Stoschek comes second at the Bernina Pass

One week after coming second at the San Martino di Castrozza Rally, Michael Stoschek has captured another second-place finish, this time at the Bernina Gran Torismo competition.

More than 60 cars lined up for the mountain race in the Swiss canton of Graubünden on September 22 and 23 to climb from La Rösa at an altitude of 1,880 meters to the Bernina Pass at 2,330 meters. The 5.9-kilometer route with hairpins and around 50 bends had to be driven three times in best time by the competition group. The top pilots averaged a speed of around 100 km/h. One run had to be canceled due to fog.

To tackle the mountain climb, the chassis of the 1973 IROC Porsche was lowered, a shorter transmission installed, and rally equipment – such as the passenger seat, spare wheel, jack and walkie-talkie – were removed to make the car lighter. Finally, racing tires were put on and the car was restored to the sort of condition it had when it was driven by Formula 1 pilots in the International Race of Champions series in the U.S. 45 years ago. Michael Stoschek commented: “The car is actually far too good for tough outings in rallies. It’s going to be used only on racing tracks in the future.”

After three runs, of which the best two counted in the overall standings, Stoschek was in 2nd place behind one of the 5 Lancia Stratos (dating from 1975) from Switzerland.

The next appearance by Michael Stoschek is in a 1970 Alfa GTAm at the International Edelweiß Mountain Prize Roßfeld Berchtesgaden from September 28 to 30.