Berg-SM: The plans of the three champions
SEASON OUTLOOK At a meeting organized by Auto Sport Schweiz, last year's three Swiss mountain champions Marcel Steiner, Frédéric Neff and Thomas Schmid gave their views on their plans for 2019. Even though he would like to drive more abroad - for Marcel Steiner, racing remains a professionally pursued leisure activity. His main task is to manage the garage [...].
Even if he would like to race more abroad - for Marcel Steiner, racing remains a professionally pursued leisure activity. His main task is to manage Garage Steiner in Oberdiessbach, so the Swiss Mountain Championship remains the best field of activity for him for time and financial reasons.
Massively more difficult than before
Before the start of the Swiss season, the Bernese will start with his LobArt-Mugen as every year at the Eschdorf hill climb in Luxembourg (May 4/5), possibly also the weekend before at the Rechbergrennen in Austria, the second round of the European Championship.
In Switzerland, Steiner is setting his sights on a sixth title. But he is aware that he will have to outgrow himself to achieve it.
Marcel Steiner: "It will probably be massively more difficult this year. Eric Berguerand will certainly have the technology of his Lola-Cosworth under control now, and Joël Volluz recently told me that he was ready with his Osella. He recently proved how fast he is again in Les Paccots. We'll go our way with Steiner Motorsport and then see where we stand at the end of the season."
Neff also launches in France
Touring car champion Frédéric Neff is making his title defense dependent on the first few races. Although, as the dominator of the Interswiss group, only the technology on his 500-plus hp Porsche 996 GT3 R (or freak weather) can stop him, he is looking for another challenge.
The Bernjurassier has also entered the French CFM Challenge in the GTTS class. From 2019, he will be allowed to score points here again in the Open category despite having a Swiss license. The mountain champion of the last two years is planning his first start at the end of April in Abreschviller.
Frédéric Neff: "I have some strong opponents there. There are some nice tracks in France. From Moutier, I can reach some of the races in a few hours. Unfortunately, there is some date overlap with the Berg-SM. Depending on how it goes, I'll opt for the French or Swiss races."
Hull program for Thomas Schmid
In addition to his studies as a civil engineer, junior mountain and rally champion Thomas Schmid is once again concentrating on uneven terrain in sporting terms. Having not yet managed to finance a European Championship season in the ERC Junior (his long-term goal is now 2020), he is planning at least two starts in Switzerland.
For winning the Junior Rally title, Renault and Michelin will give the driver from eastern Switzerland an entry in the Clio R3T Alps Trophy at the Rallye du Valais in October. In preparation, Schmid will compete in the Rallye du Chablais with the same car.
Thomas Schmid: "I would have liked to start at the Critérium Jurassien, but the financing was too uncertain. At the Chablais, I can also score points for the FIA Alpine Trophy and thus qualify for the final in Valais."
In this way, the St. Gallen native has another sporting goal in addition to doing well in the Clios, where he has no chance in the championship with only two races to his name.
Season start in Hemberg
The Swiss Mountain Championship starts on June 15/16 in Hemberg, followed by Reitnau on June 30. The rally championship enters its second round on April 13/14 in the Jura (rally center in Saignelégier) and its third round on May 30/June 1 in the Chablais (center in Aigle).
