Simracing: Aeberhard also wins virtually 🎥
CONVINCED IS CONVINCED Jürg Aeberhard came out on top in the final qualifying session for the Swiss Simracing Series 2020. The Bernese driver also knows how to handle a Porsche GT3 as a real racing driver. He drove hard on the track and concentrated in the simulators. The cover picture shows Bettina Buess at the Racing Center Basel, from where the scenes [...]
The drivers drove hard on the track and concentrated in the simulators. The cover picture shows Bettina Buess at the Racing Center Basel, where the scenes from the highlights were taken.
Jürg Aeberhard's success was already apparent in qualifying. The Bernese driver knows the digital circuit of Mugello - like many other tracks - from his real life as a racing driver. He won the Porsche Sports Cup in Germany a few years ago.
Coach and racing partner in the Porsche Cup Suisse
In the Swiss Porsche Cup, Aeberhard coaches a number of ANTperformance drivers at the races. For example, Porsche newcomer Andy Feigenwinter.
The 33-year-old garage owner from Biglen put the newly acquired 911 GT3 R of last year's Swiss Hillclimb Champion on the front row of the starting grid for the endurance race in Mugello in the summer. He then drove the car from Basel to second place overall.
Controlled victory at the third attempt
In the 20-minute qualifying race, Aeberhard did not show any weakness at home in his simulator. The pole setter skillfully pulled away from the other 22 sim racing competitors.
Dario Apa, who was in 4th place for a long time, started to catch up in the middle of the race. He first caught Roger Schmucki, who was ahead of him, then overtook Francesco Santaguida and closed the gap to Aeberhard. However, the latter cleverly and under control saved his lead to the finish, while Apa was subsequently handed a 10-second time penalty. Nevertheless, it was enough for third place and qualification for the final.
Almost harder than in real racing...
The winner was delighted to have qualified for the final in this way at the third attempt.
Jürg Aeberhard: "I've been simracing as a hobby for a long time, but until now it was more as preparation for the real races. I've also never driven with the software used by Swiss Simracing, so I found it a bit difficult at the beginning. It was certainly an advantage that I knew the real Mugello. But I had to push - it was almost harder than in the real race car..."
Eight more finalists
As a result, Jürg Aeberhard, Francesco Santaguida and Dario Apa in the Standard category and the over-40 riders Andreas Bohny, Marcel Bauchli and Ivo Laubscher qualified for the final, which was contested by 18 riders each.
The two ladies Bettina Buess and Desireé Blumer had to settle for last place in the virtual race in Mugello. However, the ladies, who are also active in Swiss slalom and mountain races, also qualified for the final in their separate category.
Final venue open
Unlike the five qualifying races, which the Simracers were able to compete in either from home or at a racing center, all finalists will start at the same location for the final event on 6 December. The OC will inform the drivers in good time which racing center this will be.
Four circuits on the shortlist
During the last qualifying session, the four race tracks that have been shortlisted for the final were also announced. These are Barcelona (E), Laguna Seca (USA), Monza (I) and Vallelunga (I), which the finalists can now focus on. They will only find out which circuit will be used on the final day.
The champions of the Swiss Simracing Series 2020 will receive prize money that can only be redeemed and paid out in connection with a motorsport activity. In addition, the winners will receive non-cash prizes or exclusive participation in a racing license course.
