Around 20,000 visitors came to the track around the Grand Prix Suisse Berne Memorial on Sunday, August 26, 2018. In ideal weather conditions with bright sunshine, visitors of all ages and from many parts of Switzerland came to the closed-off circuit between the "Westside" shopping center, Frauenkappelen and Riedbach in the west of Bern.
The focus was not on speed
For the drivers of the 250 historic racing and sports cars, the rural setting on the outskirts of Bern offered a unique opportunity to race their vehicles on home soil rather than on a foreign racetrack. Designed as a show drive, the focus was not on speed, but quite simply on the historic vehicles in all their elegance and diversity, both visually and acoustically. During five runs, visitors were treated to a live demonstration of an important part of mobility and sporting history, which delighted children and grandparents alike.
Celebrities at the wheel
Fans of modern motorsport, especially endurance racing, had their sights set on two vehicles in particular: Neel Jani, who took overall victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Porsche in 2016, was also at the wheel of a Porsche in Bern. Organized especially from Germany, he drove a Porsche 550 Spyder.
No less well-known in Switzerland is Marcel Fässler, former DTM driver and three-time winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, all for Audi. Time and again, Marcel can be found at historic motorsport events (e.g. Arosa ClassicCar, Altbüron hill climb, Indianapolis in Oerlikon), including the Grand Prix Suisse. Of course, he remained true to "his" brand and drove an Audi 200 quattro Trans-Am from 1988. However, the 510 hp car only lasted two laps, and on his "third" lap he was seen on a tow truck with part of the front end missing. We have not yet been able to find out exactly what happened.
Audi Sport Quattro as guest of honor
The first Audi Sport quattro was presented 40 years ago. This anniversary was also celebrated in Bern, with a 32-strong "Sport quattro" group doing its laps in the still somewhat chilly morning. At the head of the field was Marcel Fässler in the 200 quattro Trans-Am, which was used in American motorsport in 1988 and was incidentally the first Audi works racing car for circuits since the 1930s. These were joined by the somewhat better-known rally versions, which were driven by Walter Röhrl and Michèle Mouton, among others. However, the many road-going Quattro models, which were available in all the color variations of the time, were impressive.
But things got really loud when the Audi Sport quattro S1 Pikes Peak from 1987 approached. With oversized front and rear spoilers, it roared past the spectators with the typical Quattro sound.
Monteverdi dominant
Monteverdi is one of the rarer car brands in the world. Fans of this brand must have been delighted by its presence at the GP Suisse Berne Memorial. No fewer than three road-going Monteverdi cars took part in the sports and touring cars.
There was even a rare Formula 1 Monteverdi in the racing car group. We captured the special formula racing car from all angles (see photo gallery racing cars up to 1988).
Lots of Jaguar in the second sports car category
The second sports and touring car category for cars built up to 1965 was dominated by a number of Jaguar models.
However, the convoy of early MG models also caught the eye. The sight of the many MG TCs was truly unique.
From Ferrari Formula 1 to Abarth prototypes
The category for post-war racing cars offered spectators a very wide range of vehicles. From formula cars and prototypes to two-seater sports cars trimmed for racing, this group included pretty much everything that is fast.
The spectators enjoyed the much louder engine sound and the resulting faster speed of the vehicles.
Complete with only the pre-war racing cars
A broad-based historic motorsport event is only complete if racing cars from the period before the Second World War also take part. Almost 60 pre-war vehicles were at the start of the GP Suisse Berne Memorial. The special shapes did the idyllic track justice and probably enchanted many spectators back to the really early decades of motorsport.
Even though every racing car in this category has its own special features, it was impossible not to notice how many spectators gathered around the Type C from Auto Union.
Advantages of demo drives
While in real timed races the historic vehicles are driven at the limit and therefore the highest safety requirements must be applied, somewhat less stringent rules apply to demo runs. Of course, the safety of drivers and spectators is still the main focus, but there are a few differences that are welcome in such demo runs: Riders do not necessarily have to ride with ISO-certified helmets; contemporary headgear may also be worn.
In addition, spectators were allowed to stand much closer to the track than is usually the case at historic races such as the Nürburgring.
Motorcycles and airplanes
The 4-wheeled vehicles were joined by 80 motorcycles including three-wheelers and sidecar teams, and even in the air the organizer organized historic motorized vehicles that entertained the spectators during the lunch break.
Accident-free and smooth execution
A pleasing final balance can also be drawn in terms of safety. Not a single
accident was recorded, which was not least thanks to the good discipline of the spectators and all participants involved.
Living culture and added value for everyone
The success of the Grand Prix Suisse Berne Memorial is proof that living automotive history and culture find their audience. For motorsport, and in particular for the status of motor racing in Switzerland, this event is particularly valuable and absolutely unique in its kind.
The next GP Suisse Berne Memorial in 2021
The city of Bern has recognized that it has a unique selling point with this event and wants to preserve it in the future. The official fourth Memorial is therefore planned for 2021. The vehicles were all driven home safely, but will certainly return to Bern...
