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Volkswagen Käfer 1302, modified by tuner Theo Decker (1972).
09/27/18
Wolfsburg
Company
Press Release

Hillclimb heaven for vintage car fans: Volkswagen Classic at the 2018 Rossfeld Race

  • Volkswagen main partner of the “Internationaler Edelweiß Bergpreis Rossfeld” again
  • Rally legend Jochi Kleint in the 1987 Golf “Pikes Peak”
  • Racing driver Benjamin Leuchter at the wheel of the Golf GTI TCR
  • Iconic event held for a good cause

Volkswagen Classic is the main partner of the “Internationaler Edelweiß Bergpreis Rossfeld” for the second time. The hill climb takes place from 28 to 30 September 2018 on the Rossfeldhöhenringstraße road in the Berchtesgaden Alps and is steeped in tradition. The 650-PS Golf Mk2 “Pikes Peak” from the Volkswagen Classic collection will take on the challenge with rally driver Jochi Kleint at the wheel. Racing driver and brand ambassador Benjamin Leuchter will drive the latest Golf GTI TCR. Other highlights include the three modified Beetles and the rare Volkswagen SP2, which was manufactured in Brazil.

The famous Rossfeld Hill Climb in the Bavarian Alps is an autumn highlight for fans of vintage automobiles. The roots of this iconic event stretch back as far as the 1920s. Since 2013, it has been held every two years. As main partner of the event, Volkswagen is sending six fascinating cars to the race.

The Golf Mk2 “Pikes Peak” is a famous predecessor of the ID. R Pikes Peak, with which Volkswagen won the legendary “Pikes Peak International Hill Climb” in Colorado (USA) in 2018. Back in 1987, Klaus-Joachim “Jochi” Kleint was at the wheel of the twin-engine, 458-kW (652-PS) Golf on Pikes Peak when the car came to a stop just short of the finish line. In 2018, visitors to Rossfeld will be able to experience the impressive hill climb car being driven by its original driver.

The latest version of the Golf GTI TCR (257 kW/350 PS) will be equally quick as it tackles the many corners on the six-kilometre Rossfeld route, which features inclines of up to 13 per cent. Developed by Volkswagen Motorsport for customer teams in TCR racing series, the Golf GTI TCR will be driven by racing driver and motorsport brand ambassador Benjamin Leuchter.

Three sporty Beetles and a rare South American will provide the classic boxer soundtrack. Among the air-cooled classics in action will be the “Mille Miglia” VW Beetle from 1956, the 1303 S “Salzburg” from 1971, a 1302 from 1972 modified by tuner Theo Decker, and the timelessly beautiful Volkswagen SP2 coupé (1974).

The origins of the Rossfeld Race date back a long way: as early as 1925 to 1928, cars and motorcycles could be found racing up a steep gravel road to Obersalzberg in the “Salzberg Race”. From 1958 the race on Rossfeldstraße near Berchtesgaden was an international competition for touring cars and grand touring cars, as well as for sports and junior Formula cars. In 1961, the race was included in the European Hill Climb Championship. Jim Clark and Niki Lauda are among the Formula 1 greats to have faced the challenge on the Obersalzberg.

The relaunched “Internationaler Edelweiß Bergpreis Rossfeld-Berchtesgaden” follows this long tradition. As this is a charity event, all the organisers and helpers offer their services voluntarily; all proceeds from the event are donated to a project for mentally disabled people in the Berchtesgaden district.

Media contact

Sascha Oliver Neumann
Sascha Oliver Neumann
Spokesperson Volkswagen Classic
Tel. +49 (0) 5361 / 9-86952
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