Central European Rally: Austria 50 years later

Existing since 1910, the Österreichische Alpenfahrt had 43 editions when it was integrated into the brand new world championship for brands created in 1973. It was a renowned event in the tradition of the long events which took place at that time. Already belonging to the European Championship for several seasons, this round was well known to the main competitors of the time. On his list were the names of rising (and future!) stars such as Hannu Mikkola (1969), Björn Waldegård (1970), Ove Andersson (1971)…

In 1973, Austria was 9^e of the 13 appointments on the calendar. Run from September 12 to 14, it was wedged between the 1000 Lakes and Sanremo. Disputed on earth, this rally which included 31 special stages for 324,50 km timed had attracted most of the teams present since the start of the season. There was then no obligation to participate in all the events and manufacturers intervened according to their means and their commercial interests. Alpine had made the trip with two Berlinettes for Jean-Pierre Nicolas and Bernard Darniche, Fiat had fielded three 124 Abarths for Hakan Lindberg, Raffaele Pinto and Alcide Paganelli. Saab did not miss the opportunity to try to highlight itself elsewhere than in Sweden with Stig Blomqvist and Per Eklund and the VW Porsche Austria was well represented with its Coccinelle 1303S of Tony Fall, Janger Günther, Harry Källström and Franz Wittmann. Boys like Walter Röhrl (Opel Ascona), Ove Andersson (Toyota) or Achim Warmbold (BMW) were also present with the ambition to shine.

Already 32 years old, Warmbold had only been running for a few years. This did not prevent him from being noticed and supported by BMW. The German had been navigated by Jean Todt since the 1973 Acropolis Rally and together they had won in Poland a few months before in a Fiat 124 Abarth. In Austria, he left no chance to his rivals. Warmbold took the lead from the start of the race and led to the final podium despite a last stand from Bernard Darniche. This success in Baden, west of Vienna, was Warmbold's last at this level. This edition had experienced many malfunctions with special stages canceled, time checks at random locations... After 1973, the rally was never organized again and it was only this year that Austria regained the world championship with a few times during this CER.

Classification of the Österreichische Alpenfahrt 1973

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