Thomas Schmid: The double master 🎥
TWO SM-TITLES Champion in the Mountain-SM Junior and in the Rally-SM Junior in the same year - Thomas Schmid from Eastern Switzerland achieved something unique. Even before the start of the season, both championship titles were Thomas Schmid's ambitious goal, the one in Rally Junior the primary one. At the same time, the 23-year-old also seized the opportunity of a successful participation in the Berg-SM Junior [...]
Even before the season began, both championship titles were Thomas Schmid's ambitious goal, the one in the Junior Rally the primary one. At the same time, the 23-year-old also seized the opportunity of a successful participation in the Berg-SM Junior - with the ulterior motive of being able to achieve something unique.
No driver has managed two titles in racing series with the official ASS predicate Swiss Championship in the same season in the last decades. Well understood in two different disciplines and with two completely different vehicles.
Third championship title in three disciplines
The man from Jonschwil in the canton of St. Gallen in eastern Switzerland has achieved this in his third year of rallying at the wheel of a Peugeot 208 R2. He already secured the Berg-SM Junior on September 9 at the Gurnigel in a Toyota GT86. Before that, he was Swiss champion in the touring car category in autocross in 2015.
This performance is most comparable to Martin Bürki, who won the Swiss Slalom Championship and the Swiss Mountain Cup in 2014, 2015 and 2018. However, the Berg-Pokal does not have an SM predicate, and Bürki also contested all races with the same car (VW Polo 1600 E1). Christian Balmer was Swiss champion in the mountain in 2007 and in the slalom in 2008, both times with his Tatuus-Honda FM.
Michellod accident cleared the way
When Jonathan Michellod flew his Peugeot 208 R2 into the trees in the Valais on Saturday's first SS because the rear end suddenly broke free when braking on a bump, Schmid's title win was certain. Before that, he was 30.4 seconds behind.
Schmid received an admonition from his coaches Marcel Peter and Erwin Keller, who were among the best German-speaking Swiss rally drivers before the turn of the millennium, before the second stage. He should not put all his eggs in one basket in order to make up for the loss of time as quickly as possible, but continue a fast and safe rhythm and wait and see.
Thomas Schmid: "It wasn't an easy race for us until then. I don't know if I would have caught up with Jo."
The question became moot after Michellod's failure.
Important victory at the Rallye du Chablais
Thomas Schmid won the Pays du Gier, Chablais and Valais rallies in 2018. Michellod only won the Critérium Jurassien after Schmid's engine failure.
Because his previous co-driver Cornel Frigoli could not and did not want to take part in all the races, he was only available in the Jura and Chablais. With Quentin Marchand as an "emergency solution" it worked out so well at the season opener, whereupon he also stepped in as co-driver in Ticino and Valais.
Both therefore have a share in the success. But which was the most important victory for the driver?
Thomas Schmid: "Chablais. After the engine failure in Jura, it was unclear whether I would find the budget for the further rallies. This victory was then a relief. I had good chances again in the title fight. This gave the impetus to continue the rally season."
A montage of some of Schmid's scenes at the Rallye du Chablais is shown in this short video:
https://www.facebook.com/1691844477721538/videos/2088959778010004
The first champion from German-speaking Switzerland in 14 years
The last title holder in Swiss rallying was Patrick Heintz. The Zurich native won the 2004 Rally Championship on a Subaru Impreza and the Coupe VHC in 2009 on a Ford Escort.
Thomas Schmid: "Therefore, this title has a bit more value for me than the Berg-SM Junior. On the mountain, I knew I had to be fast because of my rally experience. In the rallies, this was more difficult, also because of the financial situation. Therefore, I thank my sponsors, without whom such a season would never have been possible."
Free Renault entry at the Rallye du Valais 2019
Thomas Schmid does not yet have any concrete plans for 2019. These depend primarily on the continued commitment of his sponsors, and he also recently began a three-year course of study as a civil engineer.
At least one next year's rally entry is already certain. Winning the Rallye-SM Junior title means a free start at the 2019 Rallye du Valais as an official Renault driver with a Clio IV R3T.
This prize is donated by Renault Suisse and Michelin. A generous gesture, considering that the fastest juniors have been achieving their successes on other makes for years.
