Special events are my expertise as demonstrated by the Challenge 2016. This gastronomic, touristic event with a sporty touch organised with the Bailliage of Salzburg became international – Austrians, Slovenians, Hungarians, Germans, British, a Lithuanian lady and Liechtenstein’s Bailli Délégué. We stayed at Salzburg’s Hotel Pitter prior to the start and at the end of the rally.

Thursday 8th
Briefing and preparing the cars.

Friday 9th
At 6am 40 participants in 20 cars departed Salzburg with an anticipated 6pm arrival in Monaco.

En route villages whose name began with the first letter of Chaîne des Rôtisseurs had to be visited. To decide the winning team, an official stamp with the name of each village had to be obtained as proof. The participants were good sports yet taking it seriously. The kilometres covered by each team were between 2000 and 2250 with 1000 kms being the shortest distance one-way.

We stayed two nights in Monaco – by the sea in the Monte Carlo Bay Hotel. The first evening we dined at the Automobile Club de Monaco where dinner was prepared by Chef Olivier Ribaute. Saturday we were able to explore Monaco, relax by the pool or, for the sporty ones, drive the Col de Turini - a famous special stage of the Monte Carlo Rally. Twelve teams did it and were amazed. That evening we dined at Las Brisas, the Monte Carlo Bay’s outdoor restaurant, where Michelin Star Chef Marcel Ravin created a superb dinner especially for us.

Sunday 11th
At 6am we departed for Salzburg, again with an anticipated arrival time of 6pm to be in time for the Gala Dinner at which the trophies were awarded to the three winners. Each participant received a souvenir from the Automobile Club of Monaco or from the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs.

During 24 years in the Chaîne I have never experienced such an atmosphere of kindness, politeness, co-operation and camaraderie among the participants which became very homogenous group. The event was a 100% success.

Günter Albert
Member of the Conseil d’Administration