DAY 6, ALL THOUGHTS ON THE STELVIO PASS

The grandeur and situation among breathtaking Alpine vistas of the Interalpen Hotel near Innsbruck heralded another spectacular day's motoring.

All thoughts were on the Stelvio Pass as participants crossed the border to Italy. The infamous road's usual faithful were greeted to an extraordinary site as the group approached. Though the Trial doesn't officially climb the Pass until tomorrow morning, many, including the 1913 Radley car, chose to ascend the 3000 metre road via 48 devilishly difficult hairpins and switchbacks.

The views and rapturous applause when they reached the top was more than worth the effort. A dinner in Solda attended by the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars CEO, Torsten Müller-Ötvös, followed by an early night in preparation for a final 6.00 am ascent.

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DAY 5, TACKLING THE BRENNER PASS

Even the world's worst placed roadworks could not deter our hardy band of participants today as the Trial wound its way from Lienz to Seefeld.

The Brenner's characteristic steep inclines, hairpins and switchbacks were made all the more challenging by a group of dumb-struck workmen – placed on the crest of a near blind corner. With a dizzying drop one side and sheer rock the other, some expert manoeuvring was required to best the unexpected obstacle.

What was to come proved worth an exasperation. After dropping down to Innsbruck, an exhausting climb to the night's rest-stop in Seefeld rewarded all concerned with a breathtaking view of the Alps, a cool dip in the pool and a well-earned drop of the local brew.

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DAY 4, THE KATSCHBERG CHALLENGE

After the previous evening's battle with the elements, participants could be forgiven for their joy at being back out on the road in glorious summer sunshine.

Fearing the effects of promised 30 degree plus temperatures, many chose to start the run to the Katschberg Pass early. An enchanting meander through lush Alpine forests soon gave way to the challenges of a 17% gradient to the 1800 ft summit, with stunning views that rewarded those that conquered the beautiful Lueg Pass.

However, this was nothing compared to the Katschberg Pass – a 28% gradient that culminated in a 5400 ft summit. An easier run into the charming town of Lienz was welcomed after a gruelling day. However, once again 47 Silver Ghosts, many over a century-old, performed almost faultlessly.

Talk of tomorrow's run to Innsbruck and the promise of the awe-inspiring Stelvio Pass on Thursday rang around the bar as road-weary participants wound down after another wonderful day's motoring.

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DAY 3, A DAY OF REST FOR CENTENARY ALPINE TRIAL PARTICIPANTS

The birthplace of Mozart provided a perfect location today for the first rest day of the Centenary Alpine Trial. The 47 Silver Ghosts on the Trial enjoyed some welcome fettling time, whilst the fleet of accompanying 2013 Rolls-Royce Ghosts – undoubtedly the most luxurious support cars in history – provided transfers for drivers and passengers as they wafted around the historic city of Salzburg.

An enchanting gala dinner at Schloss Hellbrunn culminated in drama. Following a tour of the Castle's water gardens – participants were about to be treated to an outside opera performance when the heavens opened spectacularly.

Cue 150 20-Ghost Club members dashing to their open top cars in a scene more akin to a Le Mans start than the graceful egress into one's Rolls-Royce.

All was forgotten with a swift drink in the bar before driver's headed off to bed in preparation for what promises to be an unforgettable run to Lienz.

Tomorrow the Trial starts again in earnest, with the challenging 230 km journey including two major passes, the Radstadter Tauern Pass and the infamous Katschberg Pass. This forms part of the original 1913 Alpenfahrt journey taken on Monday 23 June 1913, when the 418 km from Salzburg to Innsbruck was covered in just a single day.

To whet your appetite, we include a photo of the 1913 Radley car as it lead the 2013 Centenary Alpine Trial into Salzburg, just as it did 100 years ago.

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DAY 2, EFFORTLESS TOURING IN THE SUNSHINE

After the excitement of the first dash to Gaming from Vienna, the 2013 Centenary Alpine Trial quickly settled into something of a natural rhythm.

The Silver Ghost's near-silent operation seemed apt as they headed off from their night stop – a beautifully restored 13th Century Carthusian monastery. Even the local monks took a break from their duties to stand by and watch in awe.

A relatively un-arduous route was punctuated with the ascent of the Niederalp Pass followed by a mesmerising meander along the banks of the River Danube. As if Sir Henry Royce himself had arranged it, the Trial has been bathed in glorious sunshine from the off – the perfect conditions for effortless, open-top touring.

The 47 cars on the Trial continue to hold-up extraordinarily well considering many are into their second century of operation – a rest day on Sunday will provide welcome fettling time for participants before Monday's push to Lienz.

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DAY 1, 130 MILES, 0 'FAILURES TO PROCEED'

Years of meticulous planning came to fruition as the 2013 Centenary Alpine Trial was flagged off in fine fashion by The Markgraf Pallavicini today.

47 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghosts, resplendent on a glorious summer afternoon wafted from Vienna's Kursalon towards Gaming. Despite challenges represented by the characteristic sweeping bends, hairpins and switchbacks; spirits were high.

Much to the pleasure of awe-struck locals and tourists, many chose to lunch in the shadow of the famous cathedral at Mariazell before ascending the beautiful Semmering pass.

A leisurely country-run to the Hotel Karthause concluded the day, offering yet another wonderful photo opportunity framed by its 13th Century monastic facade.

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DAY 0, 150 PEOPLE, REPRESENTING 12 COUNTRIES, 47 CARS, 1 DAY TO GO

Vienna’s gentele charms stirred with the sound of sharp intakes of breath from anxious historic Rolls-Royce owners on Wednesday. The reason, 47 priceless Silver Ghosts, gingerly negotiating the narrow ramp leading to their final overnight resting point before the 2013 Centenary Alpine Trial is officially waved-off.

The Rolls-Royce Works Team and crew also arrived with the 2013 Alpine Trial Centenary Ghost, with the group from Goodwood ever thankful for its suite of reversing cameras and driver aids that ensured less perilous negotiation of the Austrian capital’s car parks.

Thursday saw a welcomed tonic as owners, navigators and drivers were treated to a garden party at the British Ambassador’s residence. A toast from Her Excellency to the ‘Best Car in the World’ and a shared brand of British eccentricity was greeted rapturously, before all returned for briefings and final fettling in preparation for Friday morning’s big send-off.

Anticipation is beginning to build across a route that takes in four countries, 1850 miles and some of the most challenging, yet visually arresting terrain in the world. All are welcome to view the rally as it winds its way through Austria, Croatia, Slovenia and Italy.

For those who’d like to follow the Trial virtually, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has teamed up with History Pin, a cutting-edge heritage picture website, to provide you with a fascinating insight into both the 1913 and 2013 events.

Daily updates, pictures and live dispatches from the road will appear across all Rolls-Royce Motor Cars social media channels throughout the Trial.

To all those participating or joining us on the Trial… GUTE FAHRT!

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HISTORICAL CONTEXT AND PHOTOS

On 14 June 2013, 47 vintage Rolls-Royce Silver Ghosts will depart from Vienna, wafting through Austria, Slovenia, Croatia and Italy before returning to Vienna on 29 June 2013 – exactly 100 years to the day that the 1913 Alpenfahrt finished.

The faithful re-enactment celebrates the seminal 1913 Trials, a test of endurance that saw the Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost cement its reputation for faultless reliability – establishing the legend of the 'Best Car in the World'.

The Cars tackle over 1,800 miles over some of the world's most spectacular and challenging mountain passes. Echoing events a century ago, a Rolls-Royce Works Team will take part in the Trial. The original 'James Radley' 1913 Silver Ghost will be joined by a contemporary homage created by Bespoke designers and craftspeople at the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, England.

To whet your appetite, we include some photos from the original 1913 Alpenfahrt – many of the original 'James Radley' 1913 Silver Ghost which competed a century ago.

Please click here for more information on the 1913 Alpine Trial.

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