Motorsport: Rikli Motorsport before the start of the season
Rikli Motorsport has already won the first race of the year - the one against the clock. Last Tuesday afternoon, the two new Honda Civic TCRs were handed over to JAS-Motorsport in Italy and a short test drive was on the agenda. This was followed by overnight transportation from Milan to Wangen an der Aare, where Peter Rikli and Kris Richard [...]
And it continued at this pace: then off to the south of France, where the European Touring Car Cup (FIA ETCC) kicks off this weekend in Le Castellet. Not ideal preparation, but still no reason to panic. On the contrary: team leader Peter Rikli is looking forward to the new adventure with confidence: "We are receiving full support from JAS-Honda, with two engine engineers already waiting for us in France. In the European Championship, the TCR cars are allowed to develop more power, so the JAS people will react immediately by intervening in the electronics if the Seat Leon is too fast."
Switching to turbopower is a new experience
While the ETCC is new territory for Richard, Peter Rikli is an old hand here. He has won several races with the specially developed Civic S2000 and was runner-up in 2013 and 2015. However, the switch from the two-liter naturally aspirated engine to the turbo is a big change for the veteran: "I have to change my driving style. In the S2000 car, I was able to control the throttle to counteract understeer in corners. When I take my foot off the gas with the turbo, it's like an emergency brake."
A start in the WTCC beckons as a bonus for points
Both will have to learn quickly. The competition in the new top category of the ETCC is very strong with eleven TCR cars. If the Rikli drivers are lagging behind, it is more down to them than the material. Peter Rikli: "We clearly want to win. With cars like this, there are no more excuses." A guest start in the 2017 WTCC beckons for the champion - for him, this would be the fulfillment of his greatest dream.
www.fiaetcc.com
www.rikli-motorsport.ch
Photos: Peter Wyss
