Weekend tip: Rallyefest in Valais
RALLYE DU VALAIS From October 18 to 20, the Rallye International du Valais (RIV) will mark the end of the 2018 Swiss Championship. You won't find better rally sport with attractions all around in Switzerland. The 2018 Rallye du Valais is one of several international series below the European Championship and therefore attracts a number of foreign teams. With them [...]
The 2018 Rallye du Valais is one of several international series below the European Championship and is therefore attracting a number of foreign teams. The best Swiss crews will compete with them on a total of 18 special stages (243.8 km) in the two legs on Friday and Saturday.
Circuit in Sion
The rally center is located on the grounds of the Sion barracks. The SS Casernes will also start there at 12.40 pm on both days on a spectacular circuit in front of thousands of spectators.
The supporting program includes the Rallye Motor Show Emotion with an exhibition and demonstration drives (starting at 8 a.m. and 2.30 p.m.) of historic vehicles.
Admission for spectators aged 16 and over costs 15 francs for one day or 25 francs for both days.
Otherwise, access to the other special stages of the Rallye du Valais in the Martigny, Sion and Sierre regions is free. The detailed route map with all special stages and the timetable can be found on the organizer's homepage.
A Ticino native and an eastern Swiss on the hunt for the title
The favorite for the SM title is Ivan Ballinari in the Škoda Fabia R5. If the man from Ticino gets through well, he can celebrate.
In the juniors, Thomas Schmid from St. Gallen and Jo Michellod from Valais will be battling it out. The champion will be whoever finishes ahead of the other, although Schmid has an advantage as the SM leader if Michellod has problems.
In Thursday's preview, we look at the starting position in the battle for overall victory and in the Swiss rally championship.
