A race was planned - a real race. A separate speed category for historic sports and racing cars from 1947-1961. Twenty starting places were made available to the Vintage Race Tracks Association by the organizer at the Gurnigel - the most popular hill climb in Switzerland. It was to be an exclusive race in accordance with FIA regulations and the sporting rules of the ASS, a time slot between all the modern touring sports and racing cars, which, as usual, competed in large numbers for points in the Swiss Automobile Championship.
But the racing drivers did not show up. VIRAT and the organizer had to realize that despite intensive publicity at home and abroad, there was no interest in a real race with the highest safety measures. Only a few drivers of powerful historic racing cars still see themselves as racing drivers, obtain a license and apply for the FIA car pass (HTP) - the prerequisite for participating in races. "What's the point," say many, "there's a fun event somewhere in Switzerland or nearby countries almost every weekend." There, anyone can simply drive at the demolition, a simple driver's license is enough. And to drive as fast as you can, which is probably called uniformity.
The safety measures consist of decorative straw bales and colorful plastic ribbons. The spectators stand unprotected on the road! Just like in 1934: "Motorsport can be dangerous"! A forgotten truth?
Finally, eight vehicles faced the starter on the Gurnigel in a demonstration drive, high-class racing cars, led by Kurt Hasler in the Maserati 8CM, the Indianapolis racing car Graham 8 Lucenti Special with Thomas Schott at the wheel or the Riley 15/6 of Edy Schorno. All of them provided a transverse splash of nitro color amidst the sponsor-stickered racing cars - roaring up the hill with them and screeching their way through the curves.
The modern-day chicks overdid it in their ambition and, as expected, flew off.
Conclusion: When you see the crash barriers after this race, you know why an event according to FIA standards simply makes sense. Also as a demonstration.
