Motorsport: Excitement in the OPC Challenge

High-level slalom racing at low cost - that's how you could describe the OPC Challenge organized by the Association of Swiss General Motors Dealers (VSGMH). Up to 40 drivers compete in a race. In 2016, the new Opel Corsa OPC will be raced. Held for the first time ten years ago, the anniversary year is shaping up to be an exciting head-to-head race between Marcel Muzzarelli and Thierry Kilchenmann. The man from eastern Switzerland and his Bernese challenger are tied at the top of the standings after four of the ten rounds. In 2015, they already fought a thrilling duel for the title, which Marcel Muzzarelli won in each case.

Daniel Kammer also shows interest in the title
The fifth race will conclude the first half of the season on Sunday in Romont. While in Frauenfeld it was the fast Opel district leader Fabio Gubitosi who heaved his bolide around the pylons the fastest, Marcel Muzzarelli and Thierry Kilchenmann then took turns in Interlaken, Saanen and Bure with their Corsa C in first place on the ranking list. According to the law of the series, it would be Thierry Kilchenmann's turn again in Romont, but Daniel Kammer, who is lurking in third place, also wants to have a say in the title.

Exciting battle of the fastest Opel teams
The team competition among the various Opel dealers is also exciting. Here, the Bernese Belwag Racing Team with Thierry Kilchenmann and Kammer is still ahead of the Flammer Speed Team from Glarus, which captured the title in 2015. With Fabian Eggenberger and Sandro Fehr, however, the Glarus-based team still has two hot irons in the fire, which the initially leading Opel Suisse Team 1 with Fabio Gubitosi had to take out after three countable results per registered driver. The Garage Metropol team has only entered its spearhead Marcel Muzzarelli in the individual classification and is not yet playing a decisive role with the other drivers in the Team Cup.

www.opc-challenge.ch
Photos: Silvio Romano, Opel