Christian Merli no. 1 in Portugal
Christian Merli wins the 41st Rampa Internacional da Falperra near Braga in northern Portugal, the second round of the European Hill Climb Championship. The Scuderia Vimotorsport driver dominates the three race runs at the wheel of his Osella FA 30 Judd LRM. So far he has taken part in the Salita del Costo, the European championship round in France, the Trofeo Scarfiotti at Sarnano, and the race in Portugal. Four races and as many wins.
Christian’s comments
“A great race in summer weather. A few complications, because the paddock was located at the finish and this considerably reduced the time available for working on the car. In the second practice run on Saturday I touched a guardrail, which forced me to scale down my performance. But still a great result, an excellent time against tough opponents. We’re happy for Alexander Hin, racing for the second time with the Osella which we look after. A beautiful success in front of an estimated 75,000 spectators on Saturday and again on Sunday. We’re now going to Spain for the 3rd round of the European championship, the 50th Subida al Fito north of Oviedo next weekend. I dedicate this victory to my mother.”
Practice
In the first official practice run on the 5.200 km track on Saturday, under a hot sun, Merli immediately takes the lead, 5”527 ahead of the Czech Trnka (Norma M20 FC) and 6”120 of the Spaniard Iraola Lanzagorta (Nova NP 01). In the second practice session Trnka is first; Merli finishes in 12th place, having touched the guardrail. In the third run Christian is fastest, followed by Sébastien Petit (Nova NP 01), 5”309 behind, and the German Alexander Hin (Osella FA 30), 5”549 behind.
The race
Three race runs on Sunday, with the two best results retained. In the summer weather, the stands are full with people. In the first race run, Christian is first overall, followed by Trnka and Hin. In the second heat, the driver from Trentino slides a few metres before the finish line but still clocks the fastest time in 1’47”429. Trnka is 2”930 behind and Iraola Lanzagorta 4”860. In the third race run at the end of the day, the champion from Trentino conquers the top step of the podium, with Trnka taking silver and Hin bronze.
The podium
1st Merli (Osella FA 30 Judd LRM) in 3’34”505, 2nd Trnka (Norma M20 FC) 6”375 behind, 3rd Hin (Osella FA 30) 6”891 behind.
The European Hill Climb Championship calendar
8 May: 41st Rampa Internacional da Falperra (Portugal), 15 May: 50th Subida al Fito (Spain), 29 May: 41st Ecce Homo Sternberk (Czech Republic), 3 July: 71st Trento – Bondone (Italy), 31 July: 13th Hill Climb Limanowa (Poland), 21 August: 77th Course de Côte de Saint Ursanne (Switzerland), 4 September: 28th GHD Ilirska Bistrica (Slovenia), 18 September: 41st Buzetski Dani (Croatia).
Ruth Scheithauer