eventshoch2 – at the 2nd International Grossglockner Grand Prix 2013

Lange Uhren GmbH, Glashütte, Germany

There it is! The Grossglockner – at 3,798 meters the highest mountain in Austria, and a popular destination for hiking fans and mountain climbers with more than 5,000 summit ascents per year. But there is another way to climb the Grossglockner than on foot. The High Alpine Road provides an alternative wonderful possibility to get to the mountain’s peak.

With its numerous narrow hairpin bends, steep rises, switchbacks close to the edge and, not least, a breath-taking view of the Alps, the High Alpine Road offers – particularly for racing fans – just the right mix of pure driving pleasure and demanding driving challenge.

It is therefore not surprising that as early as the years 1935, 1938 and 1939 it attracted numerous racing enthusiasts, to select the best driver after 92 curves and 14 bends spread out along 14 kilometers. The motor racing event, beginning at the drivers’ camp in Ferleiten at 1,150 meters up to the Fuscher Törl at 2,428 m was given the appropriate name “Great Mountain Prize” and was the measure of all things.

In 2012, people began to rediscover this historic car race and to breathe new life into it. The “International Grosslockner Grand Prix” was reborn. Classic car enthusiasts from all over the world came to the High Alpine Road, in order to experience with their cars this unique racing emotion of the mountain pass in the truest sense of the word.

Again in 2013, numerous racing enthusiasts gathered in the drivers’ camp in Ferleiten. With the most beautiful sunshine and summer temperatures, the owners of the automotive works of art talked shop and the unique vehicles could be admired until it was time for the drivers to advance to the starting line. Roaring motors, the smell of petrol in the air and thrilled spectators on the route all contributed to a great racing atmosphere at the foot of the Grossglockner.

In contrast to the historic “Great Mountain Prize”, the point of which is to reach the summit of the mountain in the fastest time, the International Grossglockner Grand Prix is however a regularity rally. There are 3 courses which have to be driven in as steady a tempo as possible each time. The driver with the least difference wins. This means that drivers with less powerful motors also have the same chance of winning.

This year, for the first time, A. Lange & Söhne was also present as one of the sponsors of this classic car event. Fifteen select guests of the luxury watch manufacturer experienced an exclusive racing weekend in wonderful Austria. These guests were cared for by our event agency eventshoch2. We looked after the physical well-being of the guests round the clock, organized shuttle vehicles and ensured that the guests were able to devote themselves entirely to the racing experience.

With a Mercedes Benz-300 SL Gullwing, even our client was personally able to take part in the race. The matt-black gullwing took the road by storm and left some burn marks on the asphalt. Expressions of joy could be seen not only on the faces of the drivers and co-drivers – it was also quite obvious that our spectators were greatly delighted by this intensive and close-up racing experience.

All the drivers then celebrated the joint finale together with our guests in the Ferry Porsche Congress Center in Zell am See with an opulent gala dinner. This was also the occasion to finally announce the winner of the Grossglockner Grand Prix 2013. A Volkswagen Beetle from the year 1966 with an amazing 24-hundredth deviation per second in 3 courses!

Next year, we will hopefully have the next opportunity to grab the title along with A. Lange und Söhne. In our opinion, the High Alpine Road can certainly tolerate a few more burnt tire tracks... we are looking forward to it!

Services provided by eventshoch2 at this event:

  • individual all-round care of the guests
  • supplier management
  • shuttle (procurement, coordination, corporate branding)
  • procurement and logistics of materials, assembly and disassembly
  • location scouting
  • photo documentation of the whole event