The Swiss Grand Prix was a major international event in the Swiss capital from 1931 to 1954, with an interruption during the war.
On the former Bremgartenring, a combination of various stretches of road on the western edge of Bern, the national and international motorsport elite gathered on two and four wheels for a test of strength and provided for heroic stories and tragedies, for great enthusiasm and hotly debated controversies.
Remembering the importance of racing
With the GP Suisse Berne Memorial, the organizers are reviving the significance of the former races and bringing back the glamour and aura of a bygone era. Due to highway construction and the expansion of the city to the west, hardly any traces of the old race course in and around the Bremgartenwald can be found. But it has remained alive in our memories, memories that are worth passing on.
The route of the GP Suisse Berne Memorial today therefore leads from Westside, where the organization, pits and paddock are located, further west to Frauenkappelen and via Riedbach and Oberbottigen in a triangular course back to the start. For this purpose, the relevant road sections and the Westside highway exit (Bern Brünnen) will be closed for the duration of the event.
Silver Arrow returns
Until 1939, the historic races in Bern were dominated by German racing teams. In the competition between Auto Union and Mercedes Benz, all but one of the podium places in the debut race (René Dreyfus in Bugatti in third place in 1934) went to the two brands. The first winner in Bern was Auto Union with Hans Stuck at the wheel.
In memory of this success, an Auto Union (Type C from 1936) will once again be at the start in Bern - a unique experience for the spectators as well as for the pilot Wolfgang Lautenbacher!
Air show with vintage airplanes
The Grand Prix Suisse Berne Memorial will also be represented in the air. Historic and modern aircraft fly over the site at midday and are expertly explained.
Spectacular event for the whole family
With the Westside in the center, spectators have access to additional zones around the track. These include Riedernrain, Frauenkappelen, Riedbach and the Niederbottigen spectator zone. Safety is therefore guaranteed for spectators.
A shuttle service between Westside and Frauenkappelen also offers the opportunity to move between the two spectator zones. In the spectator zones, the action will be commented on by expert track commentators.
The highlight will certainly be the 250 racing and sports cars from all eras, as well as the 80 or so racing motorcycles. Neel Jani will also be competing aboard a Porsche 550 Spyder and Marcel Fässler in an Audi 200 Trans Am. From 10:00 to 18:00, the route between Westside Bern, Frauenkappelen, Riedbach and Oberbottigen will be closed to racing cars. We recommend using public transport to get to the event!
Significance in the year of European cultural heritage
The GP Suisse Berne Memorial is a "living tradition of the Canton of Berne" and is listed as such on the list of the Department of Education on the Internet.
It is part of our cultural heritage, which contributes to our identity and cohesion and is currently the focus of particular attention as part of the European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018. The GP-Suisse Berne Memorial also fulfills the Federal Office of Culture's (FOC) mandate to the Swiss Museum of Transport to hold innovative and creative themed events in the field of transport and mobility.
The temporary exhibition "Grand Prix Suisse 1934-54: Bern in racing fever" will also be on display at the Bernisches Historisches Museum. On Saturday, August 25, there will be a parade from the Westside to the museum from 16:00.
Further information can be found on the event website.
