Klaus Rader dies in fatal crash at 550 Challenge Mallorca rally
The 63-year-old entrepreneur died when his Porsche plunged into a ravine, prompting organisers to call off the event.
German businessman Klaus Rader, best known as the co-founder of the Italian restaurant chain L’Osteria, died on Friday after his car crashed during the 550 Challenge Mallorca rally.
The 63-year-old was driving a Porsche GT3 RS along the MA-10 mountain highway between Pollença and Lluc when the vehicle went off the road at kilometre 10 and fell into a ravine near Mortitx in the Serra de Tramuntana range.
Emergency services were called to the scene, including a rescue ambulance stationed just 60 metres away, but Rader could not be saved. Firefighters and medical personnel had to climb down into the steep terrain to retrieve the occupants.
Who was involved in the crash
Rader was competing alongside 39-year-old Austrian co-driver Christina Ettel. The pair were running under car number 000, the course test vehicle assigned to inspect the stage ahead of the main field of competitors.
Ettel survived the fall but suffered serious spinal injuries. Spanish authorities confirmed she was taken to hospital, where her injuries were determined not to be life-threatening.
Rader made his name in the hospitality industry, launching L’Osteria in Nuremberg in 1999 alongside business partner Friedemann Findeis. The single restaurant grew into an international chain across Europe known for its large-format pizzas before the founders sold their majority stake to an American investment firm in 2023.
Why the Mallorca rally was cancelled
Organisers of the 550 Challenge Mallorca halted the event immediately after the crash and later confirmed that all remaining stages were cancelled.
"In moments like this, there are no results, rankings, or sporting goals that can surpass the importance of human life and mutual grief," the organisers said in a statement released after the accident. They extended their condolences to Rader's family and friends.
The sixth edition of the three-day rally had started on Thursday in Port Adriano, Calvià, featuring around 50 teams from eight countries competing across 14 scheduled stages.
Guardia Civil officers and local authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash.
Key numbers
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Age of Klaus Rader | 63 | Guardia Civil |
| Age of co-driver Christina Ettel | 39 | Guardia Civil |
| Number of participating teams in the rally | around 50 | Rally organisers |
| Location of crash | MA-10 highway near Mortitx | Guardia Civil |
In this story
| Name | Role in the story |
|---|---|
| Klaus Rader | German businessman and rally driver who died in the crash. |
| 550 Challenge Mallorca | Motorsport rally where the fatal crash occurred. |
