Report: La Montée Historique du Ballon d’Alsace
21.08.2025
On the second weekend of August 2025, the traditional La Montée Historique du Ballon d'Alsace event took place. This time, Philippe Jouanne was there in his classic green Volvo 142. Alain Stempfer from SKANDIX took the passenger seat – his first time in this vehicle.
A hot weekend in the Vosges mountains
The weekend offered ideal summer weather, but with extremely high temperatures. During the drive uphill, Alain in the passenger seat had to contend with the heat and his fireproof suit. Once at the top, he was relieved to slip out of his gear – a visible sign of how demanding this climb can be.
Performance and impressions
The Volvo 142 showed itself from its best side and ran very reliably. Nevertheless, it became clear that the long and steep climb at the Ballon d'Alsace would have required more engine power. As Philippe remarked, “a more powerful engine would be welcome” (reference: 1054226).
Despite the limited power, the team performed excellently. They were able to catch up with a BMW M3 early on – a remarkable achievement. Philippe also demonstrated his driving style on the following climbs: the vehicles started at 15-second intervals, but the Volvo 142 regularly caught up with other participants and overtook them with ease.
Personal impressions
The first few runs were for orientation, as Philippe was unfamiliar with the track at the start. The first video he recorded showed his debut. By the fourth run, he had already settled in well – even though the extra 100 kg of Alain as a co-driver was a slight handicap, as both noted with a wink.
Conclusion
All in all, Philippe Jouanne and Alain Stempfer had an outstanding weekend at the Ballon d'Alsace. The Volvo proved its reliability and sportiness, even if it could do with a little more power in some places. The atmosphere was excellent, the rides were exciting, and there was plenty to talk about – not least for Alain, who will no doubt be recounting his experiences on his way back from vacation.
Photos and videos from the event round off the impressions and bring the enthusiasm for this traditional mountain event to life.
Info
What:
Ballon d'Alsace
When:
Friday, August 8 to Sunday, August 10, 2025
Where:
Belfort (France)
