Winterfahrt Event Report
Alabama – NW Florida Section’s 13th annual Winterfahrt (winter drive) or challenge of Ol’ man winter seemed that it could be a real challenge for the first time in a decade. The week started out with 6 inches of snow in North Alabama and at higher elevations near the route.
As it turned out, however we started out in cold but clear conditions which warmed to 60 degrees by our lunch stop at Horseshow Bend National Military Park.
This was received by the challenging drive down “The Copperhead” (AL 25) with its multiple hairpins, crossing the Coosa River on Logan Martin Dam and the Talladega dirt track’s annual snowball races.
We then followed AL 77 through the Talladega National Forest and the picturesque town of Ashland. Following approximately Andrew Jackson’s 1814 route more twists and turns brought us to Horseshoe Bend on the Tallapoosa River.
The interpretive center and battlefield markers were most interesting, as this opened most of and eventually all of Alabama and Georgia to European American settlement.
After out picnic lunches we proceeded south through Dadeville to cross the Tallapoosa again at Martin Dam. We then followed the Western Shore of Lake Martin back to Alexander City.
We could therefore name this drive: several hairpins, 2 ovals, 2 lakes, 2 dams, and a horseshoe.
Jim Roberts
(History of the Winterfahrt)
It seems like such a short time ago. January of 2010 the leadership
of the multi-mark “Polar Bear Run” decided that the light snow earlier
in the week and the predicted 23˚ F high discouraged the British cars.
A quick call to our MBCA members who was President of the local
chapter of the Porsche Club confirmed that both clubs were still game
along with whomever of the other European clubs wanted to join us.
As it turned out, MBUSA’s new President, Markus Schӓfer joined us.
He was replacing Ola Kӓllenius who is now CEO of Daimler, AG.
We encountered only a few small patches of ice or snow. All 40 cars
made the trip, and a new tradition was born. Over time the Brits
opted out, and the event grew to 80+ cars. This was a bit unwieldy,
so the Porsche Club started having a drive on a different date.