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This was my first time collaborating as a media consultant on this occasion. Final 12 months, my accreditation was rejected; then I obtained a ticket as a present from a good friend, however the occasion was cancelled on account of an absence of snow (world warming?). Nonetheless, I went and located some new mates whom I’ve been maintaining with ever since… Anyway, we ought to be speaking about this 12 months’s occasion, proper?
The occasion itself happened on an airfield subsequent to Zell Am See, Austria. Its roots go far again in time. It has had its ups and downs, however due to the Porsche household, it’s been revitalised. It offered a superb alternative for automotive fans across the globe to take pleasure in traditional and new automobiles competing on ice, or to observe Skijöring (snowboarding whereas being pulled by a automotive). As you’d anticipate from one thing backed by the Porsche household, you’ll be able to at all times rely on some exotics both being exhibited or ‘thrashed’ across the observe. This 12 months was no exception. Though temperatures had been excessive (in comparison with what’s wanted for snow and ice), Ferdi and the FAT staff did their greatest to maintain the snow intact and supply enjoyable for all members. They didn’t disappoint.
I arrived on day 0, stopping off to gather my media ticket on the native Skoda/VW dealership. At that second, I used to be shocked to see an actual, new 935 with particular FAT livery rising from one of many warehouses to move on to the observe (later exhibited in entrance of the Porsche corridor). This prompted me to right away head to the airfield to see what else I’d discover. It didn’t disappoint. I walked straight into an space the place Audi Custom was conducting a photograph/video session with Harald Demuth and an S1 Sport Quattro. Seeing all the things from the GT1 race automotive to a tremendous assortment of Spyder race automobiles despatched numerous shivers down my backbone.
Due to Audi Hungary, I had the pleasure of travelling in a brand new RSQ3, which was a extremely handy associate all through your entire journey. After sufficient wandering, I met a good friend in Zell who confirmed me round to {photograph} the Audi, fulfilling my a part of the cope with Audi Hungary.
The thrill from the day’s occasions made me desirous to see what the subsequent day would convey and what else I might see, {photograph}, and expertise. I set out comparatively early to seize a few of the preparations and to {photograph} with out too many individuals round. The very first thing I caught was Ken Block’s Hoonitron being examined and videoed on the observe – a spectacular view. That automotive remains to be bonkers, to not point out the legacy. Amongst the primary few automobiles on the observe, I noticed 917cfk’s staggering recreation. Though it couldn’t full many laps because of the melting snow, it offered me with just a few good frames – a road-legal 917K on spiked wheels and skis on prime? Come on!
Because the day progressed, the snow started to soften considerably, posing severe issues for the organisers. The race itself needed to be cancelled, and sadly, we couldn’t see the Skijöring both. Nonetheless, this didn’t dampen anybody’s enthusiasm or diminish the environment of the occasion. As soon as the 4WD rally automobiles and expert drivers began smashing by the slush, they managed to cheer everybody up with a spectacular present. To prime all the things off, Crimson Bull’s ‘Flying Bulls present’ carried out a formidable air show throughout the break. We had been again to watching because the drivers grew to become extra acquainted and reckless on the observe, once more offering a feast for the eyes and ears. Volkswagen shocked everybody with an unofficial public premiere, with model boss Thomas Schäfer, racing legend Hans-Joachim “Striezel” Caught, and six-time rally cross world champion Johan Kristoffersson drifting throughout the ice within the still-camouflaged next-generation Golf R.
As with these kinds of occasions, it introduced fairly a visitor checklist collectively. Whereas the Porsche household and RUF had been current, Automobili Amos showcased his newest restomod, the Delta Safarista. Competing had been Olympic and World Cup ski champion Marcel Hirscher, who evoked reminiscences of the late US drift star Ken Block within the electrically powered Audi S1 Hoonitron, former System 1 driver Mark Webber (Porsche Taycan), and present System 1 star Valtteri Bottas (Porsche 911 Dakar), who accomplished just a few laps on an unfamiliar observe. Raimund Baumschlager, Austria’s 14-time nationwide rally champion, stirred up a variety of snow within the Crimson Bull Skoda, as did DTM champion Bruno Spengler within the Dakar Rally-winning MINI.
Thanks to everybody concerned. I hope you benefit from the footage that attempt to seize what this occasion meant to me. Due to the FAT staff for sustaining the occasion.
By the best way, in case you dwell on the opposite aspect of the pond, the excellent news is {that a} comparable occasion (in all probability with extra snow and ice) is about to happen in Aspen.
To prime off my extraordinary journey, I made a decision to return residence by way of a special route. On the toll sales space, I noticed a mint-condition 959. My coronary heart skipped a beat, and by the point I realised what I had seen, it was gone. Nonetheless, this was not my final encounter with the automotive and its proprietor, however that shall be one other story for you all.
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