The cantons of Uri and Glarus have issued Klausen Historic GmbH with the basic authorisation for the Klausenrennen. The Klausenrennen will be held on the 21.5 km original course between Linthal (GL) and Klausenpasshöhe (UR) from 25 to 27 September 2026.
From 1922 to 1934, the Klausenrennen for cars and motorbikes on the Klausen Pass (1,948 metres above sea level) in Switzerland was regarded as the toughest mountain test in Europe. The best racing drivers of the time, such as Caracciola, Chiron, Bullus, Nuvolari, Varzi and Stuck, all came to Linthal to take on the 21.5 km gravel track. A victory in the Klausenrennen was of the greatest renown for drivers and manufacturers.
Between 1993 and 2013, five memorial races were held on the Klausen with great national and international resonance. Since then, participants and visitors have missed this highlight of historic motorsport in the unique Swiss mountain landscape. On 6 August 2022, the 100th anniversary was celebrated as part of a memorial event with show drives by several hundred classic vehicles. It brought the fascination of the „Klausenrennen“ back into the memories of many people.
From 2026, the Klausenrennen will take place every two years. It will refer to traditional values such as „belief in technological progress“ and „motivation for top performance“ as well as contemporary challenges such as sustainability, environmental responsibility and current fields of science.
The cantons of Uri and Glarus emphasise the great potential of the Klausenrennen for tourism and the economy in the region, as well as its positive impact far beyond the classic motoring community. As the memorial events between 1993 and 2013 have already impressively demonstrated, the Klausenrennen fascinates a very broad population from young to old. People are impressed by the old technology, which is preserved by enthusiasts and can be experienced up close. In this day and age, the event acts as an antithesis to the throwaway mentality and radiates a positive vibe, characterised by value preservation and authenticity.
The historic Klausenrennen will also symbolise in the cultural and social environment of modern times the fundamental importance of technology, progress and change. Back in the 20's and 30's, the race cars and bikes represented what was technically feasible and inspired people to embrace progress through automotive technology. These vehicles still fascinate people today because, despite their advanced age, they impressively demonstrate what was technically possible at the time.
The spirit of progress of the early 20th century can be experienced by young and old alike. With an event that combines the joy of technology and conviviality, the cantons of Glarus and Uri present themselves with their scenic, cultural and social values in the best light both nationally and internationally.
To achieve this, the new Klausenrennen will be organised according to the following principles.
Pure: The events will be organised as sporting, historic hill climbs – with regularity and race categories – and will be based on the original races from the pre-war era. They are clearly geared towards the needs of the drivers and their vehicles.
International: For many people around the world there is nothing quite like the „Klausen myth“, as Bernhard Brägger perfectly describes the legendary Klausenrennen in his book of the same name. The new Klausenrennen are therefore aimed at both national and international participants and audiences.
Modern: The modern means of video, streaming or GPS tracking will be utilised in order to experience the Klausenrennen as closely and intensively as possible during, before and after the event.
Regional: The Klausenrennen is inseparably associated with the region and becomes a festival of the people of Glarus and Uri. In addition to historic motorsport, culture, traditions and culinary delights from the region around the Klausen Pass play a key role. Anyone from the region who wants to take part will be included in the event.
Regularly: The new Klausenrennen will get a permanent place on the historic motorsport agenda by holding the races regularly. By organising the Klausenrennen on a regular basis, it will become a reliable, predictable part of the event calendar for the cantons of Uri and Glarus, the population and local businesses. It generates a sustainable value for the region.
The Klausen Race is organised as a contemporary public event with strong regional roots. Like any event with a large public, the ecological footprint is caused to a considerable extent by visitor traffic and the festival activities. The measures to reduce the environmental impact are therefore also focussed on these and other aspects. Experience from comparable events is taken into account to avoid and neutralise environmental impacts.
With the receipt of both basic approvals, the starting signal has been given for us to work out the detailed implementation concepts with regard to safety, environmental protection, traffic and the event programme and to get the financing in place. In addition to participant fees, the Klausenrennen relies heavily on partners who contribute financially or with material and services. The acquisition of sponsors plays a decisive role in whether or not the Klausenrennen can be held in 2026 as planned.
Date: 25 to 27 September 2026
Route: As for the historic races, from Linthal (Glarus) to the summit of the Klausen Pass (Uri)
Route profile: Length 21.5 km, difference in altitude 1,260 m, 136 curves, maximum gradient 10.5 % gradient
Vehicles: Open to around 250 cars and 150 motorbikes, sidecars and threewheelers built up to 1949 and special categories
Categories: Regularity categories with personal reference times and race categories with fastest time driven
Start applications: Expected from early 2026
Programme:
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The Klausen Historic GmbH was founded in July 2023 by Christian Walti and Alexander Roosdorp with the aim of organising the Klausenrennen as a regular, contemporary event. The two founders are united by their longstanding passion for classic vehicles and their conviction that the racing and sports cars of the pre-war era are both fascinating witnesses to the cutting-edge technology of the time and emotional favourites that still inspire passion for technology and progress today.
The Klausen Historic GmbH is responsible for setting up the project organisation of the Klausenrennen. The project and its organisation committee will be constituted in a separate, suitable legal entity, which will primarily integrate local people and businesses from the cantons of Glarus and Uri.