The FAT Ice Race is not a track day. It is not a program. It is an event that drivers and collectors travel to from all over Europe, because something happens here that you can barely find anymore: motorsport culture as a celebration.
What it is
Zell am See, early February. On a prepared ice ring in Austria’s Salzburg region, historic racing and rally cars go head to head — Porsche 911 RSR, Audi Quattro, Lancia Delta, Ford Escort Mk2, Mini Cooper S. Add skijoring (skiers towed behind motorcycles, a Salzburg tradition dating back to the 1930s), demo runs of current Porsche works cars, and a paddock full of machines you would otherwise only see in a museum.
Founded by Ferdinand Porsche and Vinzenz Greger as a homage to the historic GP ice races of the 1950s. The 1952 winner was Otto Mathé — a one-armed driver in a modified Porsche 356, wearing a striped helmet and a leather cap. That is the history the FAT Ice Race pays tribute to.
Why it matters
- No glossy affair. The smell of the stables, gasoline fumes, icy air, real mechanic’s hands
- A mix you find nowhere else. ’80s Group B beasts alongside current GT3 RS demonstrations
- A knowledgeable crowd. Nobody claps for a burnout; everyone listens to the engine note
- Zell am See as the stage. An imperial backdrop, cold air, clear light
What you can do
As a spectator: Tickets are limited, so plan your trip early and book a hotel in the region (Zell, Saalbach, Kaprun) months in advance. A February weekend, usually early in the month.
As a driver: Participation is by selection, not bookable. Anyone who owns a period rally or racing car and has the right contacts can apply. Realistically: show up first, get to know the event team, and ask the following year.
ABXK Recommendation
The FAT Ice Race belongs on the season calendar of every serious driver. It is the one event of the year where you meet everyone across Europe who takes machine culture seriously — and where the word “lifestyle” takes on an honest meaning.
Listed as a Special Event in the 2026 Calendar. Anyone who has seen it once comes back every year.