2021 FIA HILL CLIMB MASTERS – PORTFOLIO

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All photos: G. Heirman

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G. Heirman

G. Heirman Zoom Motorsport H. Schwirtz

G. Heirman

H. Schwirtz

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G. Heirman

Zoom Motorsport G. Heirman

G. Heirman

G. Heirman

G. Heirman

Zoom Motorsport

G. Heirman

H. Schwirtz

CATEGORY 3

BEWITCHING MERCEDES

It is one of those cars that would make the hairs of anyone, even those who are indifferent to cars, stand on end! So, what can we say about the impressions of the enthusiastic Portuguese motor sport fans gathered along the course in Braga-Falperra? The Mercedes SLK 340 with its 3.4-litre V8 Judd engine driven by the Swiss Reto Meisel belongs to this category of striking cars, capable of offering sound, image, vibrations, emotions and of pushing the effects of charm, to the point of punctuating its runs in corners with great showers of sparks. It dazzles, and tears at your eardrums, hurting your eyes and ears, and yet we all clamour for more! Again, and again.

Initially entered in Category 1, the Mercedes had to be switched to Category 3 after scrutineering, due to its weight being far below the eligibility requirements of the Pf regulations. From a sporting point of view, Meisel found himself without any real competition for the gold medal. Behind him, Briton Damien Bradley, more used to the very short races of his national championship, improved his performances with each climb of the three-kilometre course. With his Subaru Legacy, he won the silver medal, and stole second place from Frenchwoman Sarah Bernard on the final climb. Particularly fast in her Seat Leon Cup Racer, she is the first woman to reach the podium in an overall FIA Masters ranking.

On the evening of the event, the three Category 3 medallists admitted that they had fallen under the spell of the magic of the FIA Masters, and that they had had the most incredible experience of their entire racing careers in Portugal. Meisel was full of praise for the FIA Masters, its fans and the organisation, concluding on Sunday evening: “This is the best event I have participated in in my 32-year career. Throughout the weekend, the smiles on the faces of the spectators, the drivers and their team members were simply legendary. Fabulous. Well done.”

H. Schwirtz G. Heirman

CATEGORY 1

PF, OR THE POLISH FACTOR

The supercharged Mitsubishis “made in Poland” had already made a strong impression in Gubbio in 2018. The Polish armada was even bigger and stronger in Braga, so much so that it left no doubt as to the nationality of the Category 1 winners. Fortunately for the excitement, there was still the contest between the Poles themselves, to spice up the debate, and keep the public on tenterhooks until the evening of the event.

600, 700, even 840 bhp: much speculation has been made as to the power of the Lancers. The exact value of their horsepower remains unknown, and certainly varies between cars, but no one has ever doubted that under their bonnets lies hundreds of horsepower. The timing booth next to the starting line is still shaking. Familiar with the new Pf regulations used in their national championship, the Poles are also masters at exploiting the “Performance Factor” (be it with the Mitsubishi, or other high-performance cars, such as the Fiesta of cousins Mariusz and Sebastian Stec).

Throwing all their might into the battle, each member of the “gang of Poles with black Mitsubishis” improved his run time at each climb. Daniel Stawiarski had taken the lead in the first and second race heats, but in a breathtaking final rush in the third attempt, Szymon Lukaszcyk took gold, leaving Michal Ratajczyk and Stawiarski to share silver and bronze, while “Dubai”, a little further behind, finished fourth. Armed with another very rapid Lancer, Swiss driver Ronnie Bratschi lost all hope of breaking the Polish hegemony when he went off the road slightly in the second heat and finished fifth, ahead of the first GT, the Porsche 997 GT2 driven by Nicolas Werver. Placing seventh with an original Picchio dressed as an Alfa Romeo 4C, Alessandro Gabrielli finished ahead of a varied trio of other GTs - Ronald Garces’ Audi R8, Luca Gaetani’s Ferrari 488 and Manuel Avilès’ Ginetta G55.

CATEGORY 4

OUTSTANDING CARS AND DRIVERS

The turbocharged engines of the E2-SC are restricted for the FIA Championships, but not in France, which is why Geoffrey Schatz was entered in Category 4 and not in Category 2. Knowing his level of performance in his national championship, where he has three titles to his name and has broken record after record, the comparison with Merli and Faggioli was already fuelling a lot of pre-event conversations and was a major interest throughout the Lusitanian weekend. Schatz hit the ground running in Saturday practice, emerging on top, and did so again on Sunday morning, holding the absolute fastest time after the first race heat. Merli, however, replied in a scathing manner on the second climb and made sure that the Frenchman didn’t try to reply in the final race. In the end, Schatz was three and a half tenths short, but what a demonstration anyway - rewarded with a magnificent gold medal in Category 4.

Loyal to the event since 2014, the British are less and less out of place when they show up at the FIA Masters. On courses that are radically different from those on which they compete at home, and with «featherweight» cars that are more suited to their 22-30 second sprints than to the long, wide continental roads, they are causing a sensation. Alex Summers in his 420kg, 550bhp 2.6 V8 DJ Firestorm took silver in Category 4, with a time that put him 4th overall, just ahead of the 3.3 V8 Gould GR59 of Wallace Menzies.

Particularly colourful by the variety of its cars, Category 4 also counted among its troops those small 1000cc «CM» prototypes that are the joy of both amateur drivers and spectators (what a noise, these motorbike engines screaming at 14’000 rpm!) in several national championships. Agile and lively by nature, the CMs contributed to the show in Braga and the Portuguese public made Yves Tholy, a kind of tightrope walker at the wheel of his little Speedcar Suzuki, one of its favourites!

H. Schwirtz

G. Heirman

CATEGORY 2

MERLI, FAGGIOLI AND THE NEW GUARD

Christian Merli’s victory ahead of Simone Faggioli: a “Top two” that surprised nobody. Expected, predictable. For almost a decade, the two Italian tenors have dominated, finishing head and shoulders above their rivals in almost all the competitions in which they take part. Fortunately for the show and the tension, the outcome of their duels is never known in advance. They push each other to the limits that they continue to stretch year after year - by driving, tuning, and developing their cars, engines, and tyres. In Braga, Merli won the arm wrestle. In the number of gold medals up for grabs at the FIA Masters, Merli now leads Faggioli 2-1.

While the drivers of the same generation and the one that followed ended up resigning themselves to the hegemony of the Italian duo, the new wave, on the other hand, does not intend to give up, call it a day at the foot of this Everest that they are facing. A “U25” at the 2014 FIA Masters with a small motorcycle-powered Formula Gloria, Petr Trnka has worked his way up the European hillside over the years without burning out. After seasons cutting his teeth in a 2.0-litre Honda-powered Ligier, he moved up to the elite class in 2021, buying a 3.0-litre Mugen-powered Norma. It did not take long for the 28-year-old Czech to put it to good use! The proof took the form of a bronze medal in Braga. His third place was also coveted by Fabien Bourgeon, who missed the podium by less than two-tenths of a second. The 31-year-old Frenchman is also relatively new to the 3-litre E2-SC Group, having made his debut in small CM prototypes. One particular and even more gratifying characteristic of Bourgeon is that he drives cars of his own construction, which he designs, develops and assembles with his father. The latest addition to the family, which has won admiration in Portugal, is called Revolt.

NATIONS CUP U25 , FEM

«ET VIVE LA FRANCE !»

The addition of a Nations Cup to the FIA Hill Climb Masters was one of the fundamentals associated with the creation of the event in 2014. Over the years, the importance given to it by the ASNs, as well as their investment in the competition, through support, preparation and strategy, has grown.

As a reminder, each country had to designate four drivers to represent it in the competition. To balance the odds among the countries, the Nations Cup ranking is based on the consistency of the drivers.

The calculation index for the classification is based on the difference between the times of two races by each of the nominated drivers – and the winning team is the one that achieves the smallest aggregate time difference between its three best drivers.

In this game of precision, under the guidance of their captain Jean-Marc Roger, the French proved to be the best, while at the same time posting some remarkable individual performances. With a difference of only 22 and 32 thousandths of a second between their best times, Ronald Garcès and Fabien Bourgeon were the main architects of the French victory, closely assisted by Kevin Petit (difference of 123 thousandths of a second).

The Slovakians, winners in 2016, came close to victory, only 89 thousandths of a second behind France. Their team was made up of Tomas Ondrej, Mojmir Cambal, Miroslav Sutlak, Martin Juhas, and coached by Vladimir Hybacek.

Bronze went to the Belgian team, whose “Red Devils”, led by their captain Patrick Bodart, were, in order of their contribution to the result, Bruno Cazzoli, Loïc Cordier, Didier Boemer and Junior Sébastien Starck.

The FIA Masters is also an opportunity to highlight the “Juniors” (under 25 years old) and the “Ladies”, the best of whom from each national championship can be nominated by the ASNs for participation in the event. Given the differences in equipment between the competitors, the “Best U25 Driver” and “Best Female Driver” awards are certainly symbolic, but let’s salute Olivia Cooper’s victory in the female category, delighted by the experience of racing for the first time outside Great Britain. During the event, she said: “I’m absolutely loving it, it’s something else. I’ve never, ever driven anything like this track. It’s very exciting; it’s very fast; it’s quite frightening, but the car is going brilliantly and what a great vibe!”. With his turbocharged Osella PA2000, Italian Luigi Fazzino was the fastest among the Juniors, ahead of Irishman Robert Dwane, who put on a spectacular performance with his 1.3t OMS 25 Suzuki, and Andorra’s Raul Ferre (1.0t Silver Car EF10 Suzuki).

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G. Heirman

COUNTRY PER COUNTRY

ANDORRA

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G. Heirman

H. Schwirtz

IRELAND

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H. Schwirtz

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@Agencja UMA

SWITZERLAND

RESULTS

32. Bartłomiej MADZIARA POL BMW M3 E36 1:25.303 33. Loic CORDIER BEL Porsche 991 GT3 Cup 1:25.331 34. Stéphane GARCIA FRA Peugeot 308 Racing Cup 1:25.515 35. Konrad BIELA POL Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII 1:26.098 36. Peter AMBRUZ SVK Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX 1:27.209 37. Jaroslav DUBÓCZI SVK Seat Supercopa TDI 1:27.692 38. Jean-Pierre POPE FRA Peugeot 308 Racing Cup 1:27.873 39. Miroslav ŠUTLÁK SVK Skoda Fabia R5 1:27.994 40. Paulo SILVA PRT Audi RS3 TCR 1:28.200 41. Aleš PREK SVN Honda Civic Type R 1:28.884 42. «PUMBA» POL VW Scirocco Cup 1:29.071 43. Mojmír CAMBAL SVK Citroen Saxo VTS 1:29.730 44. Lukas BICCIATO ITA Renault Clio IV Cup 1:29.867 45. Manuel SOUSA PRT Cupra TCR 1:29.933 46. Gabriella PEDRONI ITA Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII 1:30.045 47. Piotr ILNICKI POL Honda Civic 1:32.193 48. Parcidio SUMMAVIELLE PRT Renault Clio 1:32.492 49. Ivan MUTNANSKY SVK Skoda Fabia R5 1:32.782 50. Tonino COSSU ITA Honda Civic Type R 1:32.957 51. Jirí OŠMERA CZE VW Scirocco 1:32.997

1:34.765

22.

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25.

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27.

1. Christian MERLI ITA Osella FA30 Zytek 1:02.033

2. Simone FAGGIOLI ITA Norma M20 FC Zytek 1:02.650

3. Petr TRNKA CZE Norma M20 FC Mugen 1:04.834 4. Fabien BOURGEON FRA Revolt 3P0 Cosworth 1:05.016 5. Joseba IRAOLA ESP Nova NP01-2 Honda 1:05.339 6. Domenico CUBEDA ITA Osella FA30 Zytek 1:06.503 7. Sébastien PETIT FRA Nova NP01-2 Zytek 1:06.793 8. Diego DEGASPERI ITA Osella FA30 Zytek 1:07.063 9. Alexander HIN DEU Osella PA30 Zytek 1:07.109 10. Javier VILLA ESP BRC BR53 Suzuki 1:07.763 11. Pedro SALVADOR PRT Silver Car CS Suzuki 1:08.256

12. Fausto BORMOLINI ITA Reynard 2Kl Mugen 1:08.419

13. Luigi FAZZINO ITA Osella PA2000 Peugeot 1:08.950

14. Guy DEMUTH LUX Norma M20 FC Judd 1:09.666

15. Samuele Mirko CASSIBBA ITA Osella PA21 JrB Suzuki 1:11.903

16. Michel ZEMP CHE Norma M20 FC Honda 1:12.405 17. Raul FERRE AND Silver Car EF10 Suzuki 1:12.552

18. Thomas AMWEG CHE Lola B99/50 Cosworth 1:13.046

19. Renzo Maria NAPIONE ITA Reynard 01L Cosworth 1:14.384

20. Hélder SILVA PRT BRC BR53 Suzuki 1:14.555 21. César RODRÍGUEZ ESP Osella PA21 JrB BMW 1:15.195 22. Bruno CAZZOLI BEL Lola B99/50 Judd 1:15.571 23. Canio MARCHIONE LUX Osella PA21 JrB BMW 1:15.595 24. Baptiste TOGNET-BRUCHET FRA Tatuus FR2013 Renault 1:16.160 25. Daniel DONKELS LUX Ligier JS49 Honda 1:16.482 26. Georg LANG DEU Tatuus FR2.0 Evo Renault 1:16.757 27. Marco CAPUCCI ITA Osella PA21 S Honda 1:16.952 28. Alberto SCARAFONE ITA Formula Gloria C8F Suzuki 1:17.050 29. Didier BOEMER BEL Lola B06/30 Opel 1:20.305 30. Martin JUHAS SVK Tatuus FR2.0 Renault 1:22.454 31. Martina RAITI ITA Osella PA21 J Honda 1:23.353 32. Aleš MLEJNEK CZE Norma M20 Honda 1:24.032 NC. Franco CARUSO ITA Nova NP01-2 Zytek DNS

4. Rory STEPHENS IRL SHP RSR Escort 1:29.257 5. Dara FAY IRL Suzuki Swift GTI 1:30.854 6. Justin ANDREWS GBR Subaru Impreza 1:31.951 7. Sébastien STARCK BEL Renault Clio 3 Cup 1:32.202 8. Sérgio NOGUEIRA PRT Renault Clio RS 1:32.297 9. José ALMEIDA PRT BMW M3 E46 1:33.176 10. Alberto PEREIRA PRT Honda Civic Type R 1:33.365 11. William BARRETT IRL Honda Civic Type R FN2 1:33.755 12. Sorin BOTEZ ROU Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI 1:34.483 13. Daniela MARQUES PRT Subaru Impreza WRX STI 1:34.586 14. James KERR GBR Peugeot 205 GTi 1:34.703 15. Pascal CAT FRA Renault Megane 3 1:34.915 16. Tommy GARDINER IRL Honda Civic Sir 1:35.108 17. Cornel ZAMFIRESCU ROU Honda Civic Type R EP3 1:35.543 18. Gavin NEATE GBR Peugeot 106 1:35.559 19. John PICK GBR AMS Murtaya S Subaru 1:35.684 20. Bart DE SAEDELEER BEL Fiat 500 VRC 1:35.766 21. Sandra DONKELS-BECKER LUX Renault Clio 2 1:37.925 22. Francois FLAMMANG LUX Peugeot 206 RC 1:39.038 23. Elodie LAFOSSE FRA Peugeot 106 Rallye 1:41.464 24. Francisco MILHEIRO PRT Peugeot 106 1:41.743 25. Monique BECKER LUX Alfa Romeo 147 GTA 1:46.436 26. Gazmend DEMOLLI KOS Audi S3 1:57.034

Gary GRAHAM

15. Yves THOLY FRA Speedcar GTR Suzuki 1:16.280 16. Keith CAMILLERI MLT Radical Pro Sport Suzuki 1:16.576 17. Lee GRIFFITHS GBR OMS 28 Suzuki 1:16.608 18. Edgar MONTELLA AND Silver Car S3 Suzuki 1:17.910 19. Benito PÉREZ ESP BRC B49 Suzuki 1:18.110 20. Olivia COOPER GBR Force TA Suzuki 1:18.803 21. Marc SOLSONA AND Speedcar GTR Evo Suzuki 1:20.790 22. Kenneth CAMILLERI MLT Dallara F394 Suzuki 1:21.131 23. António RODRIGUES PRT BRC 05 Evo Suzuki 1:21.489 24. Joaquim RINO PRT BRC B49 Evo Suzuki 1:23.776 25. Matthew ZAMMIT MLT Van Diemen Amz 284 twin-Suzuki 1:24.282 26. Bardhyl CANOLLI KOS Radical SR8LM Suzuki 1:24.533 27. Simon JENKS GBR Caterham Superlight Suzuki 1:28.826 28. Chris KLEIN LUX Norma M20 M Suzuki 1:34.381 29. Marcel MUXELLA AND Alpa FR92 Renault 1:34.552 30. Thomas WEAVER GBR Van Diemen RF91 Ford 1:35.134 NC. Sean GOULD GBR Gould GR59 Jb Judd DNF WOMEN 1. Olivia COOPER GBR Force TA Suzuki 1:18.803

5. Marc SOLSONA AND Speedcar GTR Evo Suzuki 1:20.790 6. Jakub ULANOWSKI POL Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX RS 1:21.005 7. Martina RAITI ITA Osella PA21 J Honda 1:23.353 8. Sébastien STARCK BEL Renault Clio 3 Cup 1:32.202 9. Marcel MUXELLA AND Alpa FR92 Renault 1:34.552 10. Lukas KERSCHBAUMER ITA Honda Civic EK4 1:34.765 11. Thomas WEAVER GBR Van Diemen RF91 Ford 1:35.134

12. Sam PRICKAERTS LUX Ford Fiesta ST 1:37.451

13. Francisco MILHEIRO PRT Peugeot 106 1:41.743

NATIONS CUP

1. FRANCE (Garces, Bourgeon, K. Petit, Schatz) 0.177

2. SLOVAKIA (Ondrej, Cambal, Sutlak, Juhas) 0.256

3. BELGIUM (Cazzoli, Cordier, Boemer, Starck) 0.568 4. LUXEMBOURG (Demuth, Marchione, S. Donkels, T. Flammang) 0.670 5. SPAIN (Perez, Villa, Iraola, Janssens) 0.684 6. SWITZERLAND (Zemp, Meisel, Amweg, Bratschi) 0.768 7. ITALY (Faggioli, Merli, Cubeda, Gabrielli) 0.806 8. PORTUGAL (Nogueira, Rodrigues, Marques, Summavielle) 0.836 9. UNITED KINGDOM (Neate, Cooper, Kerr, Griffiths) 0.924 10. IRELAND (Fay, Barrett, Dwane, Stephens) 0.925 11. POLAND (Madziara, Lukaszczyk, Ratajczyk, «Dubai») 1.053 12. ANDORRA (Montella, Ferre, Solsona, Muxella) 1.404 13. CZECH REPUBLIC (Trnka, Trneny, Osmera, Mlejnek) 1.676

KOSOVO (Canolli, Jaha, Kalenderi, Demolli) 2.931

MALTA (Keith Camilleri, Kurt Camilleri, Z. Zammit, M. Zammit) 3.166

TOGNET-BRUCHET

1:16.160