A new winning team joins the list of champions
The Planai-Classic 2025 concluded with a dramatic overall victory for Fritz Jirowsky and Gerhard Soukal in their 1972 VW 1303 S, despite clutch issues on the final ascent of the Planai. They narrowly defeated Georg Geyer and Jan Soucek in a 1960 VW Beetle Type 11, with previous champions Hansi Mlcoch and Martin Laaha taking third in a 1970 Volvo 121 Amazon.
The VW Beetle, a rear-engined icon with a strong history in endurance events thanks to its simplicity and durability, performed exceptionally across all three days of the rally. Jirowsky and Soukal claimed the lead only on the final day with consistent performance, despite no stage wins—though they sensationally scored just 9 penalty points in the first heat at Niederöblarn.
Shifting Day Leaders
Defending champions Mlcoch and Laaha secured a podium finish with their Amazon, emphasizing the car's continued rally prowess. Their Volvo 121 Amazon, known for its robust B18 engine and success in Scandinavian rallies during the 1960s, once again delivered a solid performance.
Leading after day 1: Wolfgang Gersin and Thomas Voglar (Ford Cortina 1969)
The rally saw changing leaders across all three days, highlighting the event's competitive nature. Wolfgang Gersin and Thomas Voglar (Ford Cortina 1969) led after day one, while Claude and Andrea Schwegler (Volvo 123 GT 1968) dominated day two. However, neither team could maintain their top positions, finishing 21st and 6th overall, respectively.
Racing Legend Hans-Joachim Stuck Masters the Snow in a Porsche 912
A standout moment came from motorsport legend Hans-Joachim Stuck, piloting a 1968 Porsche 912. This classic sports car, powered by a 1.6-liter flat-four engine, shares its lightweight handling characteristics with the early 911, making it ideal for precision driving on snow. Stuck impressed with an extraordinary performance at the Niederöblarn airfield stage, showcasing his racing expertise with minimal timing deviation.
Porsche 912
The event saw 57 teams from seven nations competing with 17 different car brands. It was well-attended, presented top-level competition, and, thanks to beautiful winter conditions (cold, snowy, but sunny), it challenged both drivers and co-drivers. Nevertheless, all teams and cars completed the demanding 330-kilometer winter rally without technical or health-related retirements.
The Planai-Classic 2025 has set a high bar for the classic car season, which will continue with the Ennstal-Classic in July.
Picture credits: Ennstal Classic GmbH (3x)