Exciting finale of the ESA Championship 2024 in Kulm am Zirbitz

Exciting finale of the ESA Championship 2024 in Kulm am Zirbitz

On October 12th, the final of the ESA Championship 2024 at the Stoppelfeldenduro Doblhof took place in the idyllic Kulm am Zirbitz. In autumnal temperatures of just 3 degrees Celsius, the participants experienced an exciting competition. The day started frosty, but the sun came out just in time for the award ceremony. In a total of six races, Bernhard Walzer, despite a previously treated shoulder injury, fought for his sixth overall victory in the youngtimers and secured the full 25 points.

The event attracted 42 participants who took on the challenging 20-kilometer lap and the final stubble field special test. This special test even had to be completed five times. The ESA points allocation takes into account not only the time, but also handicap points that result from the age of the rider and the year of construction of his motorcycle. This innovative regulation ensures a fair race by giving experienced drivers and older machines in the wood class more chances.

Quality of organization and route

Praise goes to race director Walter Feiel, who, together with chairman Alfred Steinwidder and his team, made excellent preparations in advance. Steinwidder particularly thanked the landowners, the supporting nature guards and the rescue organization that ensured safety. The Kulm stick sports team also made its premises available for physical well-being. Feiel, who proved to be an experienced "old hand", announced that in future engines would only be allowed to run from the starting point and no longer in the paddock in order to reduce noise pollution.

The possibility of a longer bypass of a particularly steep section pleased the drivers, who wanted to approach the challenge a little more carefully. A highlight was the reunion with Italian friends, who happily accompanied numerous participants from Mühlen. Furthermore, Jörg Hienzsch was the furthest traveler from the north with his 1966 MZ and brought with him information about the impressive Enduro Museum in Zschopau.

Results of the stubble field enduro

Bernhard Walzer was able to achieve the fastest time in the youngtimer class on his 2-stroke KTM 300, built in 1973. Compared to Christian Kaiser, who rode a 1989 350 cc two-stroke KTM, Walzer was only one second ahead. Johann Kaiser took third place with his 350 KTM, built in 1987. Other placings included Peter Bous in fourth place and Patrick, who beat his brother Christopher Schipper in the duel for fifth place. Christopher, the managing director of KTM Austria, finished in seventh place, while her father Ekkehard followed the event closely.

The overall winners of the Stoppelfeld Enduro 2024 were determined in various categories. Bernhard Walzer emerged as the clear winner among the youngtimers. In the ESA Classic Enduro Championship, Walzer was able to achieve a total of 150 points, followed by Peter Bous with 108 and Günter Schopohl with 102 points. In the classic car category, Anton Reisenhofer prevailed, while the veterans trophy was won by Michael Hirschmugel.

The event was once again a magnificent sporting event that was able to strengthen the community of enduro athletes and accentuate the enthusiasm for motorsport in the region. A detailed report on this exciting championship is available on www.meinkreis.at to find.