Rally-SM: Ivan Ballinari champion without a fight
NSK DECISION WITH CONSEQUENCES The Rally Ticino 2019 held in mid-September will be downgraded in the points allocation. This has consequences for the Swiss Championship, in which Ivan Ballinari can no longer be caught up. Last year, the Rally del Ticino around Lugano still covered 52.48 test kilometers. Thus it was anchored in the regulations as a type 3 rally. The winner [...]
Last year, the Rally del Ticino around Lugano covered 52.48 kilometers. This meant that it was anchored in the regulations as a Type 3 rally. The winner therefore received 17 points, plus a further eight for first place in the class, giving a total of 25.
Too short course in Ticino
This year, the "Ticino" will no longer be rated in this way. This was decided by the office of the National Sports Commission (NSK) on July 22. It is still considered a Type 3 rally because it will be held over two days on September 13 and 14. However, because the fifth SM round this year only covers 48.72 timed kilometers, it will be classified as a Type 4 rally when the championship points are awarded.
Solomon as the only title opponent
This decision has consequences for the title. Without this change, Jean-Marc Salomon would have been the only remaining competitor to catch the current leader Ivan Ballinari. To do so, the man from the Jura would have had to win the two remaining rallies in Ticino and Valais (October 16-19). At the same time, "Bally" would not have been allowed to score more than four points.
Decisive strike result
With the decision on July 22, Salomon no longer has any mathematical chances. The all-rounder could still collect 42 points in Valais, but for a victory in the "Ticino" he will only get a maximum of 15 points (instead of 25 as before). Because only five (of six) results are counted over the entire season and Salomon has so far always scored more points than are available in Ticino, his possible victory would be counted as a strike result.
Second championship title for Ballinari
Jean-Marc Salomon, currently on 86 points, would therefore ideally score 128 points with a victory in Valais (+42). Ballinari has already secured 129.5 points with his Skoda Fabia R5.
The Ticino native has thus been crowned Swiss Rally Champion for the second time since 2018. Congratulations!
