Author Andrew Maness is giving you an exclusive look at part of his editorial piece in the upcoming, limited-edition Driver’s Journal 4. Read on to revel in the crisp mountain air while watching iconic machinery carve ice and throw powder at the first American FAT Ice Race in Aspen, Colorado, last February.
FAT International and the Magic of Aspen
At the helm of this ambitious venture stands Ferdi Porsche, the 30-year-old great-grandson of automotive legend Ferdinand Porsche, whose vision bridges the gap between European motorsport legacy and American automotive culture. Having already breathed new life into the GP Ice Race in Zell-Am-See, Austria, Ferdi and his team have now exported this unique spectacle to the most sophisticated slope-side setting one can find in the United States, the historic town of Aspen and the stunning valley that stretches out from it. In doing so FAT International has created an event that seamlessly blends an air of cheeky sophistication and international alpine elegance with dazzling high-octane moments.
The inaugural American edition at Tree Farm RFV emerged as a masterclass in exclusive motorsport theater, where the boundaries between competition and exhibition of speed dissolved into the crisp mountain air. Within the intimate confines of a 499-person gathering, the event transcended mere spectacle to become an automotive enthusiast’s dream, what with the unique curation of vehicles that ultimately translated to an exploration of automotive excellence.
The paddock became a living anthology of racing history, where each vehicle represented a chapter in the ongoing saga of automotive evolution. The 1998 Le Mans-winning Porsche GT1-98, its aerodynamic silhouette honed by countless hours in wind tunnels and proving grounds, sat in stoic dignity beside the last Porsche 550 Spyder ever crafted, a meditation on the progression of speed across generations.
As dawn broke over the Colorado peaks, the modern era asserted its presence with equal gravitas. The late Ken Block’s “Hoonipigasus” emerged as a testament to contemporary engineering audacity, a machine that transformed the traditional notion of a Porsche into something simultaneously irreverent and reverential. Ryan Turek’s 1966 Toyota Stout pickup, restored and modified with surgical precision, demonstrated how vintage platforms could be reimagined for modern competition, or in this case, excelling at throwing copious amounts of snow into the air.
Perhaps most emblematic of this fusion was Oil Stain Lab’s “Half11,” a daring amalgamation of Porsche DNA and Formula 1 architecture that challenges conventional automotive taxonomy. Having witnessed displays of the Half 11’s capabilities in drier (not to mention warmer) climates, it was a real treat to see it lapping the frozen track. Each vehicle, carefully positioned in the snow-laden paddock, from the quietly iconic VW Golf “Country” to the brutalist Lamborghini LM002, contributed to a narrative that spanned decades of automotive innovation. United for an exhibition of their abilities on an 1,809-foot stage of meticulously groomed ice, the vehicles of FAT Aspen represent a veritable automotive jewel box.
With such special hardware getting loose in the wintry environs, one could of course expect the driver roster to be stacked with motorsport-veterans and gentleman drivers alike. Their presence in the paddock, at hospitality and behind the wheel transformed the event from a mere mechanical exhibition of joy into a symphony of skill and precision. Luftgekühlt co-founder Patrick Long, whose career spans the highest echelons of professional racing, demonstrated the delicate art of maintaining control when grip becomes theoretical rather than certain alongside legends such as Cam Ingram and Jeff Zwart.
Drift maestros Chris Forsberg and Ryan Turek brought their mastery of controlled chaos to the frozen surface, producing some of the most impressive displays of flying snow, while Le Mans victor Stéphane Ortelli brought a smile to everyone’s face by bringing the Porsche GT1-98 way out of its usual habitat and answering the question “what does a Le Mans race car look like on a snow course?” The juxtaposition of driving styles created a mesmerizing spectacle; a pristine Mercedes-Benz 300SL “Gullwing,” its slippery silver form a homage to the golden age of motorsport, carved elegant arcs through the loose powder moments before the legendary Audi Quattro Sport S1, the very machine that conquered Pikes Peak in 1985, unleashed its snarling turbocharged fury in a spectacular display of power and precision. Each run represented not just a test of skill, but a dialogue between driver, machine, and the unforgiving nature of winter motorsport.
In bringing this unique motorsport tradition to Aspen, FAT International has created much more than just another racing exhibition event, it has established a new nexus where automotive heritage, alpine culture, and luxury lifestyle converge in perfect harmony. As the engines fell silent and the snow settled, one thing became clear: this frozen theater of speed has found a promising new home in the U.S.
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