Slalom Ambri: suspense before the final

As in the last few years, Equipe Bernoise organizes the slalom final in Ambri. It is quite possible that the specialists will still have to mount their rain tires, which were hardly needed in the 2018 season, at the end of the season.

The weather prophets are predicting rather damp conditions for southern Switzerland, but this only makes the event more interesting. Should it remain dry after all, no one has anything against it...

With Martin Bürki, the old and new champion has already been chosen. However, the situation is exciting when it comes to the other medal positions in the Swiss slalom championship.

Three drivers want to become vice champion
With Philip Egli (Dallara/E2-SS-2000), Manuel Santonastaso (BMW 320/IS-2000) and Christoph Zwahlen (Opel Kadett/E1-3000), three drivers are tied for second place in the standings. All of them already have five victories and two second places in their classes to their credit.

Anyone can get to 135 points with another win after deducting the strike result. If he will be ranked only second or worse, then on 130.

Advantage Santonastaso
Our tip: "Santi" will be runner-up. Unlike in previous years, Ambri is no longer part of the Interswiss Trophy, so the strongest IS colleagues from his class stay at home.

The sixth win of the season between the gates lies in store for the fast BMW driver, and because class strength counts in the event of a points tie, the man from Thurgau has the advantage.

Disadvantage for Egli
Philip Egli has only Marcel Maurer in the Formula Renault Midland as an equal class opponent. However, Maurer is in top form in 2018 and, after Drognens, also wants to win in Ambri. Egli therefore needs a strong set of nerves, as Maurer has nothing left to lose and likes rain races.

The task will also be difficult for Christoph Zwahlen, as Hermann Bollhalder with his Opel Speedster Turbo and Martin Oliver Bürki with his BMW M3 E33 (never appeared again since the engine failure in Interlaken) have signed up.

At his comeback in Frauenfeld, however, Zwahlen had both of them under control, Bollhalder afterwards also in Bure, so that the Kadett driver remains the favorite. His chance of third place in the SM is therefore also greater than Egli's because of the strength of the class over the whole year. But everything has to be driven first.

Return from Riva and Geninasca
Provided that Tiziano Riva is not only registered but also appears, he is one of the contenders for the day's victory with his Reynard F3000 alongside Egli and Maurer.

In the touring cars, Sacha Geninasca is entered with a Lancia Delta S4 from Ianniello, with which he won the Berg-SM title in 2007. Also the always strong Porsche drivers Koch, Drack and Ceresa with their GT3 cars.

However, Martin Bürki will have fun trying to beat everyone with the small VW Polo, especially on wet surfaces. He already did this a year ago on the fluid Ticino airfield course in sunshine. Especially since he can go to work without a care in the world with the early title win.

Burkhalter is Abarth champion, duel for OPC title
In the Trofeo Abarth Slalom, the champion has already been decided. Sylvain Burkhalter can no longer be ousted from the top of the Abarth biposto standings after his sixth class win in Drognens.

The Opel OPC Challenge, on the other hand, is still very exciting. René Zogg and Rolf Tremp are separated by only a few points, gross and net (one strike result). Since the Opel drivers still have two races to run on Sunday as part of the SM finale, everything is still open.

If it rains, the nerves will be additionally strained, because in such conditions no one has yet racing experience with the Opel Adam S. Only shortly before 6 p.m., after the last race field of the 2018 slalom season has been shot down, will the last champion be determined.

Not even Formula 1 can be more exciting...

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