The second edition of the 1000 Miglia Warm Up Austria ended with great success, with 40 crews – including those of the Porsche Challenge – tackling a route of around 500 kilometres along some of the most fascinating roads in Tyrol and the Salzburg region.
John and Rutger Houtkamp took the top step of the podium, winning in a magnificent 1929 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 SS Zagato and earning their place in the 1000 Miglia 2026. Completing the podium were two Italian crews: Sebastian Busi and Fabio Bicelli, second in a 1936 Fiat 1500, followed by Massimiliano Mora and Osvaldo Bresciani in a 1952 Jaguar XK 120, already winners of the Seefeld Trophy contested on the opening day. The Porsche Challenge was won by Massimo Rocca and Simone Lo Toro, in a 2020 Porsche 911 Carrera S.
The programme was spread over three intense days.
On Thursday 11, Training Day officially opened the event with a combination of theoretical sessions on regularity techniques and practical road tests. The day ended with the first official trial: the Seefeld Trophy, which took place on alpine curves and was warmly supported by the public.
Friday 12, marked the start of the actual race, with the leg from Seefeld in Tirol to Saalfelden/Leogang. A route of about 300 km took the crews from Tyrol to the Salzburg region, through the picturesque Gerlos Pass. Highlights included the Isar Valley and the spectacular Krimml Waterfalls, the highest in Austria. In the afternoon, the crews were warmly welcomed by the communities of Neukirchen am Großvenediger and Mittersill.
On Saturday 13, after leaving Leogang, the participants crossed the German border again for a leg rich in natural beauty. The stop at Lake Königssee and the climb along the panoramic Rossfeld road were particularly exciting. Back in Austria, the route passed through Hallein before the grand finale in the heart of Salzburg, where the crews were welcomed by a warm crowd in Kajetanerplatz.
The event ended in style with the awards gala, hosted on the picturesque panoramic terrace of the M32, overlooking the Mönchsberg and the city of Salzburg.
