Grossglockner Trophy in Memoriam Helmut Krackowizer

       More than 100 racing motorcycles from the years 1929 to 1961, including eleven sidecars, gathered on the weekend of 13–15 September 2002 in Ferleiten at the foot of the Großglockner in the Province of Salzburg. Thomas Fritsch had invited riders to take part in a regularity competition held in memory of my father, who had passed away in October 2001. Many friends and acquaintances of my father followed this invitation.

   On Friday the participants arrived, and both the technical inspection and the obligatory course inspection took place. The weather showed the splendid colours of the approaching autumn. The first heat started early on Saturday morning, before the “tourist attack” began on the alpine panoramic road. It was cold, and the riders could already feel the autumn air — and the start was at an altitude of about 1,100 metres above sea level!

   For the approximately 12.5 km distance, Sebastian Gutsch on a BMW R5 SS (498 cm³, built in 1936) needed only 9:42.34 minutes — corresponding to an average speed of 79.7 km/h (49.5 mph). It was the fastest time of the first heat (though not the most regular one). The sidecar team Bill and Maggie Tuer, on a 1,150 cm³ Morgan from 1932, also mastered the distance in under ten minutes, with a time of 9:43.50 (79.6 km/h, 49.5 mph). Altogether, five riders remained under the ten‑minute mark. Harry Long on a 1938 Rudge Rapid (250 cm³), however, took more time in order to enjoy the magnificent high‑alpine road. He reached the “Fuscher Törl” at about 2,400 metres above sea level after 28:40 minutes.

   Later, under a radiant blue sky and somewhat milder temperatures, the procession returned together from the Fuscher Törl to the start. It was an impressive sight as the motorcycles, engines roaring, rolled back into the paddock. Some repaired, others adjusted or tested their machines, and many simply chatted. By early afternoon the temperature had become almost summery again, and numerous visitors admired the beautiful motorcycles. For me it was the perfect moment to speak with some of the participants, especially those from England — friends of my father. They shared anecdotes and memories, and I felt the deep affection my father had enjoyed in England.

   The second heat was scheduled to start at 17:30. But because visitors were still on the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, the field had to wait for more than an hour. By then the cool evening temperatures had returned — not unusual at this time of year in such alpine regions. For the future we hope for better starting times, which are determined by the Grossglockner Hochalpenstraße AG.

   The fastest team in the second heat was again Bill and Maggie Tuer with their sidecar, achieving a time of 9:19.56 minutes (83 km/h, 51.6 mph), which was also the fastest heat of the entire day. The fastest solo motorcycle rider was Andrew Bennett on a Norton Manx Special (1958, 1,098 cm³) with a time of 9:33.39 minutes (81 km/h, 50.3 mph).

   However, as this was a regularity competition — both heats should ideally be ridden in the same time — the official results looked quite different. The smallest time difference was achieved by Geoff Sawyer on a Jabs (1950, 490 cm³), with only 0.03 seconds!

   Thomas Fritsch, the organizer of the meeting, ran out of petrol during the second heat — he had been so absorbed in the organizational tasks that he completely forgot to refuel. And there is another touching story I want to record here: Thomas had great difficulty finding sponsors for the event. Only a few believed in the success of his efforts, and he had to manage everything on a very tight budget. Everything seemed secured when, just a few days before the meeting, bad news arrived from the insurance company: the premium for the mandatory liability insurance had been increased by 30 percent — “you’ve got no option,” was the message. But where should the money come from, if it had not been budgeted?

   Thomas mentioned this situation casually during the riders’ meeting. He was deeply moved when, at the awards ceremony, an English participant presented him — on behalf of all riders — with the proceeds of a collection held in the paddock. The English participants had organized this collection, but only on the condition that they would all meet again at the Grossglockner for the “2nd Grossglockner Trophy Dr. Krackowizer Memorial”!

   Once again, heartfelt thanks in Thomas’s name to everyone! Thanks to this generous gesture from friends of vintage motorcycling, the event’s finances balanced out to roughly zero — as far as I have heard.

   Thus, it was a true enthusiasts’ meeting, without any intention of profit. This gathering of motorcycle lovers on one of the most beautiful alpine roads in the world was a great success and a joy for all. Even Austrian television broadcast a feature about the “1st Grossglockner Trophy”. And all signs indicate that this meeting will be revived again in two years.