(G)Race on ICE, Classic Cars to Waltz at St. Moritz's Frozen Lake
Iconic classic cars meet the thrill of racing on a frozen lake at The ICE St. Moritz, February 23-24. A celebration of automotive beauty and luxury in a world-class ski resort setting.
Ice, car, passion. The cocktail is served, as the perfect setting to enjoy it. We are at the dawn of The ICE St. Moritz 2024, the international event that on Friday 23 and Saturday 24 February will gather in Engadine the most beautiful and iconic classic cars on the stage of the frozen lake of the Swiss valley. Collectors, drivers, and beauty aficionados are expected from all over the world for two days of elegance, surrounded by a magical atmosphere.
Building on last year's success — when the ICE marked the 100th anniversary of Le Mans with a special LM100 concours class judged by an expert panel led by the legendary designer Giorgetto Giugiaro — the event skillfully combines the thrill of motorsports, the joy of après-ski celebrations, and the elegance of the Concours d’Elegance. A memorable occasion set against the backdrop of one of the world's most exclusive ski resorts.
The fascination with ice racing began 37 years ago when a group of British athletes drove their vintage Bentleys to St. Moritz to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Cresta Run. ICE founder Marco Makaus was inspired after watching the Bentleys glide across the frozen St. Moritz Lake. Finally, in 2019, his dream came true when the first preview of ICE was held.
The ICE St. Moritz was officially launched in 2022 and assembled more than 50 of the best automobiles, competing in five classes and racing around the frozen lake. The posh crowds sipped champagne as a piano bar and skating servers provided entertainment. True auto enthusiasts would socialise with fashionistas dedicated to making a dramatic statement off the ice in this ultra-exclusive social event of the season. Enhancing it, lead sponsor Richard Mille felt joining the two brands would create a niche of excellence built on the typical intrinsic nostalgia of a classy lifestyle.
Joining the jury this year, helping to select the best of the best, are Marco Makaus, Creator and Patron of The I.C.E. St. Moritz, Richard Adatto (one of the world’s leading experts on classic cars), Massimo Delbò (classic car historian), Mathias Doutreleau (founder and former director of The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, the flagship event of Monterey Car Week), Vanessa Marçais (creator of the G.T. & Sports Car Cup), Norman Foster (Internationally renowned British architect and designer), Christian Jott Jenny (Mayor of St. Moritz), Michele Lupi (journalist and Tod’s Men’s Collection Visionary), Philip Rathgen (CEO of Classic Driver), Augustin Sabatié-Garat (director at RM Sotheby’s), and Rolf Sachs (artist, designer and philanthropist),
This year, the committee added a fifth category to “further enhance certain cars with a record or history of particular relevance in racing.” The selections include Barchettas on the Lake, Open Wheels, Concept Cars & One-Offs, and Icons on Wheels, with the newly added Racing Legends:
- Barchettas on the Lake: Two-seater racing cars, dubbed with the fortunate term first used by Giovanni Canestrini referring to the historic Ferrari 166 in 1948, which in this location seem to find, with subtle irony, their natural habitat;
- Open wheels: Extraordinary single-seaters from the '50s, '60s, and '70s, the golden age of motor racing, designed specifically for track driving where mechanical engineering coexists in perfect symbiosis with the beauty of forms;
- Concept Cars & One Offs: Unique specimens, born from the creative genius of visionary minds, or tailor-made according to the taste, character, and personality of their owner;
- Icons on Wheels: Timeless class and charm for these emblematic vehicles, endowed with a regal composure that will always be current, while equally bearing witness to the fashion and style of an era.
