Simracing: Fredy Eugster may go to Rome 🎥
SPANNING FINALE Fredy Eugster is the first Swiss champion in simracing. He also prevailed against seasoned car racers. In October, Eugster will represent Switzerland at the FIA finals in Italy. The fourth and final qualifier of the SWISS SIMRACING SERIES 2019 took place on the same day and thus close to the Swiss E-Prix in Bern-Wabern [...]
The fourth and final qualifier of the SWISS SIMRACING SERIES 2019 took place on the same day and thus close to the Swiss E-Prix in Bern-Wabern. In uniformly tuned simulators and in the virtual Porsche GT3 Cup, the final qualifiers had to drive on the demanding and virtual circuit of Brands Hatch. Lars Baumeler, who has already competed in various car races (including Formula 4), and Thomas Schmid, last year's double champion in the Rallye-SM Junior and Berg-SM Junior, emerged as the fastest of the two qualifying groups.
The crowning finale took place immediately afterwards. This time, the last 16 participants had to prove their skills on the virtual GP circuit of Silverstone. With Jeffrey Schmidt and Felix Hirsiger, two more car racers competed against experienced SIM racers.
Eugster leaves his opponents no chance
The eight finalists were determined in two qualifying sessions and race heats. The four best on points in each case qualified for the final run. Group A was clearly dominated by Fredy Eugster, Group B was firmly in the hands of Manuel Waibel.
In the decisive race, Eugster sought his salvation in the run to the front and thus drove out a start/finish victory that was never threatened. As the first official Swiss Simracing Champion, he will represent Switzerland at the FIA Motorsport Games in Rome in October.
A car racer on the podium
Behind him, things got turbulent. Enrico Di Loreto, who had been running in second place until shortly before the end, tried to maintain his lead, but his pursuers closed the gap lap by lap and soon fell upon him. In the end, he had to settle for seventh place, just ahead of Thomas Schmid.
Manuel Waibel mastered the situation with aplomb and crossed the finish line in second place. In third place, Lars Baumeler was the best SIM racer in the final, who also already has experience in motor racing.
GT pilot recognition
Jeffrey Schmidt also stayed out of the fray and finished fourth. The internationally successful racing driver (race winner in the ADAC GT Masters, third in the 2018 Spa 24 Hours) that he also masters virtual racing. The Liestaler paid the highest respect to his SIM opponents.
Jeffrey Schmidt: "The guys are already extremely fit and driving at a very high level."
Manuel Sudau, who turned the fastest lap time in the eight laps, finished 6th behind Felix Hirsiger.
From 15 you are there
The SWISS SIMRACING SERIES will be held again in 2020. As in its premiere year, it will be under the sporting sovereignty of Auto Sport Schweiz (ASS) and the FIA, the international automobile federation, and will be overseen by ASS commissioners.
Participation is open to anyone who is a resident of Switzerland or has a Swiss passport. Further requirements are a minimum age of 15 years and a height of 1.60 meters. The entry fee is 50 Swiss francs including a 25-minute qualifying session. The number of participants is limited to a maximum of 70 starters per qualifying session.
Registrations have to be made via the homepage, where also the dates for the qualifying sessions of the new season will be announced early.
