Christian Merli racing at Saint-Ursanne in Switzerland

After his victory and record at Osnabrück in Germany, Scuderia Vimotorsport driver Christian Merli is taking his Osella FA 30 Judd LRM to Switzerland to race at the 77th Course de Côte de Saint-Ursanne, near the French border west of Basel. It is the seventh of nine European championship rounds.
The Osella works driver has dominated all the European championship events so far and is leading the standings with 150 points, followed by the Czech driver Trnka (120) and the German Hin (84). He has conquered the top step of the podium in France, Portugal, Spain, the Czech Republic, Italy and Poland.

Merli with Bernd Stegmann and Ruth Scheithauer from the Osnabrück organisation team

Christian, you’re returning to Switzerland after two years
“Quite, but because of Covid this event did not take place for two years, and we’re very happy to go back. It’s a great track, it’s demanding, exciting and has no chicanes.”

The track
“Starting in the middle of the little town, there is immediately a very challenging double bend. Then it gets flatter and there are a couple of straights where you reach 250 km/h. Next a left-hand bend to be taken almost at full throttle underneath a motorway viaduct in a large natural amphitheatre crowded with spectators. Quite a challenging mixed section in the forest, and about one kilometre before the finish line a tricky left-hand bend which tightens up, followed by a right-hand hairpin, a straight stretch of about 100 m, and a left-hand hairpin. Finally another right-hand hairpin before you cross the finish line. The track is 5.180 km long, and there will be three practice heats and two race heats.”

The European Hill Climb Championship calendar
21 August: 77th Course de Côte de Saint Ursanne (Switzerland), 4 September: 28th GHD Ilirska Bistrica (Slovenia), 18 September: 41st Buzetski Dani (Croatia).

Translation by Ruth Scheithauer