Automotive

Slalom Automobile du Chamblon

As it is obvious that I won’t be making it to a F1 race this year I decided to go to the racing event that is the closest to where I live, the Slalom Automobile du Chamblon.  This event is part of the Swiss Slalom Championship and is organised by the Ecurie du Nord, this year for the 30th time.  It takes place on a Swiss Army training grounds that is exactly 4.6 km from my home by car; an acceptable distance that won’t break my budget for transportation costs.

The starting line.


Participants waiting for their turn.

And off we go !, through the first two turns and out of sight already.









The site at the Chamblon army training grounds makes a very interesting course for the drivers, but is pretty challenging for spectators.  The main spectator area with food, drink, etc. is way up there on the bluff.  But the Swiss have good shoes so this little hike is no problem.  I think that a Slalom at a disused airport such as in Interlaken is a better deal for spectators who will be able to see much more of the action.

For those who need a better view there is help, you have the possibility to rent a heli.

As in skiing, the auto slalom is a timed course staked out with gates you have to pass through.  Touching a cone with the car entrains penalty points.  The course in Chamblon is 4.3km long and has 68 gates, pairs of cones to be passed through without touching.






Today, Saturday, is the LOCal day.  No particular license is required.  A one day LOC license can be had for the asking.  All the vehicles must be road legal with a valid registration.

Spectators rooting for their favorites.  One sees tremendous differences in cars and driving styles, training(?), experience(?)  A typically Swiss day of fun for everyone without excesses.


The prizes for today are lined up awaiting distribution this evening.

Yes even a Smart on the road in the under 1400cm2 class.

















With the family station wagon on the course.





Tension before the start?  Nervousness and nail-biting?
I don’t see it. It looks like everyone is just waiting to have some fun.


Of course video recording instruments are present too.









This Elise SC has just taken first 50cm of the course.

Caterham 7

KTM X-Bow









Ambience Chamblon

Lake Neuchâtel in the distance as seen from Chamblon







After wandering around for a while I decided to go to the finish line to see what was going on there.  Asking my way around I discovered it is a good 15 minute walk.


The finish line.  Note the crowd, no-one except the volunteers watching that the cones are passed without touching.













You are just going to have to imagine the sound of these Porsche’s rushing by.





Is it a characteristic of the Porsche that it goes around the curves with one paw in the air?
Maybe they are just friendly and waving to their friends?
I noticed this consistently on the Porsche’s and none of the other cars.
We always tried to teach our dogs that they need to keep “four on the floor”, with little success.  These guys haven’t learned very well either.

























Here come some little beauties.














































Now three Exiges with their fresh air snorkels on the roof.





































Coming up to the end of the day it is time for some bigger cubic and more noise.
Not so sure they were any faster ‘though.


















The day is over and the spectators on the last leg of the course head back to the tent to see the results.

A beautiful Lotus 7 in green and yellow Lotus livery in the parking lot.
And who won?
Well it depends on your criteria.
 -> fastest time for the 4.3km course
    nr 456 Jean-Philippe Martin in 3:20.67 in his Porsche GT3.
-> best looking car
    hard to say… IMHO
    either nr 413 Gilbert Denser in his lime green Elise 111R (3:32.40)
    or nr 291 Philippe Golay in his Caterham 7  (3:21.59)
-> appeared to be having the most fun
    nr 201 Jean-Louis Mesot in his bright yellow and black Smart (4:39.56)

Sunday was the day for drivers with national racing licenses and corresponding cars.  Training, experience and better rolling material do make a difference.  The fastest driver Sunday, driving a 2 litre Formula Master car, shaved over 22 seconds off of Saturdays best time taking the course in 3:00.56.



This message has been edited by DonCorson on 2012-06-20 10:47:43 This message has been edited by DonCorson on 2012-06-20 14:40:11

Hi Don !

and yes there are alot of small hatchbacks, French or otherwise, on the road here.
Looking at the results list a large portion, but not a majority, of vehicles where French hatchbacks (including a Laguna!).
I did look like great fun to participate and it does have me itching, but participation in any timed event ends the guarantee on the car, so I will be waiting another two years.  But that doesn't rule out driver training.  The ACS has an interesting weekend in Hockenheim that is calling to me
Don

i wonder how my 4x4 scoobie would perform ? not as well as the Clio RS i suspect.

if you want Top Gear Don you often see the small cars cocking a leg when on the limit in tight bends and i think the older 911's do it due to the weight transference of the engine in the rear. i certainly looks good though, like a puppy enjoying itself

you chose a good place to stand

best

G

Perfect weather and gorgeous scenery. Love the variety of the entrants. Was that an old rally Cortina? Love the station wagon.

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They pass me on the freeway. Haven't had one near me on a steep hill, though... not that I'd do any better