St. Moritz. Until 1925, automobiles were still forbidden on the dusty roads of the Upper Engadine. The then boss of Shell felt disturbed by the dust kicked up by the early motorists playing golf in St. Moritz and without further ado had the first road between Samedan and Pontresina tarred, which is why the road was henceforth called Shellstrasse. Only a few years later, in 1929, the International St. Moritz Automobile Week was launched, following the enthusiasm for mobility and in order to attract tourists. The series of events consisted of a kilometer race on the aforementioned Shellstrasse, a beauty contest in front of the Kurhaus (today the Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains), skill drives, and a rally. The crowning finale of the St. Moritz Automobile Week was the Bernina Race. Won in 1929 by Hans Stuck on Austro Daimler and in 1930 by Chiron on Bugatti. Top-class drivers were at the start! The calculation worked out, the recreation seekers came in ever greater numbers, the rest is high-society history. It was also possible to draw on the fame of the 1928 Winter Olympics. But it still took until 2015 for a small group around the collector, patron and motorsport enthusiast Kurt Alexander Engelhorn to really revive the Bernina Race. “Imagine if the Mille Miglia and the Goodwood Festival of Speed had a child in the Swiss Alps”. The Bernina Gran Turismo, the new name of the traditional event, soon gained international cult status. On numerous platforms, such as Petrolicious, people praised “The Bernina Gran Turismo is the best event I’ve been to all year” or “Imagine if the Mille Miglia and Goodwood’s Festival of Speed had a baby in the Swiss Alps.” Even Forbes magazine spoke of the “World’s Most Beautiful Vintage Racing Competition” and thus contributed to the good reputation of the race. Last but not least, it was the great cooperation with St. Moritz that allowed the event to grow steadily. From the beginning, the field of participants was limited to 80 cars. Naturally, the organizers had the idea early on to revive not only the Bernina Race, but rather the entire Automobile Week. In the pandemic year 2020, most events were postponed or cancelled altogether, the “BGT” took place undisturbed. And in the second Corona year, it was even joined by two other events: Kilomètre Lancé – Alpine 1000 and Motorsport Rendezvous.
There are many “repeat offenders” and also the really big names of the scene are always there. But apart from racers like Striezel Stuck, Arthurio Merzario, Stefan Johannson or Andy Wallace, it’s the enthusiasts from all parts of the world who make this event endearing, exclusive and worth experiencing. So why not become a part of it whilst the entry lists for 2022 are still open! A car week to take part in The International St. Moritz Automobile Week has what it takes to become a small “Monterey Car Week” in the heart of Europe. An automobile week that offers you the opportunity to be an active part of it. You can simply hop into your own classic car, motorcycle or sports car at home, enjoy the drive along one of the wonderful roads that lead to St. Moritz and you are there – as an active member of the multi-layered community that makes up this hobby. The highlight of the St. Moritz summer season also offers spectators the desired amenities of the famous resort. One is welcomed in St. Moritz, is a guest of friends and can find among like-minded people the historical mobility as a cultural asset worth preserving. Some will participate in an event, some “only” watch. But everyone is an active part of the whole.
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