We can see why this event has been dubbed Goodwood on ice
Revived in 2019 and set for a big return in 2022, the Zell am See ice races in Austria are a motoring spectacle like no other
Bewilderment. That’s all that hits me after first seeing skijoring in action. Before I visited the last GP Ice Race in February 2020, I was unaware that there was actually a name for the act of being pulled around by a car while wearing a set of skis. It translates as ‘ski driving’, and it’s a practice that traces its roots back to fearless horse- and dog-pulled Scandinavian farmers trying to get from A to B. Naturally, this developed into a competitive sport, at which point people swapped out the animals for cars and ’ bikes. It’s one of the unique things that have quickly put the GP Ice Race on the map as an up-and-coming winter destination.
Located on a frozen airfield in Zell am See, deep in the Austrian Alps, the GP Ice Race is a relatively fresh re-incarnation of a similar event held here during the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s. The town was home to the Porsche family, so on 10 February 1952 – a year after Ferdinand Porsche died – a special memorial race was to be held on a special circuit on the frozen Lake Zell.
Although the lake wasn’t used for the first race due to heavy snow (another area on solid ground was used), it was the beginning of a popular local tradition. The lake would be used in future years, providing a thrilling 1.8km circuit. When the ice was too thin, a more frequent occurrence as the years wore on, the race had usually been cancelled, but it was a problem that would ultimately doom the event. Sadly, in an accident in 1974 a snowplough fell through the ice, killing the driver, and ultimately spelling the end of the ice races at Zell am See for good.
That was until Ferdinand ‘Ferdi’ Porsche – grandson of the company founder – spotted his father’s Porsche 550 wearing a set of studded tyres. As he learned more about the historic races, he began to formulate a plan with friend and business partner Vinzenz Gregor to bring back racing at Zell am See. After speaking with drivers such as Hans-Joachim Stuck and Richard Lietz to get a feel for what would be needed, they approached the authorities and began making preparations. A short circuit would be carved into a snow-covered airfield, with various cars and people invited to take part, including the re-introduction of skijoring!
The first event in 2019 was relatively low-key but, with a few thousand people making the trip, it had clearly re-ignited a passion for ice racing in the area. For 2020, things scaled up. Ahead of my arrival last year, a colleague promised a sort of ‘Goodwood on ice’…
Stepping through the gates first thing, there’s certainly something very special about seeing such serious machinery surrounded by ice and snow. Some of the cars feel relatively alien, but the majority – usually wearing narrow studded tyres – seem right at home. The level of motor here varies from interesting local ice racers (highly tuned four-wheel-drive Audis and Volkswagens seem popular) to some of the most iconic legends from the history of motorsport. I can hardly believe my eyes as I spot Walter Röhrl’s original Group B Audi Sport Quattro warming up to do some laps. Then I realise who is behind the wheel… Stig Blomqvist! And what the hell is that? Oh, that’s just Hans Stuck heading out in a March 741 F1 car. On studded tyres. Yes, this is just that kind of place.
I’m quite content to wander through the paddock in the morning, and there’s no shortage of cool rally machinery. It’s mostly classic-oriented, but Skoda has brought its current WRC cars for an entertaining Ice Race of Champions, and Rallycross title-holder Tanner Foust has fun trying to get any of his VW Beetle’s 550bhp onto the ground. It’s all very accessible too, and I’m rarely constrained by ropes or the need for extra passes.
‘What the hell was that? Oh, that’s just Hans Stuck heading out in a March 741 F1 car. On studded tyres. Yes, this is just that kind of place’
Of course, securing a good spot by the side of the short track requires some planning, even with the relatively small crowds. Comparatively low speeds, low grip and high snow banks offer an almost slow-motion, up-close view of this passing extreme machinery. And it’s thrilling.
While the daylight runs are exciting enough, this small airfield comes to life after dusk. Wrap up warm, as the temperature drops well into double minus figures. The demo and qualifying laps give way to the all-out timed skijoring attempts. There’s an element of showboating for the fans, sure, but as the weekend progresses one thing is clear: the athletes involved are taking the timed runs very seriously. We speak to Aksel Lund Svindal, Norwegian former World Cup alpine ski racer, after his first run out on the ice behind the Paris-Dakar-spec Porsche 911 3.2 4x4: ‘It’s very interesting to try this, and hanging off the back the car has a very nice and unusual sound to it!’
Perhaps most exciting of all are the hilarious multi-car races. It’s incredibly close racing and, aside from the occasional scuffle with a snow bank, the drivers are well behaved. Again, the mix of cars is incredible. Naturally, the rally-bred WRC-spec Integrales, Quattros, Mitsubishi Evos and Imprezas have among the quickest (and most committed) drivers, while the older, rear-wheel-drive cars put on the best show. The Porsche contingent is particularly strong, yet, despite the Porsche family connection, the big, modern corporate company keeps a respectful distance. It has brought some great cars and drivers to the show, but it never feels over-done.
It’s probably worth mentioning that this area of Austria is particularly beautiful, especially at this time of year. If you’re planning a skiing trip, there are some interesting slopes in close proximity, and we’d thoroughly recommend the excellent mountain-top restaurant Hendl Fischerei, although there’s no shortage of highquality cafés and bars a little closer.
LITTLE DID WE KNOW in February 2020 quite how hard the coronavirus pandemic was going to bite. Some 12 months later Europe is still battling it, which has put most plans for any 2021 event, erm, on ice. Although the public were not able to attend, a smaller virtual event – called Cold Start by GP – helped to keep fans enthused. Ferdi Porsche is planning a big return in 2022, and we can’t wait to see how this intimate and highly authentic spectacle evolves in the future.
‘Most exciting of all are the hilarious multicar races… but aside from the occasional scuffle with a snow bank, the drivers are well behaved’