The reality of the conditions at this year's Zell Am See Ice Race may not have reflected the crisp blue skies and snow-capped peaks that attendees envisaged, but clearly that didn't prevent some fantastic on-track action. Around 16,000 spectators were estimated to have turned out to see the event, now in its second year since being revived - while a smorgasbord of manufacturers demonstrated just how well - or not - their products could handle the conditions.
In a 'Goodwood on Ice' type format, everything from full-spec rally cars to road-going Rufs, via NASCAR trucks and DTM racers took to the frozen surface, competing in a mix of demonstration runs and timed events. In lieu of an official highlight reel, the below video, compiled by Youtuber 912fordgt, gives a decent idea of the range of machinery on display - the Lancia Delta at 8:56 showing the others how it's done.
In the so-called 'Ice Race of Champions', entrants took to a set of technically-identical, factory-prepared Skoda Fabia Rally2 Evos. German rally champion Fabian Kreim came out on top here, his first and second place finishes in the weekend's two races being enough to earn victory.
When it came to motorsport glory, however, the biggest success of the weekend was claimed by Bentley. While its purpose-built Continental Ice Racer was wowing the crowds in Austria, a Continental GT3 took the chequered flag in very different conditions down under, winning the Bathurst 12 Hour from 11th place on the grid.
Despite temperatures of up to 40oC, the team of Maxime Soulet, Jordan Pepper and Jules Gounon also set a new distance record of 314 laps. At the same time, Junior WRC driver Catie Munnings was hauling professional skier Sven Rauber around the Zell Am See circuit in a demonstration of skijoring - if that doesn't demonstrate the versatility of the opulent Gran Tourer then we don't know what does.
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