Grossglockner Climb Auto Union 1939

The Grossglockner High Alpine road was opened in 1935 after 5 years of construction. It links the Austrian state of Salzburg with the state of Carinthia and is named after the Großglockner, Austria's highest mountain. The alpine pass is 1,953 metres (6,407 ft) at it's highest point.

To celebrate it's opening an 'International Automobile Race' was held, in the form of a mountain climb. The race was held twice more in 1938 and 1939.

"Onwards and Upwards" by John Ketchell

This painting by John Ketchell entitled "Onwards and Upwards" shows the Type D Auto Union of Hans Stuck tackling the 1939 race.

During practice in fine weather he set a course record (still standing today) of 8:59.6 mins, an average speed of 84.7kmh. Weather on the mountain is extremely changeable and race day was windy, wet and foggy. Visibility was poor. Hermann Lang still managed to charge up the mountain at an average speed of 75kmh to take 1st place, and the mountainclimb World Championship. Stuck finished a very close 2nd.

World War II was to break out soon after, and this event was never run again.