The phrase ‘pilgrimage’ is one with sturdy non secular connotations. It’s related to journeys which align with one’s religion or beliefs. A quest to seek out divinity. Some argue that the phrase ‘pilgrimage’ shouldn’t be used for non-religious functions. Yr after yr, modified automotive fanatics from all throughout Europe – and past – participate in a sacred journey to Wrocław, Poland for one weekend of automotive indulgence.
Which type of automotive indulgence? Ultrace.
Whereas Ultrace has been operating since 2010 in a single kind or one other, 2024 was the present’s first outing below the mildly-tweaked ‘Membership de Ultrace’ banner, and my first time attending. Judging by the next Adrian Kapica and his crew have grown prior to now 14 years, they might change their identify to something and the occasion would proceed to develop in reputation.
I’ll make it clear from the off – Ultrace is essentially the most spectacular automotive present I’ve ever attended.
I’ve by no means seen such a constantly excessive customary of present automotive earlier than. Even the ‘tamest’ of builds experience on immaculate cut up rims with improbable fitment and have alternative modifications to face out from the group.
The range of automobiles on show was mind-blowing, with one thing for everyone no matter style.
I’m an open-minded automotive fanatic – I’ve my time at Speedhunters to thank for that. However it doesn’t matter what form of wild builds I’ve featured over time, it’s a easy European automotive on fairly cut up rims that has my coronary heart.
Particularly if it’s an enormous saloon like these black 740s parked collectively. One BMW, one Volvo, each gangster.
Or on the opposite finish of the spectrum, I like a little bit sports activities automotive with an extended bonnet and a brief tail. This beautiful BMW Z4 M Coupé on AC Schnitzer Sort 3 Racing wheels was very cool, however simply throughout from it was a Mercedes-Benz SL ‘Pagoda’ on BBS RS wheels which I struggled to tug myself away from.
Are JDM automobiles extra your factor? How about this R34 Nissan Skyline GT-R on Work Meister S1 wheels, or one in all what felt like a thousand Mitsubishi Lancer Evolutions on show. Each of those automobiles received a coveted ‘High 16′ award.
Although on JDM automobiles, the drifting at Ultrace provides a lot of the weekend’s pleasure for spectators.
Organised by a mysterious man referred to as ‘Fiji’ and his workforce at Subsequent Stage Drift, the principle automotive park is became a drift monitor for the occasion. Drivers cram in as a lot sideways motion as could be match into the present weekend, leaving the Tarczynski Stadium partially engulfed in a cloud of smoke.
The standard Ultrace drift setup is as follows: JDM wheels (three-piece ideally), a BN sports activities equipment (or related), and a cool livery for optimum fashion factors when drifting.
The drift format is pretty small and the heavily-cambered automobiles don’t at all times carry out the smokiest drifts. However they make for some nice panning pictures if you’ll find a very good angle.
The drift paddock vibe was phenomenal. Folks serving to each other out; smiling, waving and customarily simply showing to let all their stresses go directly.
Fallacious Crew have been improbable, pulling off some critically shut tandem drift trains all weekend. I jumped from automotive to automotive with them for some monitoring pictures of the workforce…
…however Jake Crouch’s quick and aggressive runs in his RB26-powered Nissan Silvia have been essentially the most thrilling. Introduced from the UK, Jake’s purple S15 was usually seen out with Becky Evans’ S15 hitting among the quickest runs of the weekend.
There was solely a lot 30°C+ climate I might take across the heat-soaked drift automobiles, so some journeys to our pals at CSF and their air-conditioned sales space have been actually so as. Ravi Dolwani’s CSF Porsche 911 was displayed on a podium, accompanied by Pit+Paddock’s BMW M3 GTS Touring homage on one other cease of their European tour.
The American pair have been joined by some even additional afield automobiles such because the Liberty Stroll Lamborghini Countach and Ferrari Testarossa, and the Peaches Hyundai Pony which discovered itself in Poland from South Korea.
Talking of travelling, 2024 was the yr I lastly met in particular person fellow Speedhunters Alen and Vladimir. Hold an eye fixed peeled for his or her spotlights shortly.
With such an unimaginable choice of automobiles, Ultrace’s standing as a present in 2024, and three Speedhunters current – Alen had the concept we should always do one thing particular. Why not use our years of automotive present expertise, time across the best-modified automobiles on this planet and our style to decide on a Speedhunters ‘Automobile of the Present?’
After some back-and-forth textual content exchanges between ourselves and the Ultrace crew, the plan was set – we’d select our favorite automotive of the 2024 present and current an award on stage.
You’ll have to attend for my characteristic for some correct data on our champion, however Martin Szombierski’s 1969 Mercedes-Benz W108 was beautiful and all of us agreed it deserved to be recognised on the occasion. I can’t await you guys to see this…
Our prize? A chunk of billet metal, engraved by the extremely gifted Mica Dori, who received a High 16 award in her personal Mercedes 190 E.
Peaches’ Hyundai Pony took the highest spot, beating Liberty Stroll’s Lamborghini Countach for the Ultrace 2024 crown. The entire High 16 received awards, and it’s secure to say they have been all attractive automobiles.
That being mentioned, Ultrace had one final shock in retailer this yr. I believe the last word winner was the chap who proposed to his girlfriend on stage. She mentioned sure!
Why did I begin this text discussing pilgrimages? As a result of I’ve by no means seen a fan base so excited for and devoted to creating it to an occasion. Ultrace is in a league of its personal. I can’t wait to make the journey right here in my automotive too.
The vibe at Ultrace is just unmatched. I’m already excited for 2025!
Mario Christou
Instagram: mcwpn, mariochristou.world
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