Motorsport: New BMW for the champion
At the Ayent-Anzère hill climb, Albin Mächler brings his new BMW M2 to the start for the first time. The man from Schwyz only has ambitions for 2017, so there will certainly be a new touring car mountain champion this year. Something new more often. After the 1-series M-Coupé and the M4, Albin Mächler brings another sports model from Munich to the Swiss races [...]
Something new more often. After the 1-series M-Coupé and the M4, Albin Mächler is now entering another sports model from Munich in Swiss races. Unlike before, the garage owner from Wangen SZ no longer competes in the SuperSeries with the BMW M2, but in Group E1. Although he was already entered in Hemberg and Reitnau, the conversion work was delayed. As a trendsetter with a completely new car from Munich, Mächler can again look forward to the support of BMW Switzerland.
Mächler only had fine-tuning done on the biturbo engine with 3-liter inline six-cylinder and 2979 cc, which delivers 370 hp in series and is good for 500 Nm of torque. . More work, however, was invested in a racing chassis. "The M2 doesn't have as much power from the base as the M4, but it's lighter and much more agile in terms of handling," explains the three-time touring car champion. "I don't stand a chance against the most powerful and much lighter E1 cars on the mountain, so I drive there to gain experience." Mächler then wants to use this in 2017 in the slalom championship, where he reckons he has a good chance in the title fight.
Around 250 riders start at the third SM run in Valais
Thus it is certain that there will be a new touring car mountain champion and that he will not drive a series car. Röbi Wicki, who finished second in the SM three times behind Mächler, is out of the question as the SuperSeries is understaffed this year. All other categories are very strong at the third SM round in Anzère. More than 200 "Nationale" plus 50 riders with REG license are entered. After two defeats against Eric Berguerand in Hemberg and Reitnau, Joël Volluz with his Osella FA30 is now the crown favorite for the day's victory. At the home race of the two drivers from the Valais, Volluz set a new track record last year.
www.ayent-anzere.ch
Photos: Peter Wyss, Ruth Scherrer
