Fire on ice

It’s been 45 years since the GP Ice Race in Zell am See, Austria, thrilled crowds as motorsport royalty fought it out on the most treacherous racing surface known to man. But in 2019, the chill Austrian air will once again carry the cheer of the motorsport fans and the roar (in most cases) of racing engines at full noise.

The revived racing format which was active from 1937 to 1973, will see Audi Tradition take part with what can only be described as a ‘diverse’ collection of racing machinery. Indeed, Audi Tradition is using the revival to demonstrate the history and future of the motor racing program – featuring, among others, an Auto Union Type C that as part of the historic exhibition and the most spectacular rally car of all time, the Audi Sport quattro S1, also doing laps at the GP Ice Race.

But without doubt, the stars of the show will be the Audi e-tron FE04 with Daniel Abt at the wheel and DTM Champion René Rast in his Audi RS 5 DTM race car.

Aside from the addition of studded tyres, these purpose-built cars and their respective drivers will be thrown into very unfamiliar and unforgiving territory, where grip is a relative concept.

“In karting, I once drove an ice race against Nico Rosberg on studded tyres and with the Audi driving experience I’ve been to Sweden before,” says 32-year-old Rast. 

“Obviously, ice is the absolute challenge for any race driver. Even though everything seems to be happening in slow motion, we have to be fully focused. On the one hand, it’s fun but on the other, as always, we want to feel the limit. I’m already very excited.”

Formula E star, Daniel Abt in his open cockpit is even closer to the frozen surface. The German driver who claimed his first victory in Mexico before going on to win his home Formula E race in Berlin, will be driving the Audi e-tron FE04 Formula E championship-winning car. The electric race car will be clawing at the ground on studded tyres as well. 

“On ice in a single-seater – what a combination!” says Abt. “I once drove an ice kart race and on another occasion I was a passenger in Mattias Ekström’s rallycross Audi on snow. But I’ve never driven a race car on ice myself. I’m sure that’ll be huge fun. I hope I won’t need an ice scraper for my helmet visor …”

We’ll bring you all the action from the GP Ice Race when it takes place on January 19 and 20 in Zell am See, Austria.