FAT Ice Race 2026

We recently made the trip to Zell am See, Austria, to attend FAT Ice Race, a motorsport event with deep roots and a fresh energy that draws car enthusiasts from across Europe and beyond.

This isn’t a race on a frozen lake, it’s run on ground that freezes solid through winter and is prepared specifically to handle racing cars, buggies and skijoring teams.

FAT Ice Race traces its lineage back to the original GP Ice Race, a winter motorsport tradition going back to the early 1950s. What began with daredevils towing skiers on frozen surfaces evolved into organised car races that ran through the 1970s.

After decades of dormancy, the event was revived in 2019 by Ferdi Porsche, great‑grandson of Ferdinand Porsche. Ferdi and his team brought the GP Ice Race back to life at Zell am See, and under the banner of F.A.T. International the event has continued as FAT Ice Race, blending history with contemporary car culture and motorsport spirit.

The Porsche connection is strong: from the family’s historic ties to the region to the involvement of F.A.T. International, a name with motorsport heritage rooted in the Porsche legacy.

The paddock atmosphere is informal but focused. Cars sit side by side, from classic rally machines and performance builds to buggies and other unique entries. Conversations between runs often focus on setup, tyre choices, and adapting to low‑traction conditions.

Racing on ice‑hardened terrain strips driving down to fundamentals: balance, throttle control, steering precision. Aggression doesn’t win here; composure does. Across the categories, from classic entries to modern performance cars, the drivers who read the surface best made the difference.

Skijoring remains one of the most talked‑about elements of FAT Ice Race. It’s a discipline where coordination between driver and skier is key, and every moment counts. It’s not spectacle for its own sake, it’s a direct extension of winter motorsport challenge and skill.

What stands out most about FAT Ice Race is that it’s more than a set of timed runs. It’s a gathering of people who build cars, drive them hard, and care about how they perform in difficult conditions.

The event bridges classic motorsport heritage with contemporary enthusiasm.

Drivers and spectators alike treat it as a weekend of serious fun.