There are exclusive, glamorous and expensive classic car events, but there are also inexpensive and simple events for classic cars, where the entry fee is CHF 180/120, visitors pay just CHF 12 for entry and instead of caviar or beef fillet, you can enjoy a tasty grilled sausage. The cars are parked outside instead of in tents, and the VIP tent is replaced by festival benches and long tables.
The GP Brugger Schachen therefore belongs to the second category, but this did not prevent visitors from making the pilgrimage in large numbers to the velodrome near the small town of Brugg. Even the not entirely rain-free weather couldn't stop the spectators from eagerly watching the action on the 960-meter circuit. They stayed dry anyway, as the grandstands are covered.
For the second time
The GP Brugger Schachen was held for the first time in 2013 , followed by the second edition on June 20, 2015. Tried and tested elements were adopted, while improvements were made. Above all, however, discussions were held with local residents and many tickets were distributed in advance to ensure that noise complaints were kept to a minimum this time. In addition, the program was organized in such a way that the quieter vehicles made their rounds first in the morning from 09:00.
Bad weather forecast with minor consequences
Around 190 vehicles were registered, but the weather was perhaps a little too uncertain for some, so that some of the cars listed in the program stayed away from the event, much to the chagrin of the spectators.
There weren't too many of them, however, and one or two had a replacement car available.
A bit of everything
The vehicles were divided into eight main starting fields
1 - Classic cars and sports cars
2 - Historic sports cars
3 - Racing tricycles/carriages
4 - Motorcycles (solo, part 1)
5 - Racing cars - pre-war
6 - Motorcycles (solo, part 2)
7 - Historic racing cars
8 - Formula and racing sports cars
as well as one additional field each for the FABAM and military corso.
The main fields were called up for three "stints", each lasting 15 minutes and each allowing around five to ten laps to be completed behind a lead car. The speed was adapted to the field and delayed slightly at the start and finish so that the field could merge again.
While some of the first morning rides still had to be completed on a wet track, the asphalt quickly dried out, which, together with the pleasant temperatures, provided the best conditions.
Many of the participants came from the immediate geographical area, but there were also some riders who had traveled further afield.
The field of cars offered the usual mix of road-going sports cars, touring cars and competition vehicles designed for the racetrack. In one day, spectators were able to enjoy a Maserati 250F, several NSU 1200 TTs, a beautiful Porsche 356, a classic Alfa Romeo and a high-displacement Chevrolet Corvette, to name just a few examples. Anyone who hasn't seen a Hillman Minx or Talbot-Sunbeam Lotus for a long time will definitely have had the opportunity to take a closer look while driving or in the paddock.
Friends of old sheet metal of all makes
The classic car friends of the Brugg region, who call themselves "Friends of Old Sheet Metal of All Makes" (FABAM for short), offered an entertaining change of pace. The common goal of this group is to preserve and drive motor vehicles of all kinds.
And they did so twice on June 20, 2015 on the Velorund circuit, and the range of vehicles clearly demonstrated the community's credo of promoting diversity. For example, an Opel P4 joined the slow-moving procession, as did an Auto Union 1000 SP, a Reliant Scimitar SE4 and a Plymouth Fury Hartdop Coupé.
Peaceful with a military parade
If football matches were as peaceful as the Oldtimer GP Brugger Schachen, the press would hardly have anything to write about and hooligans would be consigned to the history books. The event on June 20, 2015, was a pleasant affair, with the military parade featuring several tanks creating the biggest noise spectacle. This warmed the hearts of many older Swiss people, as the passing Condor motorcycle, Willys Jeep or one of the armored vehicles reminded them of their own time at recruit school or on refresher courses.
But even if you haven't experienced it yourself, the almost 40-ton tracked tanks with their engines of up to 30 liters capacity were impressive. And when do you get to stand up close to one of these monsters when it shifts up a gear at around 50 km/h?
Incidentally, the supporters of these vehicles are well organized and will be staging the "7th Convoy to Remember" on 12 to 14 August 2016 with a parade of over 400 classic cars over a distance of around 30 km through the Fricktal.
Looking back, the organization can certainly be proud of the result. The event was tightly and competently organized, there were hardly any irregularities and no major accidents. Participants and spectators were delighted - what more could you want? The next GP Brugger Schachen will take place in two years' time, the recipe has proven itself.
