Motorsport: Favorites win in Oberhallau
Despite strong resistance from Marcel Steiner, Eric Berguerand retained the upper hand at the hill climb in Oberhallau and is now well on his way to the championship title. In the touring cars, Reto Meisel took the top spot in the standings with a record victory. One week after the European Championship race in Jura, which was affected by weather and accidents, the hillclimb race in Oberhallau went off in the best conditions [...]
One week after the European Championship race in Jura, which was affected by weather and accidents, the hill climb in Oberhallau took place in the best conditions and with only harmless slips. With Joël Volluz absent for the rest of the season, Eric Berguerand is the lone title favorite. However, on the three-kilometer track in Schaffhausen's Klettgau region, the Valais native initially came under pressure from Marcel Steiner in the LobArt sports car, who secured the first fastest time in the race. Eric Berguerand, however, experimented with Michelin tires, which did not give him the feeling in the Lola-Cosworth that he was used to from Avon mountain racing tires.
Early fourth championship title for Eric Berguerand?
While Marcel Steiner did not manage an optimal second run, the defending champion was able to improve slightly. He thus took over the top of the ranking list, which he did not relinquish after the third run. Simon Hugentobler was almost as fast as the leader duo with his Reynard. He secured third place ahead of two-lap winner Christian Balmer in his Tatuus-Honda. With another victory at Gurnigel (September 11), Eric Berguerand can secure his fourth championship title in a row ahead of schedule.
First a record drive, then an accident by Reto Meisel
In the second run, Reto Meisel undercut all existing touring car records with the sixth-fastest overall time in the field of 220 cars. This meant that the man from Aargau was already the winner after adding up two of the three run times, ahead of Roger Schnellmann (Mitsubishi) and Romeo Nüssli (Ford Escort), who in turn fought a thrilling duel for second place. While trying to be even faster at the end, Reto Meisel went slightly off the track and damaged the Mercedes SLK 340. He has to repair the home-made car until Gurnigel, because he has to score good points again there to keep InterSwiss long-term winner Frédéric Neff at bay in the title fight.
www.bergrennen-oberhallau.ch
Photos: Peter Wyss, Ramon Hänggi
