IWC Schaffhausen’s role as official partner of the Passione Caracciola rally is a an expression of the company’s passion for motor racing at its classic best. To get the race under way, IWC brand ambassador and Formula One driver Nico Rosberg, and safety car driver Bernd Mayländer put in an exclusive appearance and drove Mercedes-Benz classic cars from Stuttgart to Schaffhausen. The Passione Caracciola rally, which is celebrating its premiere this year, will help ensure that the legend of Rudolf Caracciola, one of motor racing’s all-time greatest drivers, lives on.
As a partner of the Passione Caracciola, the Swiss watchmaking company supports the exclusive regularity rally, which is being held for the first time this year. The event, which takes participants from Stuttgart to Lugano via Schaffhausen, is dedicated to the memory of Rudolf Caracciola, the legendary racing driver who led the Mercedes-Benz team during the 1930s and after whom the rally is named. Through the Passione Caracciola, IWC has intensified its involvement in historic motor racing events.
Participants gathered in their fabulous collector’s cars at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart. Around 30 cars, all built between 1930 and 1960, were entered to take part in this very special rally. In its role as official partner, IWC started out in a number of selected Mercedes-Benz classic cars. Prime among these was the famous grand tourer, the 300 SLR (W196 S), with the starting number 417, the same vehicle that on May 1, 1955, won the Mille Miglia in Brescia in the series-built sports car category. A silver-grey 300 SL Roadster (W198 II) and a red 300 SL (R107) completed the attractive IWC fleet that made its way to Schaffhausen. To bring the event to a fitting close, participants gathered at Rudolf Caracciola’s grave to pay tribute to the outstanding racing driver who gave his name to the rally. After this, they were welcomed at his old villa, Casa Scania.
“In addition to our role as Official Engineering Partner of the Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team, we have also forged a link with classic cars through our cooperation with Mercedes-Benz Classic. At the most recent international Klausenrace in 2013, we sent the Silver Arrow W25 in which Rudolf Caracciola won the famous Swiss mountain race in the racing category in 1934 to take part. His record has remained unbroken to this day and, with the Passione Caracciola, we are proud to honor the memory of an exceptional driver.” said IWC CEO Georges Kern.
