The Sound of the Story
As of July 1, 2026, the official ban on circuit racing in Switzerland has been lifted. As if to warm up for the new era, the 1988 Audi 200 quattro TransAm took a few laps on June 27, and a week later, the 1989 Sauber C9, the 1989 Le Mans winner, completed a few demonstration laps on the short circuit at the “autobau Erlebniswelt” in Romanshorn in front of many enthusiastic spectators.
Heroes of Le Mans
The TransAm Audi was driven by 2013 DTM champion and 2010 Le Mans winner (2010) Mike Rockenfeller; the Sauber was driven by Stanley Dickens, who had won the 24 Hours of Le Mans (1989) in this car alongside Jochen Mass and Manuel Reuter. Just how fascinating race cars are was clearly evident in the eyes of the numerous invited guests. It simply makes a huge difference whether the cars are standing still and quiet in the museum or driving by with their distinctive sound. The Audi, for example, with its five-cylinder turbo engine, has a wonderful sound—the turbo's hiss and whistle are absolutely unique.
The two cars from Mercedes and Audi not only share German roots but have also competed—or are currently competing—in the premier class of motorsports through the Swiss Sauber racing team: In 1993, Sauber-Mercedes entered the F1 World Championship with the black C12 and drivers Karl Wendlinger and JJ Lehto; in 2026, it was Audi that found its way back into Formula 1 thanks to the support of the Hinwil-based team. The four rings had not been seen in Grand Prix racing since the legendary Auto Union race cars of the 1930s. The Revolut-Audi already scored two World Championship points in Melbourne on its debut with Gabriel Bortoleto, just as the C12 Sauber-Mercedes did 33 years ago with JJ Lehto at Kyalami.
Audi Special Exhibition
At the same time, Daniel Bachmann opened his private treasure trove for the exclusive Audi summer exhibition at “autobau” The garage owner, a former race mechanic and passionate Audi collector, is displaying six of his vehicles together for the first time—including the Audi 200 TransAm, of which only five were built and only two are still roadworthy today. Also on display are an Audi 80 Competition STW, an Audi quattro Turbo, an Audi Sport quattro, and one Group 4 and one Group B Rallye quattro each. At the same time, the permanent Sauber exhibition in the converted former C1 industrial alcohol storage facility features the C1 and various F1 race cars.
