Oberhallau: A race without clear favorites
OPEN OUTCOME After almost two years, a National Hill Climb will take place again. In the absence of Eric Berguerand and because of Marcel Steiner's change of car, the starting position in Oberhallau is open. 713 days after the last finish in Les Paccots, the engines will be started again on Saturday morning in Oberhallau for a National Swiss Hill Climb. Major international [...]
713 days after the last finish in Les Paccots, the engines will be started again on Saturday morning in Oberhallau for a Swiss National Hill Climb.
Large international participation
Because the implementation is associated with quite a few restrictions and imponderables, the people of Schaffhausen cannot be thanked enough for their courage and efforts. They do it for the sport and definitely not for the thereby strained club treasury.
Two-fifths of the 200 or so entries received came from drivers from Germany and Austria. But who is the favorite? Not an easy question...
Master Berguerand waits
For the champion, who has been reigning since 2019, the financial outlay for just one race in the current year was too great. In addition, as Eric Berguerand revealed when asked, he wants to wait until the pandemic situation calms down and life returns to normal - and whether he, as a family man, will still be motivated after that...
Steiner switches to his former winning car
So actually Marcel Steiner would move into the role of favorite - if there were not the constant problems with the Honda turbo engine newly installed in the LobArt and developed by Helftec from the canton of Lucerne. At the Osnabrück hill climb last weekend, irreparable piston damage occurred on site as early as the first practice run.
The team pulled out all the stops to get the repair done by Oberhallau. Because this did not work out, it was decided on Wednesday evening to switch to the Martini BMW.
Because the almost 25-year-old CN sports car can run in the same class, this short-term vehicle swap is permitted. In 2004 as well as in the years 2005 to 2008 Marcel Steiner took the day's victory with it - but this year this will be very difficult.
Can Thomas Amweg build on Gurnigel 2019?
Who was the last day winner before Eric Berguerand? Correct, Thomas Amweg in the rain race at Gurnigel 2019. After that, the Lola F3000 provided by Phimmoracing went back to owner Hans Peter.
He only returned to Ammerswil to prepare for Oberhallau. This included a functional test that went well on Tuesday on the Anneau du Rhin in Alsace.
Modest as ever, the now married man from Aargau does not see himself as the favorite, especially since the 3000-meter course in Schaffhausen's Klettgau region does not particularly suit him.
Thomas Amweg: "After such a long time back in the F3000 cockpit, I was already feeling a little sore muscles. It was fun, but I don't expect too much."
Should the race be affected by changeable weather like at Gurnigel almost two years ago, Amweg is definitely to be reckoned with.
Faustini still gives himself time with the Osella
Robin Faustini also keeps the ball flat, although the maiden voyage with the Osella FA30 in Osnabrück was encouraging.
Robin Faustini: "The steering behavior of the Osella is completely different and direct compared to the Reynard F3000. You can also brake much later. I still need time, plus we now have to work on the setup and gear ratios. But I'm incredibly happy to be able to drive an Osella."
Day winner from Germany?
Perhaps the winner of the day in 2021 will also come from abroad? This happened 18 years ago (Hermann Waldy from Austria) for the last time.
Alexander Hin has long since settled on the Osella PA30 acquired from Simon Hugentobler in 2019. He is also ideally equipped with a Zytek LRM engine from Italy. Second place overall in Osnabrück gives the German a boost.
No start for Neel Jani
Unfortunately, one announced attraction is missing. Le Mans winners Neel Jani and Benjamin Hotz were to start in the official competition with two sports prototypes whose engines drive environmentally friendly e-fuel.
The fully synthetic fuel was developed by technical genius Mario Illien, patron Fredy Lienhard and Horag Racing founder Markus Hotz. Because the intended variant is not available in time, this premiere has to be cancelled.
Reto Meisel comeback
One name stands out in the touring car category. Three years after his last Swiss start, Reto Meiselaus Leuggern, the 2016 mountain champion, will be competing in his Mercedes SLK340 at his home race, so to speak. After the accident at the European Mountain Championship round in Spain in May 2019, a major repair was necessary, in the course of which the car received a new design.
In the absence of the Mitsubishi bombers of record holder Ronnie Bratschi (driving at the European Championship round Ilirska Bistrica in Croatia) and vice mountain champion 2019 Roger Schnellmann, Romeo Nüssli (Ford Escort Cosworth), Simon Wüthrich (VW Golf Turbo), Hermann Bollhalder (Opel Speedster) and Bruno Ianniello (Lancia Delta S4) are further contenders for the touring car podium.
Two championship predicates
Apart from the German KW-Berg-Cup (with Bergpokal record winner Martin Bürki in a VW Polo), the Oberhallau hillclimb race is part of the Renault Classic Cup. After two races each at the Hockenheim and Nürburgring as well as the Frauenfeld slalom, the Clio drivers are already holding their sixth race of the season (see rankings here ).
Because Oberhallau is the only mountain race in 2021, there will be no classification for the Swiss mountain championship.
Access only with certificate
If you now feel like traveling to Oberhallau as a spectator, be warned: Admission is only possible with an online available and purchased ticket and a 3G proof (vaccinated, tested or recovered). No tickets can be purchased on site!
Detailed information and further details including the complete starting list can be found on the homepage.
