As we all know, an industrial site is not the perfect setting for a classic car event. Nevertheless, Emil Frey AG succeeds year after year in bringing together interesting vehicles and enthusiastic spectators to share the joy of old metal.
For the 25th time
Every year on the first Saturday in September, the engines in Safenwil roar with excitement. For the 25th time, the cars lined up at the start on September 3, 2016 to take on the winding and therefore certainly not particularly fast circuit.
Many rarities have been there over the past 25 years, such as the Jaguar C-Type with legendary Jaguar test driver Norman Dewis at the wheel or the Alfa Romeo vehicles from the museum in Varese.
Returning visitors may remember the Ford Model T, which lost a wheel in one of the tight bends and had to be transported off the track with some difficulty. Others may remember the coughing fit of track announcer Daniel Mauerhofer, who had forgotten to switch off the microphone.
The starting point for the Oldtimer Grand Prix was a request from an oldtimer club almost three decades ago asking whether a European meeting could be organized on the industrial site of Emil Frey AG.
The result was a recurring event that also included motorcycles from the outset and has since provided countless clubs, such as the Lancia Club Switzerland or the MG Car Club Switzerland, with a stage to showcase their beautiful old vehicles.
As always
The structure and organization of the event have proven themselves over the years. A dozen or so fields of 10 to 20 cars or motorcycles drive around the Grand Prix circuit for five laps, followed by the next field. For photographers, the five laps are often far too short, but for the public, this offers the opportunity to enjoy well over 100 vehicles in motion and with an authentic soundscape within around two hours.
After the rides, cars and motorcycles return to the paddock, where they can be viewed up close without restrictions. Food and drink stands will be set up to cater for the physical well-being of the participants and, of course, there will also be an opportunity to sample the products of the Emil Frey companies and supporting companies, as the organizers and sponsors involved are not entirely altruistic.
Perfect weather conditions
Once again, Ursula Heiniger and her organization team were lucky with the weather, the sun was only slightly veiled and the temperatures were pleasant without overheating the engines.
Guests Peugeot Amicale and MG Rover Club
As every year, guest clubs were invited to the 25th Grand Prix, giving their club members the opportunity to present their cars in two fields. The Peugeot friends were particularly eye-catching with their limousines from the sixties.
Fiat-Abarth vehicles were also well represented, with Fiat 600 and 850 derivatives as well as the thoroughbred 1000 Bialbero racing car.
Of course, British classics were particularly present, as the Emil Frey Group has been importing cars from the island for many decades. But Japanese cars such as a Toyota Corolla, Suzuki LJ80 and Subaru 1600 also made the five-lap drive.
A one-off from France
The Ariès S5 C from 1912, which presented itself from its best side in Safenwil - in other words with open engine covers - was certainly something special. It is rare to come across such an appetizingly presented engine compartment.
The 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine produced 25 hp at the time. The open-top car was capable of speeds of 75 km/h and could only be brought to a halt using the rear brakes. According to the owner, the car shown is the only remaining vehicle of its kind in the world.
The Ariès brand produced world-renowned cars between 1903 and 1938 and even took part in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the 1920s, finishing sixth overall in 1925. Over the course of 35 years, Baron Charles Petiet and his 95 employees built almost everything from small single-cylinder cars to luxury cars with a displacement of 12 liters.
Better in the morning?
The visitors who only arrived in the middle of the afternoon were perhaps a little surprised, as the vehicle fields had already been greatly reduced before the last tour, and many participants set off home early. This is actually a shame, because the weather held out until the evening without any problems, the track announcer didn't get tired, but the late guests missed out on a number of classics. The lesson learned is probably to get up earlier next time or to postpone the weekly shopping to another day. In any case, you can already make a note of the date: September 2, 2017.
