Race Track
After 1903 Castle Solitude was the finishing point of hill races. In later years, the grounds of the castle served as a hostel for drivers. From 1935 to 1965, the 11.3 kilometers Solituderennen course south of the castle was used for World Championship motorcycle Grand Prix racing. From 1961 to 1965, a series of non-championship Formula 1 races were also held on the same weekends, welcoming drivers such as John Surtees, Jim Clark, Dan Gurney and Jack Brabham. In their heyday, the Solitude races attracted crowds of 288,000 spectators, but they were abandoned in 1966.
In 2003, a revival competition was staged in and around the castle with former competitors and ex-world champions such as Giacomo Agostini. A rally to commemorate the 50th anniversary of races was held in 2004.
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Famous quotes containing the words race and/or track:
“Before we shall again behold
In his diurnal race the world’s great eye,
We may as silent be and cold
As are the shades where buried lovers lie.”
—Sir William Davenant (1606–1668)
“He who rides and keeps the beaten track studies the fences chiefly.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)