Racetrack Classics: CCs Encountered Inside And Around Salzburgring, Part 1

There’s a classic racing event I find myself returning to, not as often as I’d like but well enough to know how much I enjoy it. I’ve been there previously in 2014 and wrote here about the classics that surrounded the place (as common in such events). Again I attended the event on the 25-26 May 2019, and had a great time. I have a vast amount of photos to show you, so this post will be divided in two.

 

The series itself is an Austrian classic cars’ racing of mostly touring cars and GTs, of 1960s/1970s/1980s era. The years have seen some dwindling of racers, so the organizers added more series, such as what they call “Young-Timers” (2000s-2010s racers) and initiated a collaboration with the Suzuki Europe Cup, which took place during the same weekend I was present. It was still enjoyable, as I maintain good racing can be seen at all levels of motorsport, even low-keyed local events such as this.

I’ll start off with this triple that was parked outside my hotel:

Essentially a track-day car for the road, those KTM Crossbows were presumably used as rentals for would-be racing drivers tourists.

Moving on to the track, and some classics were seen in the parking area:

Note the proud writing on the rear window. Despite its late-1950s roots, I’d say this is a very late production car.

I do believe this might be the first time seeing a rather rare BMW 2002 Targa-Convertible, built by Baur in its day. It sports a body-kit I’d personally rather forget on a a convertible such as this, but I always welcome the opportunity to see a rare car.

And who knows what this is? No, it’s not a GT40, although made to look like one.

It is a GTM Supercar, made by Factory Five Racing. Essentially a kit car, but very fast. If it’s exclusivity you want, look no further.

A late model Guilia Nuova Super. Moving into the racetrack’s perimeter, further classics were seen at its inner parking area:

Now I was into the paddock area, where this preserved-as-original Opel Kadett C  was spotted…

… As was its racing counterpart. And this is a good time to take a look at some of the contestants at the event:

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As you’d expect, many were European (not to mention German) brands, like the Triumph Spitfire or Ford Escort above, but you can always count on American Muscle-cars to be part of such races:

This Challenger was heading back to the paddock from the pit area, so I decided to go to the pits and see what’s what. On the way I crossed paths with this:

Well I mean, could you ask for anything more? You’ve got a home built on a go-anywhere vehicle. It’s actually specious for what it is. Onward to the pits.

Behind the pit boxes was this 599 GTB Fiorano. I must say I never liked that style Ferrari evolved to, though I can’t put my finger on it. To be blunt, I think it’s just ugly.

And in one of the boxes – Ford USA. I love this photo, which could have actually been taken at any racetrack anywhere, most notably in the US. Some more pits action for your pleasure:

Here’s another example why I love this event – where nowadays, could you stand on the pit wall almost freely and take photos like this? I say “almost” because a Marshall appeared and ushered me away, but it’s still much further than on other events. Anyway, back towards the paddock.

Here’s an early Barracuda that was one of the participants – quite some Chrysler pony cars were present at the event. I can’t remember when I ever seen one of the early ones racing.

As mentioned above, the Suzuki Europe Cup (essentially Swifts) held a round on the weekend, so duly erected a guest tent plus a showing of a 2019 Swift Sport and Swift Rally.

Changing racer’s tires was also catered by this professional service outfit. And into another part of the paddock, I found three ponies I had to share with you:

First was this mean Mustang, with the deeeeeeepest radiator hot-air outlet… cave:

And this is obviously the driver’s office. Not much Mustang left under the classic body style. Next up was another Barracuda, which also looked the business:

But maybe most impressive of them all was this Challenger I saw earlier – notice the comic (?) writing on its air-filter surround below:

And of course, the driver’s cockpit which again, looks considerably different than the car it’s installed in.

That MB C126 racer is a rare thing, being conceived by AMG in the late 1980s as something clearly totally unfit for Group A touring cars’ racing, filled with small and agile BMW 3 series. Still MB persevered, with not much success. Weird to find this car here, of all places. Now moving on to the inner parking area, that was filling up with more classics:

And lest we forget, there were some actual racing going on throughout all of this – the main reason for me being there. This next photo was taken from the Pension Wonnebauer tribune seen in the photo opening this post:

Cooling-down lap for the BMW 325i Challenge race. And behind the Pension:

I decided to return inside the track and take some photos from the main tribune:

After the calamities of the Young Timer race were cleared, a rather enjoyable classic race was held – here are some examples:

This was the Classica Trophy, in which contestants essentially have to lap while keeping to average lap-times, which is more difficult than you might think. After which I started heading out of the track as the day began to close. Two more photos were taken on the way to the parking area:

A rather lovely early 911 parked near Salzburgring’s offices. And before stepping out of the track, here’s a video with some impressions of the day:

Now we come to the car park, where some more classics were seen, starting with this Yamaha XJ550, I believe from 1981:

Or maybe you’d like to be Kelly from “Beverly Hills 90210” , although I don’t think she had such a large exhaust.

This was one of my many many dream cars when growing up in the 1980s, no doubt speared-on by its group A touring car racer counterpart.

Have not seen one of these in a long while either. First ever (or maybe, only) lusted-after Corolla?

More US muscle in the form of the Nova and Camaro above, plus an E31 8-series BMW.

This has also become a very rare car – when have you last seen a Z1? This one is for sale, if you’re interested.

Upon returning to Salzburg and unpacking my photographic gear at the hotel, I went to get a coffee and unwind. On the way, I found a true CC, hogging the curve. It deserved to be part of this post.

To be continued next week, covering the second day of the visit. Here are plenty more photos from the first day.