After the tenth edition of the now traditional Rallye am Gotthard, then also known as the Rallye Uri, rallying in German-speaking Switzerland came to an end for the time being in 1983. 33 years later, from September 1 to 4, 2016, the original initiator is reviving the Rallye Gotthard.
In July 1950, around 100 rally drivers invaded the Gotthard region for the first time and, according to newspaper reports at the time, spread fear and terror among the car tourists of the time. At that time, the Rallye International des Alpes also crossed our country on its 3200 km route over countless Alpine passes, but with the advent of mass motorization throughout Europe, the days of such endurance tests on unsealed roads were soon numbered.
Launched by the ACS Uri sports commission, a more modern rally was then held ten times between 1972 and 1983 on the roads of the canton of Uri, the upper Leventina and the Tavetsch, first as the Uri Night Rally, from 1975 as the Uri Rally and from 1981 as the Gotthard Rally. With the exception of the Rallye Thun, which was once part of the SM in 1977, it remains the only such event in German-speaking Switzerland to this day. Although the Rally Emmental was briefly included in the ASS calendar in 2010, the organizer did not have the necessary expertise to turn the plans into reality.
After successfully holding two regularity tests in January 1975, the enterprising team from Uri had the honor of opening the newly created Swiss Rally Championship with their event, which had now mutated into a speed event in today's style. Rough gravel on part of the selective course (around 200 km) made the headlines, and instead of the favored Porsches, two robust Mini Coopers ended up at the top of the rankings.
What used to be taken for granted, however, was less and less popular with a number of drivers, who did not want to put their vehicles, which are now primarily designed for asphalt, through such ordeals. As the organizer stuck to the character of the rally and continued to include tough gravel stages on the programme, there was regular criticism from the drivers, and even the sports authorities expressed concerns.
Not least because of this, the organizers' motivation waned more and more despite the extremely positive cooperation with the authorities, and in 1983 they drew a line under the event, although the tenth edition was very well received by the public and was even recognized by television thanks to Marc Surer's participation.
Extensive documentation of the ten editions is documented in a race report on Zwischengas.
The rebirth
After a 33-year hiatus, the OC under the original initiator Bernhard Brägger is reviving this motorsport tradition at the beginning of September 2016. A round of the Swiss Rally Championship will be held with international participation. All special stages take place on roads in the Gotthard massif, and many of them are reminiscent of previous editions. The hub is Andermatt, where the service park is also located on the historic barracks site.
On Friday afternoon, the competitors start from Andermatt for the first stage in Tavetsch in Graubünden, where spectators can experience a first highlight with the circuit near Sedrun. On Saturday, the focus will be on the legendary Tremola with its slippery cobblestones before the competitors arrive in the Göscheneralp in the early evening. After neutralization, the spectacular downhill stage around the now closed Oberalp Pass will start. This is where the 11th International Rally Gotthard will be decided at night.
Historic vehicles too
A round of the Swiss Rally Championship with international participation will be held with modern vehicles approved for this sport, but also two categories for historic vehicles according to FIA (Coupe Suisse des Rallyes Historiques) and a license-free category for vehicles at least 25 years old (Kristall Cup).
All special stages take place on closed roads and have a speed character. On the so-called sectors between the individual special stages, an average speed of approx. 40 km/h and compliance with all traffic regulations is prescribed in all categories. For the historic vehicles (Kristall Cup), an average speed of less than 50 km/h applies on the special stages. No highways or other significant traffic routes will be used. All special stages take place on roads with no particular transit character.
Further information can be found on the Rally Gotthard website. Incidentally, the "new" rally also made an appearance at the Geneva Motor Show.
