Renault: Patrick Gerber seizes his chance
DOUBLE WINNER The Renault Classic Cup kicked off the 2019 season with two circuit races in Hockenheim, featuring a new winner in Patrick Gerber. With ten Clios, the season opener of the Renault Classic Cup 2019 at the "Prize of the City of Stuttgart" on the GP circuit of Hockenheim was much better attended than last year. However, the top [...]
With ten Clios, the season opener of the 2019 Renault Classic Cup at the "Prize of the City of Stuttgart" on the GP circuit of Hockenheim was much better attended than last year. However, the top three from 2018 were missing: Champion Denis Wolf is switching to a Formula Renault Caparo and will therefore only be driving slaloms for the time being. Philipp Krebs, the runner-up in the 2019 title, and his friend René Schnidrig, third in 2018, will not be competing in circuit races.
Driving error by Borer
Since the older, lighter and more streamlined Clio IIs are superior to the newer Clio RS IIIs in terms of speed on the straights at Hockenheim, the starting position was exciting. A new winner was in the air if the veterans Daniel Borer and Stephan Zbinden were not able to prevail with their Clio IIIs.
Unfortunately, Borer had to bow out of the action after a switching error in practice with engine damage to his Clio III. And Zbinden rolled out in the first race in the hunt for the expected podium position after a voltage drop.
Patrick Gerber unstoppable
Starting from pole position, Patrick Gerber rushed to his first ever Clio victory in the first race over twelve laps after a third place at the same venue last year had been his best result to date. Despite a spin, newcomer Michael Schläpfer finished 11.5 seconds behind in second place in the former Clio II of multiple champion Thomas Zürcher. Meverick Gerber and Pirmin Scheidegger followed with a respectful gap in their Clio IIIs in the next places.
In the second race, Gerber confirmed his brilliant performance and also hoisted himself to the top of the standings with the outstanding double victory.
Also two double wins for Thomas Zürcher
Thomas Zürcher also managed two class wins with his Clio IV over Marcel Müller, who was also newly enrolled in the Cup. With best times under two minutes, the Bernese was also clearly the fastest Clio driver in the small Swiss field.
Second place in the Clios with naturally aspirated engines went to Primin Scheidegger in the second race run, 14.8 seconds behind Gerber - his best result to date. For Schläpfer, a spin this time also meant retirement.
Zbinden's race against time
Between the two races, the problem with Stephan Zbinden's Clio was identified and fixed with painstaking work right up to the last moment. This would not have been possible without the help of fellow drivers.
Starting from last place on the grid, the fourth-placed driver in the 2018 championship thus still managed to secure the desired podium finish. A small consolation after the unexpected technical misfortune, which should not have happened after a precautionary overhaul of the engine and transmission.
Meverick Gerber had to settle for fourth place in the second race in Zbinden's slipstream. Giuliano Maschietto brought his Clio II home twice in fifth place ahead of Johanna Amann in the Clio III.
Next test in Interlaken
The clear favorite at the Interlaken slalom is the home rider Philipp Krebs in the Clio II. If Patrick Gerber can carry his momentum from Hockenheim, the task will not be so easy for last year's runner-up - nor for René Schnidrig. But winning has never been that easy...
