Rally drivers angry

Alpine farmers prevented charity event for children

Racing driver Kris Rosenberger also wanted to take part in the charity event on a forest trail near the Rettenbachalm

(Bild: Dostal Harald)

Gerwald Grössing (56) from Rohr im Gebirge (Lower Austria) is a man with a big heart. When his daughter, who lives in Bad Ischl, told him about the severely disabled children at the Caritas day nursery, he decided to organize a charity event for them at the Rettenbachalm. However, the alpine farmers opposed the charity event.

The idea of the forester and former rally racer (runner-up in the 2013 national championship): He and his racing driver colleague Kris Rosenberger (54) wanted to give not only the impaired children a ride there on a 1.5-kilometer-long forest road with two rally cars, but also visitors who were supposed to pay for it.

No road closure would have been necessary. This would have meant a few minutes' wait for hikers and private vehicle traffic - 15 members of the skateboard club would have been deployed as marshals.

Everything was already planned
The Samariterbund would have taken the children to the Rettenbachalm. They would also have had the opportunity to ride therapy horses on site. "We wanted the children to have an unforgettable day," says Grössing. In addition, alpine specialties were offered, the proceeds of which were also to be donated in full to the Ischl Caritas after-school care center.

Former racing driver and forester Gerwald Grössing is disappointed

(Bild: Grössing)

Grössing contacted the head of the nursery, who was delighted with the charity campaign. Mayor Ines Schiller (SP) also liked the idea. The Federal Forestry Office, as the landowner, also agreed. And because grazing cattle will be coming to the alp from May, the event was to be held in April.

The Rettenbachalm is a popular excursion destination

(Bild: www.fotohofer.at)

"I would never have expected this"
"However, this has now come to nothing because the project has faced headwinds from a side I never expected - the alpine farmers who have a right of way there," says Grössing.

They simply didn't want to allow the path to be used: "This is extremely disappointing and shameful from a human point of view. I feel so sorry for the children. I still don't know how to explain this to the Caritas day care center."

Pro-Kommentar

Keine Rallye-Autos auf der Alm

Lower Austrian Gerwald Grössing's commitment to Bad Ischl, the European Capital of Culture, is greatly appreciated: But driving around the Rettenbachalm in smelly, high horsepower rally cars is more than just a crazy idea.

(Bild: Krone KREATIV)

It would be a slap in the face to the farmers who work hard to cultivate and maintain this beautiful spot. Rally cars belong on the road and not on a mountain pasture. And the children would certainly have just as much fun if they were allowed to sit in a racing car on a road in the valley. That would certainly be conceivable in Ischl.

Contra-Kommentar

Unkultur in der Kulturhauptstadt

The boys at the Caritas day care center for children with special needs in Bad Ischl in particular are said to have lit up when they were told that they could ride in real rally cars. The girls were looking forward to riding the therapy horse.

(Bild: Krone KREATIV/Alexander Schwarzl, Markus Wenzel)

However, it would not only have been a personal highlight for the disabled children - the proceeds were also intended to help finance necessary purchases for the after-school care center.

The farmers' "Njet" is difficult to understand in human terms. The cars would hardly have caused any damage to the road due to their low speed. At least less than tractors...