Christian Merli racing at Saint-Ursanne in Switzerland

Scuderia Vimotorsport driver Christian Merli is travelling to Switzerland to race his Osella FA 30 Judd LRM at the 79th Course de Côte de Saint-Ursanne, near the French border west of Basel, on Sunday. It is the eighth of ten European championship rounds.

Interview
“A very fast race race, where we won in 2022 establishing a new record in 1’39”201. We also conquered the top step of the podium last year. Improving the record will be impossible, because we now have 30 kilos of ballast more and 30 hp less. The track starts in the middle of the little town and 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 demanding mixed section in the forest, and before the finish there is 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. We now have to deliver and think of the championship, avoid any errors and collect points.”

The 2024 European Hill Climb Championship calendar
28 April: Rechbergrennen (Austria), 12 May: 52nd Subida al Fito (Spain), 19 May: 43rd Rampa Internacional da Falperra (Portugal), 2 June: 43rd Ecce Homo Sternberk (Czech Republic), 16 June: 26th Int. ADAC Glasbachrennen (Germany) 14 July: 53rd Trofeo Vallecamonica (Italy), 28 July: 15th Hill Climb Limanowa (Poland), 18 August: 79th Course de Côte de Saint-Ursanne (Switzerland), 1 September: 30th GHD Ilirska Bistrica (Slovenia), 15 September: 43rd Buzetski dani (Croatia).

Translation by Ruth Scheithauer