Danny Krieg: Return with the Audi A4
COMEBACK IN FRAUENFELD Switzerland's fastest two-liter touring car is back at the Auto-Renntage in Frauenfeld. Danny Krieg will contest a few slaloms with the Audi A4 STW before concentrating on the hill climbs. Three years ago, Danny Krieg had it in his hands to break Martin Bürki's championship streak in slalom racing. Until [...]
Three years ago, Danny Krieg had it in his hands to break Martin Bürki's championship streak in slalom racing. Except for Bière, where he still finished second in his E1-2000 class despite a broken drive shaft on the Audi A4 STW, the man from Schwyz decided all the races in his favor, mostly in touring car best times.
In 2016, Krieg returned the favor by winning the Berg Cup. A goal he had been working towards. After a few slaloms, he was tied with Bürki at the top of the standings. While the Bernese concentrated on defending his title in the slalom championship due to scheduling conflicts with two mountain races, Krieg switched to the mountain, where he ultimately became Bürki's successor as cup winner.
TCR class gets an addition
After one last appearance at the Ambri slalom in October 2016, he put the 300-hp all-wheel-drive super touring car once driven by factory driver Emanuele Pirro in the garage. Krieg then contested last season with a Porsche GT3, which he has since sold to Christoph Zwahlen, who in turn is now waiting for a buyer.
The man from Thurgau, who is also making a comeback in Frauenfeld, also looked after the Audi A4 STW in his garage in Pfyn. Now Danny Krieg is bringing it back to the start of a Swiss race next Sunday for the first time in a year and a half.
Danny Krieg: "I want to practice at the first few slaloms and then decide what I'll do. First of all, I'm looking forward to fighting with the Audi in Frauenfeld with Bürki and Zwahlen for the day's victory in the touring cars."
Hunt for the last E1 records
Although Krieg would have the best chance of winning the slalom title he so narrowly missed out on in 2015 thanks to the strength of the class in E1 to two liters, this is not his main focus at the moment.
On the one hand, he would also like to drive the Seat Leon TCR for a change, with which Reto Steiner is the only participant in Frauenfeld in the TCR class, which will be newly announced from 2018. PS: Six days later in Interlaken, Steiner will then take his place at the wheel with Peter Niederer. He will be joined by a third TCR competitor, Daniel Kammer on a Rikli-Honda.
On the other hand, Krieg is aiming for the last two-liter records with the Audi at the Swiss hill climbs, which are not yet his.
Danny Krieg: "In Oberhallau, it will be difficult to beat Weidinger's BMW record because I'm at a disadvantage there with the heavier Audi on the long acceleration sections. In Paccots, however, I should manage it if it doesn't rain. And I'll leave it open as to whether I'll start at Massongex."
Regardless of whether Danny Krieg succeeds in all this - his return with this former super touring car is an enrichment. How well he already has it back under control will be shown in the next few days at the first two Swiss slaloms.
