Hill climb/rally: Giving up is not an option 🎥
ORGANIZERS HOPE The SM calendar 2021 is affected by further cancellations. But the Rallye du Chablais will probably take place at the end of May. And not only in Oberhallau there should somehow be a mountain race. The trailer of 2020, which is also suitable for the upcoming race, nourishes the hope that the Rallye du Chablais, which has quite a few predicates, will take place at the end of [...]
The 2020 trailer, which is also suitable for the upcoming race, nourishes the hope that the Rallye du Chablais, which has a number of predicates, can take place in picturesque surroundings at the end of May.
The organizers from Vaud, with the indefatigable Eric Jordan at the helm, are sticking to staging the Rallye du Chablais from May 27 to 29, despite the enormous difficulties involved.
End of a long forced break
Preparations are also in full swing, also a full field of participants from Switzerland and abroad is expected. The 17th edition of the "Chablais" counts to all Swiss championship rankings, also to various international series including the historic vehicles.
The realization is therefore undoubtedly also an economic and promotional factor for an entire region. For more than a year and a half (Rallye International du Valais from mid-October 2019), this will be the first competition of this kind on Swiss soil.
Unfortunately, spectators are actually excluded, which is certainly rigorously enforced at the rally center in Aigle. Along the special stages, however, this should be more difficult...
Cancellation of the first four hill climbs
Things are looking less good at the moment for the national hill climbs, apart from the historic events in Arosa and on the Bernina Pass, which will already be held in 2020 despite Corona.
After Reitnau, Hemberg and La Roche-La Berra, the Ayent-Anzère hill climb scheduled for July 24/25 will also be cancelled and the 45th staging postponed until 2022. This is official as of today.
Combative Klettgauer
After all, the people of Schaffhausen are signaling that the Oberhallau hill climb should definitely go ahead at the end of August.
Sascha Schlatter, Verein Bergrennen Oberhallau: "In an extreme emergency and if financially feasible without spectators. But we will do everything in our power so that it does not come so far!"
At the moment, all eventualities are being calculated, since with fewer or no spectators, some costs will also be eliminated. It is also crucial how far the loyal sponsors will stick by the VBO with or without spectators - because without them, it would not be possible in any case, emphasizes Schlatter.
Announcement soon online
As in the years before Covid-19, the tender for the drivers will be published soon and the recruitment of the marshals will start. The final decision on the implementation will be postponed as long as possible.
Oberhallau would also count towards the German KW Mountain Cup, which started in April with two sprints on the circuits of Hockenheim and Oschersleben. The German mountain specialists are therefore in a similar position to their Swiss colleagues, who still have at least a few slaloms on the schedule as an alternative from July.
Jurassians hope for broad support
In wait-and-see position are also the people of Jura, who would start the season of Swiss hillclimb races on August 14/15 after the cancellation of Ayent-Anzère. There is no lack of will, as the president of the ASA St-Ursanne-Les Rangiers emphasizes to AutoSprintCH.
Jean-Claude Salomon: "We are doing everything we can to ensure that the race is not cancelled again, because otherwise this could inspire the opponents of motorsport. The problem is financing. We hope for the support of our partners, even if we are likely to allow few or no spectators, also we count on the canton and the federal government."
Because the status of an EM run is associated with additional costs, this predicate is also uncertain. Still in May, according to Salomon, a decision is to be made about the implementation.
A spark of hope remains
After that, before and after Oberhallau, there remained the mountain races in Massongex (decision by the end of May), at Gurnigel and in Les Paccots. These organizers are also still taking their time.
So long also rests the hope that through further relaxations by the federal government regarding outdoor events with an audience, there may yet be a Swiss mini-racing season in 2021 on the mountain.
