Victory and record for Christian Merli at Ecce Homo

Victory and a new track record for Christian Merli in his Osella FA 30 Judd LRM at Ecce Homo in the Czech Republic. The fourth round of the European championship brings the fourth consecutive win for the champion from Trentino, who has dominated in France, Portugal, Spain and now the Czech Republic. Six out of six really, because he has also conquered the top step of the podium at Costo and Sarnano this year. But let us return to Europe and to the 41st edition of the race near Sternberk north of Brno in the Czech Republic. Merli shaves 0”086 off the track record, which he had been holding himself.

Four wins in a row for Merli
“I’m very happy, even if the rain deprived us of the second practice run on Saturday. I was going to make some changes but couldn’t. We worked on our Osella after finishing first in the first race heat on Sunday, and we secured the top rank and improved on our record from last year. It’s a race I love, very fast and with a fantastic crowd. The next round of the European championship will be the Trento – Bondone, our local hill.”

Practice
In the first practice session on the 7.800 km track on Saturday it is Merli who sets the pace. He is followed by the two local heros, Trnka (Norma M20 FC, 6”71 behind) and Beneš (Osella FA 30, 10”76 behind). In the second practice run, the last few starters are hit by a torrential downpour. Christian, on slicks, decides not to risk anything. “It would have been enough to wait ten minutes, because the sun came out immediately. But they made us start anyway, even though they knew we were on slicks.” The timesheet is topped by Trnka and by Iraola Lanzagorta from Spain, who had both raced in the dry.

The race
In the sunny first race heat on Sunday, the Vimotorsport driver sees the clock stop on 2’41”06, with Trnka 4”41 behind and Iraola Lanzagorta 8”26 behind. In the second race run in the afternoon the champion from Trentino finds yet more speed and comes in first, improving his own track record by 0”086, with Trnka and Hin (Germany, Osella PA 30) following.

The podium
1st Merli (Osella FA 30 Judd LRM), 2nd Trnka (Norma M20 FC) 9”14 behind, 3rd Hin (Osella PA 30) 22”526 behind.

The European Hill Climb Championship calendar
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