Klaus Rader, the 63‑year‑old co‑founder of L’Osteria, was killed when his Porsche GT3 RS crashed out of the road during the 550 Challenge Mallorca rally.
Rader’s fatal accident during the Mallorca event
During a mountain pass section between Pollença and Lluc, the Porsche left the asphalt on a steep slope and plunged into a ravine in the Serra de Tramuntana. Rader died at the scene, while his Austrian co‑driver, Christina Ettel, suffered serious spinal injuries.
The incident occurred in the competition class for modern and historic race cars, where drivers file timed runs on completely closed asphalt stages.
Immediate rescue and investigation
Firefighters and recovery teams descended into the rugged terrain to retrieve the occupants. Spanish authorities have begun an investigation, but the exact cause of the crash remains unknown.
Rader’s business and personal life
In 1999, Rader and Friedemann Findeis launched the first L’Osteria restaurant in Nuremberg, expanding the concept into a global chain before selling a majority stake to a U.S. investment firm in 2023. He is survived by wife Viktoria and four children, and the family recently celebrated a second wedding celebration in Mallorca in June 2026.
Organizers halt the rally in solidarity
Following the tragedy on the Pollença–Lluc stage, the 550 Challenge Mallorca organising committee canceled the remainder of the rally and all related activities. A statement declared that no result or classification could outweigh the priority of human life, and the committee extended its condolences to the family and loved ones.
L’Osteria’s tribute to the founder
The restaurant chain issued a heartfelt statement, describing Rader as an “extraordinary personality, an inspiring entrepreneur, companion and great person.” The statement requested privacy for the family during this difficult period.
Rader’s death reverberates across both the motorsport and hospitality worlds, underscoring the inherent risks of rally racing and the sudden impact of a community united by shared respect and solidarity.
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