Motorsport: Ronnie Bratschi seeks preliminary decision
A good dozen of the fastest Swiss drivers will be competing in Germany's northernmost hill climb near Osnabrück this weekend. With another victory in Group E1, the 2016 FIA Hillclimb title would be out of Ronnie Bratschi's reach. It is a hill climb of superlatives. Last year, around 28,000 people came to the idyllic area after [...]
It is a hill climb of superlatives. Last year, around 28,000 people came to the idyllic area of Hilter-Borgloh near Osnabrück over the two days to watch the racing action on the Uphöfener Berg. Although mountain sounds a little exaggerated, the race track, which starts at an altitude of 95 meters, only has a difference in altitude of 73 meters. However, with its many blind bends, the track in Lower Saxony is very demanding, so that the wheat is separated from the chaff among the mountain specialists here.
More than 200 drivers from 16 nations are registered for this race, which is part of the FIA International Hill Climb Cup alongside the German Hill Climb Championship. Thanks to the sponsors, the organizing MSC Osnabrück is able to attract many foreigners to take part with entry fee bonuses and travel allowances. This includes the strongest Swiss riders Joël Volluz (1st in 2015), Eric Berguerand (1st in 2014) and Marcel Steiner (1st in 2012). Italian Christian Merli in the works Osella, who is otherwise battling for the European Championship title with European champion Simone Faggioli and will be competing in northern Germany for the first time, will be challenging them for victory on the day. The record is held by another Swiss driver, Julien Docummon, who won in 2013 (51.434).
First FIA E1 Mountain Cup, then Swiss Championship
Ronnie Bratschi has more at stake than trophies and prize money. After first places in Slovakia and Italy and a second place in Slovenia, the driver from Uri is at the top of the FIA E1 Hillclimb Cup table with a 25-point lead - as much as a victory. Last year, after setting the fastest time in practice, he had to retire before the race due to a technical defect in the Egmo-Mitsubishi with over 600 hp. "So I still have a score to settle here. If I win, the first runner-up can at best catch up with me. Then I just have to finish at least in the points in one of the last two races."
Only when Ronnie Bratschi has the FIA Cup in the bag will he set his sights on the second goal: A medal place in the Swiss Touring Car Hillclimb Championship, which he currently leads. Nationally, he is competing for the title with Reto Meisel (who also starts in Osnabrück, but has to drive in the Group E2 silhouette in Germany), Mitsubishi colleague Roger Schnellmann and Frédéric Neff in a Porsche.
www.msc-osnabrueck.com
Photos: Peter Wyss, MSC Osnabrück
