Race 2020: Nothing goes until the end of August
SEASON BACHAB The 2020 Swiss slalom and mountain championships are threatened with cancellation before they have even begun. Sports events with more than 1000 people are not allowed before September. As a result, more races have been canceled. Although the Federal Council relaxes the restrictive measures to contain the coronavirus in a second step from 11 May. Events with [...]
Although the Federal Council is easing the restrictive measures to contain the coronavirus in a second step from May 11. However, events with more than 1000 people are still not allowed from then until the end of August.
No Swiss European Mountain Championship race this year
This now has further concrete consequences for Swiss motor racing. The hillclimb races of Ayent-Anzère (July 25/26), St. Ursanne-Les Rangiers (August 15/16) and Oberhallau (August 29/30) could not even be held without spectators.
Alone all participants with one accompanying person each, the members of the organization, all required officials make up a larger number, unless the contingent would be limited to the absolute minimum. However, all organizers are dependent on spectator income.
The Jura automobile sports association ASA St-Ursanne - Les Rangiers therefore decided on Tuesday to cancel this year's race. On Wednesday, following the press conference of the Federal Council, the people of Valais followed their example, on Friday the people of Schaffhausen.
Goodbye: The finish curves in Anzère will not be traversed at a brisk pace again until July 2021.
Uncertain easing in September
The Châtel-St-Denis-Les Paccots hill climb on the third weekend of September has also been cancelled. The people of Fribourg consider the risk too great that they will be able to hold their event with sufficient personnel and participants even if the measures are relaxed.
This leaves only the mountain race on the Gurnigel (September 11/12). However, as reported, the Bernese will not risk any financial loss due to restrictions on the number of visitors allowed. Since a decision on large events with more than 1000 spectators is not to be expected before mid-August, the situation is also critical for the Gurnigel race.
Last slaloms also questionable
Even for slalom racing, a thousand people without spectators is a critical upper limit. Therefore, the organizer of Romont (June 20/21) has postponed its 50th staging and Chamblon (June 27/28) its 40th until 2021.
The only two slaloms would take place again at the end of September in Romont (Slalom Drognens) and in mid-October in Ambri. As usual in Romont and Chamblon, spectators would have free entry there as well. But since there will now probably be too few licensees = participants, their realization is also questionable.
What does Auto Sport Schweiz decide?
Auto Sport Schweiz as the umbrella organization will soon have to make a decision and communicate it. Because the drivers are waiting for it. According to the regulations, championship status can no longer be awarded, even if there would still be a few races with or without spectators in the fall of 2020 in the best case scenario.
So the fans of Swiss motorsports will still have to make do with videos of past races.
2021 again a mountain race to La Berra
Instead, they can already look forward to 2021: La Roche-La Berra in the Gruyère region is set to return to the mountain racing calendar on June 5/6 next year. The last time it was held was in 2015. If it actually takes place, it will probably be the start of the season, as Hemberg is scheduled two and Reitnau three weeks later.
