Junior-SM: Schmid a class of his own
DOMINANT WINNER Thomas Schmid didn't give his seven opponents in the Junior Mountain Championship the slightest chance in the Anzère hill climb. However, this also has an advantage for his outclassed colleagues. The podium was the same as in Reitnau. Thomas Schmid's role as favorite was already undisputed before the start of the season and was confirmed with his victory in Reitnau. [...]
Thomas Schmid's role as favorite was already undisputed before the start of the season and confirmed with his victory in Reitnau. In Anzère, however, the 22-year-old from Jonschwil went one better by virtually outclassing his seven class rivals from the 2018 Swiss Race Academy.
In the first race run, he beat Rolf Reding's best time from last year by 2.4 seconds with a time of 2'05.994. Not only was the rally-experienced driver from eastern Switzerland wide awake on Sunday morning, but the Toyota GT86 also delivered its full power in the still relatively cool temperatures.
In addition, the Pirelli road tires work best in this temperature window. But you have to know how to use them...
Even surprised by the record time
While Marcel Wälchli, as in Reitnau, was second fastest and only just over the 2'10 mark in the first run, Schmid managed two more top times of 2'06.7 and 2'07.1 in the second and third runs in the sunshine.
When the two faster times on the 3.5 km course were added together, this resulted in a lead of almost nine seconds. Last year, Reding only managed to outpace his first rival Lukas Eugster by half a second after a tough duel.
Thomas Schmid: "I surprised myself with my first best time. I almost pushed harder in the second and third runs, but I was still slower. The asphalt was probably already too warm for the summer tires."
Showing what is possible
Marcel Wälchli and Sven Indermühle, his first pursuers, capitulated after the training session and ran their own race.
Marcel Wälchli: "Thomas is abnormal. For me, his times are simply unattainable. But even if we don't stand a chance against him, I think it's good. Because it shows what is possible with the car. So I'm quite happy with my result."
Sven Indermühle, who was relegated to third place by Wälchli by just six tenths, has a similar view.
Sven Indermühle: "I tried at first, but Schmid is in a league of his own - no chance. That's why I concentrated on Marcel and Luca (Hodel). My goal is to finish on the podium, so I'm actually satisfied."
Duels in the midfield too
There were also no changes in the next three places compared to the season opener. While Hodel lost almost five seconds to third place on the short course in Reitnau, it was only half as much on the more than twice as long course in Valais.
This was certainly due to the ESP being switched off this time, but certainly also to his driving progress and visibly greater willingness to take risks in the bends. This will awaken his desire for the podium in Oberhallau.
Brian-David Prina and Yves Meier were separated by just 28 thousandths of a second. After wild swerves with subsequent contact, Meier gave up in the second run and was still faster than Prina in the third. So he too will be looking for a better result in the next race in Klettgau, Schaffhausen (August 26).
The only lady is holding her own
Desirée Blumer also improved. Although the only woman in the junior class was once again a lonely seventh, she reduced the percentage gap to the top and midfield. The crew of instructors from the Eventcenter Seelisberg, led by Yves Meyer, likes to see things like this just as much as top performances.
At least Desirée did not finish last again. Fabian Hug's head was still buzzing from the spin in Reitnau that led to his retirement. With this mental brake, he only stroked the gas pedal and voluntarily let the red lantern hang on to him. It remains to be seen whether he will get rid of it after the five-week summer break.
Visit from DTM professional Nico Müller
The highlight for everyone on Saturday was the visit from Nico Müller, who has been a partner of Seelisberg for years and was not only interested in the younger and older mountain juniors.
The DTM professional from Bern would have liked to come to Reitnau. However, the Audi works driver was then preparing for test drives for the already planned outing in the World Rallycross Championship in Riga (Latvia) in mid-September and possibly two weeks earlier in Lohéac (France). He had already raced at both venues in 2017 in the RX team of his Abt Audi teammate from last year, Mathias Ekström.
Nico Müller: "You can take something from everywhere, it was exciting to watch these guys. I take my hat off, because I don't know if I would have let it go uphill in the same way."
We are certain that he would do it if he wanted to...
