Alpine Cup: First podium for Zimmer
THIRD IN NOGARO At the opening race of the Alpine Elf Europa Cup in France, Yann Zimmer captured a third place. For the Vaudois it was the first European race in five years. Yann Zimmer is the only Swiss competitor in the Alpine Elf Europa Cup in 2019. After a few years in the USA, where he competed in NASCAR-sanctioned races, the [...]
Yann Zimmer will be the only Swiss to compete in the Alpine Elf Europa Cup in 2019. After several years in the USA, where he competed in NASCAR-sanctioned races, the 28-year-old from Yverdon-les-Bains is returning to the European race tracks.
For the first of six race weekends, 20 competitors on identical Alpine A110 Cup cars (270 hp, weighing only 1050 kilos) met at the Circuit Paul Armagnac in Nogaro. The two rounds were held as part of the FFSA French Circuit Championship.
Alpine fan
Zimmer's participation is made possible, among others, by the Centre Alpine Valais of Garage du Nord in Conthey VS.
Yann Zimmer: "I've been a fan of Alpine since I was a kid. This concentrated blend of agility and performance, of refinement and engineering, can't be compared to anything with four wheels. To be able to drive it is a dream come true."
There was more in it
Not dreamlike, but quite a good start to the Alpine premiere for Yann Zimmer. After a sixth place in the first race over about 28 minutes, he finished third in the second run on Easter Monday, only 3.7 seconds behind winner Mike Parisy (F).
However, after starting second, the former Formula Renault driver had expected more.
Yann Zimmer: "First I had to avoid my teammate, whereupon I lost second place. Then a colleague pushed me away, which dropped me back to fifth place. And ten minutes before the end, the engine started to overheat. Nevertheless, I still aimed for the podium and moved up to P3 on the last lap. From that point of view I can be satisfied after five years of absence in Europe. More to come at the next race in Hockenheim."
The only Alpine races in Germany will take place on May 25/26.
