Porsche 2014 Annual Report Download - page 55

106 107 Annual Report Porsche AG 2014
Walter Röhrl (68) has been a fan of the
Ennstal-Classic from the start. He was on
hand at the inaugural running in 1993.
“ The 718 drives simply wonderfully.
You’d never believe that you’re in a
car that’s more than 50 years old.”
WALTER RÖHRL
Straightaways, curves and switchbacks: the Ennstal-
Classic is a delight for drivers and vehicles alike.
Tradition
and Emotion
conducted parallel to the Ennstal-Classic.
“The 718 is driving simply wonderfully,”
he gushes. “The steering, the ve-speed
transmission, the motor – everything is
working with unbeatable precision. You’d
never think that you’re sitting in a car
that’s more than 50 years old.” Spurred
by this experience, he took the tight
curves along the closed-o mountain
roads, including up to the Tauplitzalm,
and then for a lap on the Red Bull Ring.
“What a true pleasure. Tremendous roads
and tremendous old cars – the organisers
have really done an ideal job of combining
both ingredients.”
While the Ennstal-Classic, which Porsche
sponsors, involves normal street-legal
classic cars driving at moderate speeds
on public roads, the Chopard Racecar
Trophy (inaugural running: 2013) has
been bringing together racing vehicles
from 1983 and earlier. They drive on
faster tires – but also solely on closed-o
roads.
DEMANDING TASKS FOR ON THE GO
The two events share a competitive
nature: speed and skill are decisive for
victory. To be fair, the Ennstal-Classic
isn’t aiming for maximum speeds, but
rather precision adherence to specic
time requirements for each section of the
course. And only mechanical stopwatches
are allowed – all electronic aids are
banned. “The level of qualication for
the participants is immensely high,” says
Michael Glöckner. “Hundredths of a
second make the dierence between
victory and defeat. It’s a real battle.” For
this reason the winner’s cup from the
Ennstal-Classic carries a healthy dose
of prestige on the international classic
car scene. As Glöckner expresses it:
“Competitive auto driving is at the heart
of our event. The beautiful landscape and
the atmosphere all around are magnicent
side benets.” The elds will cover more
than 800kilometres within four days –
a demanding task for both man and
machine. The weather also has its own
ideas at times – drivers in some of the
open-top classic cars will likely have to
live with rain in their faces. And yet oddly
enough, those are often the days where
the smiles are the widest.
EXQUISITE VEHICLES FROM THE
PORSCHE MUSEUM
The participants are all enthusiastic about
Porsche’s commitment to the event. “It
ts so perfectly because the brand has its
origins in Austria,” Andreas Kainer says.
Company founder Ferdinand Porsche was
born in Austria-Hungary, built the rst 356
in the early days after World War II and,
even today, many of the family’s members
actually live in this alpine country.
Dr. Wolfgang Porsche himself has driven
in the Ennstal-Classic several times.
The real treat is the vehicles brought
down from the company’s museum.
“Super being able to experience these
cars here,” Kainer says. And naturally
the celebrity drivers as well. “By bringing
them along, Porsche is really giving a gift
to all participants and spectators. The
rally and race car drivers were the idols of
my youth. Now we’re driving in the same
event – really a dream come true for me.”
That said, it’s not just about the presence
of the illustrious guests, but rather the
accessibility. “There’s a very familiar
atmosphere at the Ennstal-Classic. Every-
body talks with everyone, and stands
on equal footing as they talk about their
experiences on the road.” Yet it’s the cars
that are the real VIPs.
At lunchtime, Kainer checks the oil level
on his 356 – the amber-coloured liquid is
within the markings on the dipstick. It’s
not his only classic Porsche model.
“I drive often with my antique sports cars,
every day in summer, and I’ve never
broken down yet,” he explains. “Despite
their age, the cars are really unstoppable.
Sure, you can’t demand too much of
them and they need to be maintained
professionally. But in exchange they still
provide a tremendously fun ride.”
He and his passenger are making prepa-
rations to head o on the next segment
of the course. Using both force and a ne
touch, Kainer pushes the hood into its
latch. His hands feel the residual warmth
in the metal, which will soon be heating
back up once the motor is running hard.
He’ll turn the ignition key, listen to the
Boxer engine purr, wait for the start
signal and head out onto the course with
his sports car. The impressive environ-
ment, the sound of rolling tires and wind,
the connection between the driver, seat
and chassis and the pavement, his foot
feeding or starving the motor of gas, the
joyous noise – in other words, the entire
magic ambiance of this Ennstal-Classic:
and then he’s o, a hunter of special
moments.
JULY 15 – 18, 2015
This year’s Ennstal-Classic and
Chopard Racecar Trophy will be
held from July 15 – 18, 2015. The
start field has already been set –
and the rolling museum is ready to
head to the starting line. Porsche
will once again be contributing
special vehicles for the collection,
piloted by notable race and rally
drivers.