suspended for a day especially for this event and the runway and hangars are opened. The starting field will take on the selective test twice.
All further information can be found on the event website.
