Bichlbach-Berwang hill climb in Austria

Next to covering motor racing, I am also one of two Dutch journalists who report regularly about alpine skiing. While in Austria for the Hahnenkamm downhill in Kitzbühel last week, I also visited some friends in another area of the Tyrol, the Zugspitzgebiet, aka Ausserfern (because it is "behind" the Fernpass). Anyway, in a tiny village called Bichlbach, I came to speak to some elder people who said that there had been a hill climb for motorcycles and cars from Bichlbach up the mountain to Berwang (approx. 3 km), both before and after WW II.

I had heard about that before, but so far failed to find any information about this event. Was it purely Austrian or even just Tyrolean, when did it take place exactly and were there some drivers taking part that one might have heard of? If information can be found anywhere, I am sure it is here! Thanks in advance!

I have no mention of this event in my Mountain Excel-files (before WW2). Hans must certainly have it...

Sorry, it's not on my list. Although I started collecting mountain climb information for motorcycles about two years ago, I have not heard of this one.

This week, I spent another few days in the bright sunshine and the beautiful snow in Austria, and I also had time to do some motorsport research about this Bichlbach-Berwang hill climb, which turned out to have taken place twice, in 1967 and 1968. I had a look at the newspapers reporting the events at the editorial office of the “Ausserferner Nachrichten” in Reutte. I found the following, just for the record, in case anyone is interested:

The first edition was held on Sunday, June 11, 1967, with rain at the start and even snow at the finish.

Results:

Motorcycles

50 cc: 1. Helmut Gleis, A, Pesch GZ 49, 4.38,81
125 cc: 1. H. Brandstatter, A, Tiltaco 125, 3.36,28
250 cc: 1. Charly Baier, D, Honda 250, 3.30,47
500 cc: 1. Ferdinand Kracor, D, BMW 500, 3.23,07
+ 500 cc: 1. Walter Warthbichler, A, Triumph 650, 3.18,55
Side cars: 1. Morawetz-Kolb, A, priv., 4.02,49
Best time of day: W. Warthbichler, A, Triumph 650, 1.38,38

Cars:

Touring cars - 700 cc: 1. Hans Fink, A, Steyr Puch, 3.36,72
Touring cars -1000 cc: 1. Johann Abt, D, Abarth 1000, 3.27,93
Touring cars - 1300 cc: 1. Lambert Hofer, A, Austin Cooper, 3.22,25
Touring cars -/+ 2000 cc: 1. Richard Gerin, A, Porsche 911, 3.02,17
GT - 2000 cc: 1. ing. Zumtobel, A, Porsche 911 S, 3.18,17
GT + 2000 cc: 1. K. Sterzinger, A, Jaguar E-Type, 3.06,32
Special touring cars -/+ 1300 cc: 1. M. Ellensohn, A, NSU, 3.23,68
Prototypes - 1300 cc : 1. G. Bredow, D, Abarth 1300 OT, 3.27,34
Prototypes + 1600 cc: 1. Franz Albert, A, Albert RS 1600, 3.14,27
Single seaters - 1300 cc: 1. Horst Miedaner, A, Formula Vee, 3.35,22
Single seaters - 1600 cc: 1. Hermann Bischof, A, Lotus Albert 1600, 3.33,04
Best time of day: Richard Gerin, A, Porsche 911, 1.30,47

The second edition, on Sunday, July 7, 1968, was held in nice conditions.

Results:

Motorcycles

50 cc: 1. Helmut Gleis, A, Kreidler, 3.55,20
125 cc: 1. Manfred Magnus, A, Puch, 3.12,89
250 cc: 1. Siegfried Schmidt, A, Bultaco, 3.16,08
350 cc: 1. Michl Abenthung, A, Maico, 3.02,36
500 cc: 1. Wolfgang Strobek, A, Norton, 2.54,93
+ 500 cc: 1. Helmuth Kapser, A, Norton, 2.54,34
Side cars: 1. Winfried Rauch, A, NSU, 3.24,79

Cars:

Touring cars - 850 cc: 1. Otto Gmeiner, D, Puch, 3.25,82
Touring cars -1150 cc: 1. Johann Abt, D, Abarth 1000, 3.07,15
Touring cars - 1300 cc: 1. Carlo Dubach, CH, Austin Cooper, 3.17,14
Touring cars - 1600 cc: 1. Arthur Blank, CH, Porsche 911 T, 2.47,99
GT - 1600 cc: 1. Sepp Greger, D, Porsche 911, 2.44,74
Sports cars - 1300 cc : 1. Karl Federhofer, D, Abarth, 2.54,47
Sports cars - 1600 cc: 1. Dieter Schmidt. D, Lotus 23, 2.48,77
Sports cars - 2000 cc: 1. Richard Gerin, A, Porsche, 2.28,95
Sports cars + 2000 cc: 1. Franz Albert, A, CT 40, 2.34,47
Single seaters - 1600 cc: 1. H. Obrist, CH, Brabham F2, 2.50,48
Single seaters + 1600 cc: 1. Walter Habegger, CH, Brabham F2, 2.27,16

Probably, it was just a club event, but at least with some quite well-known competitors (Abt, Greger, Obrist) taking part. Next time I meet Johann Abt, I will ask him some more details.

René, if you will meet J. Abt, don't forget to ask him about Audi Motorsport-engagement (by Abt with the Audi 100) in the 70s.

And in your interest, how was Abt involved in the quattro development befor 1980.

Originally posted by Holger Merten
René, if you will meet J. Abt, don't forget to ask him about Audi Motorsport-engagement (by Abt with the Audi 100) in the 70s.

Holger, there is some information and pictures in the recently published company history book "Der Abt. Das Buch." and also in the book that was published commemorating Abt's 100th anniversary in 1996. If there is something in specific you want to know, please tell.

Thanks Rene for the valuable information!

For 1968 you list Franz Albert in a "CT 40". Anybody who knows more on this car? (Can't be a GT40 maybe?).

As far as Johann Abt is concerned: Rene, may I send you a message as I would be interested to get in touch with Abt concerning a different project?

Thanks a lot

Udo

Originally posted by René de Boer


Holger, there is some information and pictures in the recently published company history book "Der Abt. Das Buch." and also in the book that was published commemorating Abt's 100th anniversary in 1996. If there is something in specific you want to know, please tell.

Yes I got this book from Johann Abt, but there is nothing about the motorsport engagement from the early 70s. Did they develop the Audi 100 Tourenwagen Coupé? look in this thread..

And the other thing of interest is: how was Abt involved in the development of the Ur-quattro. Johann Abt mentioned, that he was very much involved in the early days (late 70s). May you find out some more information, than you can find in the Abt book.

BTW. Did you receive my mail?

Originally posted by Holger Merten


Yes I got this book from Johann Abt, but there is nothing about the motorsport engagement from the early 70s. Did they develop the Audi 100 Tourenwagen Coupé? look in this thread..

And the other thing of interest is: how was Abt involved in the development of the Ur-quattro. Johann Abt mentioned, that he was very much involved in the early days (late 70s). May you find out some more information, than you can find in the Abt book.

BTW. Did you receive my mail?

Holger, I know about your 100 Coupé investigation. In fact, your request to Abt's press department was forwarded to me at the time, the press lady there asked if I had some more information, but I didn't. I will ask Johann Abt about their quattro-involvement next time I see him - he is the technical scrutineer of the ADAC VW Lupo Cup.

And yes, I received your mail, but just came back from Austria, so had no time yet to reply. Will do so today.

@ Udo: Feel free to send a message, I will be glad to help, and I am sure so will be Johann Abt. The Abts are quite pleasant people to work with.

Originally posted by René de Boer


Holger, I know about your 100 Coupé investigation. In fact, your request to Abt's press department was forwarded to me at the time, the press lady there asked if I had some more information, but I didn't.

"What we know is SO much smaller.... than what we don't know."

I didn't know that you have been informed about that. Okay?

BTW: I will not answer your mail in the next week, I'll enjoy a week on ski at the Jungfraujoch.