In the snowy “Monte Carlo of the Alps”, Team Uniqa Fresacher Racing (AUT) raced to victory, cheered on by a star-studded celebrity crowd. Ex-Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher, German model and TV presenter Gitta Saxx, and Nadja Abd El Farrag joined thousands of fans supporting the 24 international teams in defying the heavy snowfall to create a sizzling party atmosphere and a winter season opening to remember in the heart of the Austrian Alps.

Roaring engines and ecstatic fans ensured a true motorsport feeling in the world-famous resort as the last driver from Team Uniqa Fresacher Racing drifted his 100 kg snow mobile across the finishing line just seconds ahead of Team Swatch The Club (CH), defeating sporting greats participating in the event including former Formula 1 and current FIA-GT Championship driver Karl Wendlinger (AUT), former downhill skiing legend Kristian Ghedina (ITA), and ex-ski jumper Andreas Goldberger (AUT).

“All of us were fighting for every last centimetre as well as against the clock,” commented an exhausted Goldberger (Team OE3) after returning to the pits. “I was nervous at the beginning, but as the race went on I became more and more confident and by the end I didn’t even want to brake,” admitted downhill star Ghedina, who was joined by riders from the United Arab Emirates as part of Team Dubai Sport City.
Despite pushing themselves and their high-octane machines to the limit on the tough 850-metre course, the teams of six riders certainly didn’t let the day’s toils stop them from enjoying the pumping nightlife to the full. While the event partners got things going during the daytime with parties in their own paddock clubs and lounges, the scene hotted up as the sun went down, with Playmate of the Century Gitta Saxx taking to the decks and keeping the party rocking until the early hours.

“Top-class motorsport, plenty of action and no bad accidents – just what you need for a perfect winter season opening,” commented two-time Olympic sailing champion Hans Peter Steinacher (AUT) and conqueror of the feared Hahnenkamm downhill race in Kitzbühel Fritz Strobl (AUT). While the former was able to experience the action at first hand as he hurtled around the track, the latter preferred to watch from the sidelines: “It was simply too insane for me!”

Final Result of the SWATCH Snow Mobile Festival 2008 / Final Race:
1. Uniqa Fresacher Racing Team (AUT)
2. Swatch The Club (CH)
3. Rosis (AUT)
4. Höflinger der Münchner Bäcker (GER)
5. Lauda Motion (AUT)
6. Dubai Sport City (UAE)

Pictures for editorial purposes are available: Joerg Mitter, Andreas Schaad for Global-Newsroom.com