Hotel Schöne Aussicht and W&S Motorsport: A long-lasting relationship that goes far beyond business

But W&S Motorsport and the qualified chef Duffner have much more in common than business: Axel is like a family member. Most recently, this was affirmed at the annual team event in January, where more than 30 team members spent cosy hours in the best of moods and with delicious food. 

The Duffner family started in 1902, back then as a farm and beverage sales in the middle of the forest. In the following decades, the Schöne Aussicht developed into a farm inn where hikers could refresh themselves. In 1970, Axel Duffner's parents expanded the property into a restaurant and offered the first guest rooms. In the mid-1980s, a swimming pool with sauna was added. At the turn of the millennium, the guest house was built with additional rooms. It was already clear at that time that Axel would take over the family business and thus continue the traditional hospitality. Today, the hotel has 98 beds and almost 40 employees who take care of the guests' well-being. 

Relaxation for body and soul with a picturesque panorama 

How the Hotel Schöne Aussicht got its name is self-explanatory after arrival. Surrounded by dark fir trees, the panorama from the hotel is breathtaking at any time of year. The fresh mountain air of the Black Forest immediately creates a holiday mood and at the latest after the warm welcome at the reception and entering the four-star room, you feel at home. 

After the first hike at the latest, the restaurant invites you to refuel. Delicious dishes from the region, but also tasty international meals do not make the choice easy. One thing is certain: every plate is prepared and served with love and the best quality. To match, a freshly tapped beer quenches the thirst or a good glass of wine flatters the palate. In summer, the large terrace with a view of the valley invites you to linger into the evening hours. On cold winter days, the restaurant with its oven is cosy and warm. A sumptuous breakfast buffet guarantees a healthy start to the next day of your holiday. 

You can work up a good sweat in the "Waldesruh" wellness area, which has been lovingly redesigned since 2020 and covers an area of 970 square metres: swimming pool, whirlpool, sauna, steam bath, fitness room and the professional massage department offer everything you need to work out and relax. 

Day trips to the Kinzig Valley with the famous "Black Forest Open Air Museum Vogtsbauernhof", to the Rhine Valley or even as far as the Vosges Mountains provide variety. If you want to leave your car behind, you can explore numerous hiking trails. Of course, the Duffner family will be happy to fill your backpack with snacks and help you choose the right route. 

Axel Duffner - the loyal team member 

Axel Duffner has always been enthusiastic about motorsports in his spare time and first climbed into the cockpit of a VW Golf and an Opel Kadett C himself at slalom races in 1992. In the following years, he first met Patrick Wagner at the events and later Daniel Schellhaas at the Nürburgring. The foundation stone for their further journey together was laid. 

Since 2016, Duffner has repeatedly shared the work at the wheel with Schellhaas in the endurance race at the Nürburgring until 2019. Since 2020, Schellhaas has been concentrating exclusively on his duties as team boss and Duffner had to set his priorities away from the race track with the start of the Corona pandemic, because at that time, the major renovation of the wellness area began at the hotel. But the fast chef from the Black Forest could not do without racing altogether. In 2022, he climbed back into the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 from W&S Motorsport for the 50th anniversary of the legendary 24-hour race in the Green Hell. In 2023, Duffner also wants to strengthen the cockpit crew of the racing team from Ofterdingen at the 24h race.

"Axel is a doer and yet always kept his feet on the ground," begins Daniel Schellhaas. The team boss recalls: "Hornberg is not far from our headquarters in Ofterdingen. The fact that our paths crossed with Axel was great luck. We get on very well and have celebrated many parties since getting to know each other, but have also competed in many a strenuous race. What makes him special is that he is never too fussy for anything and if you are looking for him in the team tent, you will usually find him in the kitchen there too. We are very lucky on so many levels to have Axel as part of the team." 

Patrick Wagner also agrees with a laugh: "Even shortly before getting into the car, already in his racing overall and with helmet on his head, he grabs the broom again to keep the stand in the pit lane clean. I have never seen any other driver do that. It's quite possible that it's the Swabian in him who's calling for a sweep. Even at the 24-hour race, Axel still stands at the barbecue to spoil the whole team with onion roast, simply a mega-cool guy, our Duffi!" 

Somewhat more modestly, Axel Duffner explains: "It's always a pleasure for me when I can support W&S Motorsport. The entire team has been very professional right from the start, has developed accordingly up to the present day and has been rewarded with championships. I enjoy visiting Patrick and Daniel's team at the races. And when we can celebrate a victory together, like in Hockenheim last October, it's even nicer. I'm always itching to get going, but the hotel and the expansion come first. The partnership with W&S Motorsport and the friendship with Patrick and Daniel is very important to me and I hope that we can spend many more wonderful hours together. Of course, I would be very happy if we could welcome fans of the team in our hotel in the future. I am always available for petrol talks then!" 

In conclusion, Michaela Duffner says: "We would like to preserve the Hotel Schöne Aussicht with its family tradition for the future and offer our guests a special ambience of relaxation in the beautiful Black Forest. We cordially invite you to get to know our house." Smiling, she adds, "Axel is a great husband, chef and manager and sometimes still a child at heart, especially as soon as he sees a racing car. When my husband is at the race track, I stay in the company. Someone has to keep the business going when Axel is 'playing' with the boys." 

The 2023 Nürburgring motorsport season starts for W&S Motorsport on 18 March. The weekend before, the first laps will be completed at the NLS test and set-up runs. The annual highlight in the Green Hell, in the form of the 51st ADAC TotalEnergies 24h Nürburgring, will take place from 18 to 21 May 2023 and hundreds of thousands of fans will once again make the pilgrimage to the Eifel to witness the toughest endurance race in the world twice around the clock.