Mountain/Slalom: Now it's up to the drivers
THERE ARE STILL BEAUTIFUL RACES Despite cancellations by all other organizers, the Oberhallau hill climb is to take place at the end of August, as is the Frauenfeld slalom in July. Soon, however, is the deadline for entries. Last week, first the association Bergrennen Gurnigel cancelled for 2021, one day later the organizer of Massongex followed suit, even though the Valaisians have moved their mountain race to [...]
Last week, the Gurnigel Mountain Race Association cancelled its 2021 event, followed a day later by the organizers of Massongex, although the Valais-based company had actually wanted to go through with its mountain race after postponing the date to August. The planning uncertainty and the financial risks were too great for both, despite the relaxation of the Corona measures.
A few hours until the entry deadline for Frauenfeld
But there are also rays of hope. For example, ACS Thurgau has extended the entry deadline for the Frauenfeld Auto Race Days on July 17-18 to Friday, June 23, at 11:59 pm. The receipt of entries so far is not a cause for concern, but does not yet guarantee that the event will be held.
Because it is a closed event, the income to cover the budget can only be generated by entry fees and not by sponsors or spectator admissions.
Allowed double starts and double runs for brand trophies at a discount price
At short notice, the Thurgauers have therefore decided that, as an exception, multiple starts are also permitted. So at the LOC/REG races on Saturday or Saturday/Sunday. At the National Slalom of Sunday a double start is not allowed for regulatory reasons.
For a second start only 240 instead of 270 francs have to be paid.
In addition, the Abarth Trofeo Slalom, the Suzuki Swiss Racing Cup and the Lotus Cup Suisse will hold a double round on Saturday, almost doubling their number of participants.
The final decision on the implementation, which will be made in the course of the next week, therefore depends solely on the response of the drivers. Finally, Auto Sport Schweiz is also offering half-price licenses from July 1 as a concession.
In addition, after consultation with the canton for all participants and accompanying persons is new NO Covid certificate is no longer required. Beforehand, only the recording of personal data and a corresponding entry control are necessary.
Oberhallau hill climb with audience
Although all other organizers have canceled their national mountain races for 2021 and therefore there can be no mountain championship as in 2020, the association Pro Bergrennen Oberhallau holds on to the traditional event on August 28/29, 2021.
The relaxation of the Corona measures for outdoor events with an audience, announced as of June 28, will allow several thousand spectators on both days of the event, subject to compliance with a protection concept on which the Schaffhausen authorities are working. However, visitors must be vaccinated, recovered or tested for Covid-19.
Drivers tip the scales
Because the people of Klettgau also have the full backing of the municipal and cantonal authorities, this race in 2021 also depends solely on the interest of the drivers.
This is also emphasized by the race director to AutoSprint.
Alex Maag: "Our race will take place 95 percent of the time. There are only a few factors that could still prevent it. In the end, however, it's up to the active participants for whom we put everything in place. It's sobering that many don't appreciate it."
International field of participants to the rescue
The closing date for entries is midnight on June 30. At least 170 competitors are needed, but preferably more, and there are still some missing to this mark.
The salvation at the moment is the German KW Berg Cup. Its season began in the spring with two sprint tests at the Hockenheim and Oschersleben circuits. There, Swiss multi-champion Martin Bürki turned the fastest lap of the day in the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, which had never been raced in Switzerland before.
The KW Berg-Cup holds one of its few races in now almost two years as last in 2019 in Oberhallau.
Opportunity to test under race conditions
So, dear Swiss racers: complaining about a lack of starting opportunities in times of pandemic is no longer appropriate.
Those who don't mind the license fee and the entry fee can practice in Frauenfeld and Oberhallau - and then perhaps also at the slaloms in Drognens, Ambri and Bière - for the 2022 season and the return to normality. After all, no one is under championship pressure this year.
Because you snooze, you rust - which applies to handlebars and the material.
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