Swiss motorsport ban to be lifted?

[Adam43]

http://www.autosport.com/newsitem.asp?id=22246&s=5

Autosport are saying that after nearly a 50 year ban politicians in Switzerland are pushing for the country to lift its ban on motorsport.

They are giving a GP slant on this, but could we see other series racing there? Euro F3, Sportscars?

What is the present state of Swiss motorsport and potential tracks
there. I have to admit I know nothing! IIRC there is some motorsport in Switzerland, mainly hillclimbs? Excuse my ignorance.

[Peter Mallett]

I thought all the "Swiss" events were held in either Germany, France or Italy. They did have a massive hillclimb venue and wasn't the Bremgarten circuit in Switzerland?

But nothing happens there now as far as I know.

[Lee Janotta]

The 5-mile Bremgarten circuit was indeed layed out on public roads within Switzerland's borders. There used to be some permanent facilities, but I expect they've been redeveloped in the last half century.

[Rob29]

Motor RACING was banned in Switzerland in 1956,as a result of the fatal accidents involving spectators at Geneva and Le Mans.This law apparently also covers bikes & karts(which had not then been invented!)rallies,hill climbs & slaloms have always been legal.
If they really are going to repeal this obsolete law and revive the Bremengarten circuit with modern safety barriers this would be fantastic.

[Fish_Flake]

Keep this quiet, or else Hermann Tilke might find out and build a flat, featureless track in the middle of the most striking scenery in Europe.

[neilwaynesmith]

Being just a smidge cynical, I wonder if this has more to do with the Swiss wanting to bring money into the country?...

I find it ironic that a country that arbitrarily banned motorsport because of a tragedy that happened in france, and has some of the most draconian traffic/speeding laws on the planet (even worse than Northampton police ) should now be actively seeking the reintroduction of motorsport..

[josvandeperre]

As I recall Autosprt suggests its because the Swiss are not in the EU and have therefore not banned cigarette advertising - I detect the hand of Bernie - which probably means another Tilke circuit

[neilwaynesmith]

It could be another street circuit!

[Lee Janotta]

Originally posted by josvandeperre
As I recall Autosprt suggests its because the Swiss are not in the EU and have therefore not banned cigarette advertising - I detect the hand of Bernie - which probably means another Tilke circuit

edited for inappropriate content

[Asp]

I thought that the Swiss only banned circuit racing. I remember watching the Swiss F3 championship last year, maybe the year before. All circuit races were held in a selection of neighbouring countries - I remember Dijon (home of the Swiss GP! ) being one. However, there were a large number of Hill Climbs in the season and I am positive that they were held on Switzerland.

[Rob29]

Correct Asp.Hill Climbs sprints,rally stages,slaloms & motocross ARE still held in Swtzerland. No permanent circuits have ever been built,so there was some disscusion a few years ago as to whether the law only applied to closed public roads.Know any Swiss lawyers?

[DNQ]

I'd love to see Switzerland back on the world racing scene, but it better not be that bloody Tilke moron building any potential venue

[Peter Mallett]

He does good grandstands!

[Lee Janotta]

Here's some background on the state of Swiss motorsport. Not good news about Bremgarten, I'm afraid.

http://www.grandprix.com/gpe/cir-072.html

A map here shows the state of the track in 2000. I expect there's a lot more built up around here than is shown, though.

http://home.datacomm.ch/srcb/bremgar...reste_2000.jpg

In translation, the red parts are still there, the purple have become footpaths, and the yellow parts have been plowed under.