Advocacy for a Motor Circuit in Switzerland

Advocacy for a racetrack in Switzerland

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If Switzerland can pride itself on hosting the main international motor sports federations, numerous champions, and a fleet of cars with a strong emphasis on premium vehicles, the absence of a circuit worthy of the name in the confederation is still deplored.

So it is true that the legislation allows the cantons to organise races on temporary tracks, whether for rally stages or for Formula E races in town. However, it is agreed that a safe circuit, with no trees, houses or surprises on the tarmac, should also be welcomed. This is not the case.

Another concession is that activities on closed circuits are allowed, but without a stopwatch and therefore without competition or the possibility to progress in one’s sport. Moreover, the only TCS pseudo-circuit in Lignières (NE) only allows instructional courses on its 1.35 km mini-track with 6 bends, whereas the one in Bremgarten (BE) was 7.28 km in 1955.

So there is still no room for safe recreational flying.

The story of a 66 year old trauma

This situation has its roots in a dramatic event that plunged the country into a form of obscurantism 66 years ago. During the 1955 Le Mans 24-hour race(in France), a horrific accident caused the instantaneous death of more than 70 people, with over 120 injured. Pierre Levegh’s Mercedes 300 SLR, trying to avoid a collision with a Jaguar that braked late to enter the pits, swerved and found an Austin Healey on which it leaned to be ejected into the stands, where it exploded, in the middle of a compact crowd. The explosion was such that it sent a lot of debris flying around, including the engine and the deck. A charge of prohibited fuel additive was even launched, as the power of the explosion seemed enormous.

The reaction was radical, emotional, and unambiguous: A ban on all motor sport in Switzerland, stamped by article 52 of the law on road safety. Since then, our conservative system has locked down any desire for change, discarding every initiative that has been launched so far. Whether it be that of MP Ulrich Giezendanner in 2003 to lift the ban, or those aiming to create circuits in the Jura or in Valais.

However, there is no shortage of arguments from the proponents

In fact, it seems that everyone would have something to gain

The market is there and waiting:

• According to the FSO, in 2020 there will be 4.7 million passenger vehicles in our fleet. And figures published by RTS show that in 2017, 43% of these cars had an engine of more than 160 hp, and 11% even exceeded 270 hp! This represents a not inconsiderable total of 517,000 carsfor the latter. Yes, that’s a lot for vehicles that can only fully play on the track.
• Motorcyclists are also concerned because they could also benefit.
• The training of police, ambulance and firefighters is partly dependent on this type of infrastructure.
• Just like the large number of resident pilots, whether they are still young or already famous.
• Not to mention the automotive press, which is also systematically forced to cross borders.

Industry would also benefit:

• Many national companies are part of the automotive sphere, but without the appropriate infrastructure: Sauber, Kyburz, Rebellion-motors, GreenGT, the tuners, …
• High schools that take part in the eco-marathon, where the aim is to cover as many kilometres as possible on just one litre of petrol.
• International federations such as the FIA and FIM, which are based in the territory, would find it easier to organise local events.
• It would also probably encourage the resurgence or creation of national brands, such as Martini, Stella, Hispano-Suiza, and other wonders buried in our museums.

Our heritage would be honoured:

• The many classic car clubs would have a place to meet and keep our automotivehistory alive in safety.

An educational function could be developed:

• Young, thrill-seeking drivers would find it a safe outlet. A strict ban is much more dangerous in that it only retains the most compliant and pushes dangerous behaviour onto roads open to all.
• Whereas with an accessible circuit, novices could learn the limits of their cars without putting themselves or others at risk. Indeed, once a user knows the limits of any machine, it is much less likely that he or she will use it in a dangerous way.

A circuit on the territory would therefore be economically very profitable and at the same time would bring more security to the whole community.

An opposition full of good feelings

On the opposition side, we find the ecologists with their prohibition which imposes their morals and their vision of a better world, populated by new men turning away from “stinking and polluting engines, from these games unworthy of ancient Rome”(Franziska Teuscher). But what do they know of the history of the automobile, of this formidable human adventure that unites us under the values of freedom, audacity, creativity and technical progress? Without this passion, we would still be consuming 30 litres per 100 km. Not to mention all the ships and many aircraft that directly benefit from the development of automotive engines.

And why force motor sport enthusiasts to travel hundreds of kilometres to spend the fuel and money of their passion abroad? And who takes their share of responsibility when the youngest seek their limits on open roads?