Suzuki Cup: Sandro Fehr proves nerves of steel

Sandro Fehr brought a two-point lead over Marcel Muzzarelli with him to the Chamblon arena. Nevertheless, the starting positions were practically equal. Because of the closely staggered points system and the equal number of victories (one each), the fastest was automatically the champion at the end of the day if no one came before or in between. However, this was not the case either in practice or in the two race heats.

Not a question of nerves
In the first run on the 4400-meter course, Muzzarelli (top gallery, left) set a time that was half a second better. However, it was clear to both of them that they would have to go even faster, especially since they had missed their own training best times.

Outwardly, the nervousness was not noticeable, but inwardly it was certainly rumbling in both of them. As in the other races of the past season, however, Sandro Fehr (upper gallery, center) proved his nerve by turning the thing around.

Victory over the model
The amateur cave explorer from Rorschacherberg improved by more than a second, his opponent by half a second, both again without scoring errors - and so in the end Fehr's second running time, which was eight hundredths of a second faster, tipped the scales for the title. His joy was enormous after the official ranking list was posted.

Sandro Fehr: "I braked a bit finer everywhere after it had set me up slightly twice in the first run. I knew it was a super time. I never doubted myself and didn't give up. I prepared mentally for three weeks for this decisive final and was therefore free in my mind. For years I looked up to Muzz, so it's great to have won now against such a strong opponent like him."

Premiere as master
For the trained polymechanic, this is his first title win as a driver, having already been a member of the winning team four times in the OPC Challenge and the Suzuki Cup. Fehr has been competing in this one-make cup with various Swift models since 2012, but he has never played a role in the title fight until now.

His opponent, who had already won several Cups, was annoyed about the narrow defeat, but afterwards showed himself to be a fair loser.

Marcel Muzzarelli: "Of course I would know exactly how and where I lost the few hundredths. But I absolutely don't begrudge Sandro the title. He's been around for so long. I know exactly how he feels now as champion."

Two teams in the top five
None of the competitors really wanted to get involved in the title duel, which at best Michaël Béring (top gallery right) and Christian Zimmermann (middle gallery left) would have been able to do. The winner of the opening race in Bière, however, already lost more than two seconds to the winning duo in third place and was happy to finally be on the podium once again.

Thus, the man from Neuchâtel secured fourth place in the championship, which was still contested by Team 77. Danny Krieg, who had to score points for the 1977s in Chamblon, however, could not get beyond eighth place, while team boss and Cup coordinator Zimmermann achieved a good fourth place.

In fifth place, Reto Steiner (middle gallery center) added more good points to the account of the Flammer Speed Team, which was already established as championship third. Rico Thomann (middle gallery right), also in Flammer colors, closed his first full Suzuki season with a sixth place in Chamblon and in the standings.

Stefan Glanzmann (lower gallery left) was also able to live well with 7th place in the last race and in the championship, although like Thomann he may have secretly hoped for the first podium after a fourth place each in Frauenfeld. Fabio Gubitosi (lower gallery, center) and Jean-Luc Janz (lower gallery, right) rounded off the top ten at the finale with a respectable gap.

Next year again
It is already certain that the one-make cup with the Suzuki Swift Sport 48V Hybrid will also take place next year, although a new model is in the pipeline. Details will be announced at a later date. The championship ceremony will take place on August 19 as part of the Oldtimer Grand Prix in Safenwil.

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