The two 180 degree banked turns, combined with the two short straights, result in a total track length of 330 meters. The fact that this short "concrete race track", which was actually built for racing bicycles and has only been open to cars and motorcycles once a year for 15 years, is not only a lot of fun for the riders, but also attracts more and more spectators to the open race track in Oerlikon for the cycling events, shows that something big has been created here.
Cars save the velodrome
Cyclists normally ride in front of 2 to 300 die-hard fans at most, but on July 24, 2018, more than 5,000 gathered on the racetrack once again. They were happy to pay an entrance fee of 20 francs to attend this unique spectacle and support the preservation of this historic site. All proceeds go to the open racecourse.
In road traffic, cyclists and motorists rarely share the same stage. But here, common interests arise that are not only useful but also attractive for both sides.
Big brother in the USA
Historically, there are even more similarities: the world-famous oval was opened in Indianapolis (Indiana) in the USA in 1911 and the open cycling track in Oerlikon in August, just one year later. This makes it the oldest sports facility still in operation in Switzerland. Instead of the 9-degree bends of the "noodle pot" Indy, the Oerlikon racetrack has an impressive 44 degrees.
Optimal conditions
This year the weather was perfect, the hot summer evening offered ideal conditions and the alternative date did not have to be used as in 2017, as it is not possible to hold the race in the rain for safety reasons.
Formula 2 stars from back then
The "action" was once again there and with Marc Surer and Fredy Amweg, two very successful and well-known Swiss car racing drivers were also in attendance.
They even drove around the small oval in Formula 2 racing cars with around 300 hp. When Surer (66) climbed out of the 280 hp March 703 from 1973 in his racing overalls from back then, he commented approvingly: "This is a huge spectacle!"
Real Indy cars
A Nash 480 Aeropower equipped with a 120 hp aircraft engine from 1930 started in the group of real Indy racing cars. It was joined by a Buick 3.8l 8 cylinder with 140 hp of the same age.
This car is even allowed on the road in daylight as it stands, i.e. without mudguards, exhaust, indicators and lights, as it was built before 1932.
Successful event
Once again, 74-year-old Georg Kaufmann from Aargau, who drives a Maserati 250F himself, was very pleased with the event. He was delighted with its development. "I just wanted to promote the preservation of the open race track and look what has become of it!"
People were happy to stand in line longer to get a sausage, because they knew that the rush and the resulting turnover could only be seen as positive.
Rarities and specialties
The rarest and probably most valuable vehicle among the 60 or so participants was one of only 5 Ferrari 340 America cars ever built in 1950.
The funniest field was certainly the three-wheelers with various motorcycle combinations, a Morgan Threewheeler and an open FMR Tiger cabin scooter.
Between the motorized fields, bike races took place again and again.
The mix was exciting and attractive. The starting signal for the cyclists and the chimes indicating their last lap were almost as loud as an 8-cylinder Indy engine, so the two parts of the event still have something in common.
Prioritizing safety
To counteract the risk of accidents, the individual fields completed their laps three times, but only for around 3 minutes each (they need 10-12 seconds per lap).
"...otherwise the pilots suddenly become overconfident," said Kaufmann.
It is already clear that the success story will continue in 2019. "I'll keep going until I have to take on electric vehicles...." laughed Georg Kaufmann.
