Plea for a circuit in Swiss

A surprising legislation

Although Switzerland is proud to host the main international motor sports federations, numerous champions and a large fleet of premium vehicles, we still deplore the absence of a real circuit in the confederation.

Of course, the legislation allows the cantons to organize races on temporary tracks, whether for rally specials or for Formula E races in town. However, one would agree that a secure circuit, without trees, houses or surprises on the tarmac, should also be approved. But this is not the case.

Another concession is that activities on closed circuits are allowed, but without a chronometer and therefore without any competition or possibility to progress at the high performance level. Besides, the only pseudo circuit of the TCS in Lignières (NE) only allows training courses on its mini track of 1.35 km with 6 bends, while the one in Bremgarten (BE) was 7.28 km long in 1955.

So, there is still no place for safe recreational driving.A surprising legislation

Swiss Grand Prix in Bremgarten (BE) in 1954

The story of a 67 years old trauma

This situation takes its roots in a dramatic event that has plunged the country into a form of obscurantism for 67 years already. During the 1955 Le Mans 24 hours (in France), a horrible accident caused the instant death of more than 70 people, with more than 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 was ejected into the stands and exploded in the middle of a?crowd. The explosion was so strong that it propelled a multitude of debris around, including the engine and the differential. An accusation of prohibited fuel additive was even made, as the power of the explosion seemed enormous.

Accident during the 24h of Le Mans in 1955 which led to a total ban on motor sports in Switzerland

The reaction was radical, emotional, and without appeal: The ban on all motor sports in Switzerland, stamped by article 52 of the law on road safety. Since then, our conservative system has blocked any attempt of change, discarding every initiative that was launched so far. Whether it was the initiative of MP Ulrich Giezendanner in 2003 to lift the ban, or those aiming to create circuits in the Jura or in Valais.

The arguments of the partisans are not lacking

It even seems that everyone would win

? The market is ready and waits:

• According to the Swiss Federal Statistical Office, in 2020, there will be 4.7 million passenger cars in our fleet. And figures published by the RTS indicate that in 2017, 43% of these cars had an engine of more than 160 hp, and 11% even exceeded 270 hp! This represents a considerable total of 517,000 cars. Yes, that's a lot of cars that can only be enjoyed on a track.
• Motorcyclists are also concerned as they could also benefit from it.
• The training of police, ambulance and firefighters depends on this type of infrastructure.
• As well as the large number of resident pilots, who are particularly famous.
• Not to mention the automotive press, which is also systematically forced to cross borders.

Evolution of engine power in terms of market share of registered cars in Switzerland (chart?: RTSinfo.ch – source?: FSO / OFROU)

Industry would also benefit:

• Many national companies are an integral part of the automotive sphere, but without the appropriate infrastructure: Sauber, Kyburz, Rebellion-motors, GreenGT, car preparators, ...
• The engineering schools that participate in the eco-marathon whose objective is to travel as many kilometers as possible with only one liter of gasoline.
• International federations such as the FIA and FIM, which are based in the territory, would find it easier to organize local events.
• It would also probably encourage the resurgence or creation of national brands, like Martini, Stella, Hispano-Suiza, and other wonders buried in our museums.

Our heritage would be honoured:

• Many classic car clubs would have a place to meet and keep our automotive history alive in safety.

An educational role could be developped?:

• Young drivers, eager for excitement, would find it a safe outlet. A strict ban is much more dangerous in that it only keeps the most compliant and pushes dangerous behaviour onto roads open to all.
• Whereas with an accessible track, novices could learn the limits of their cars without putting their lives or the lives of others at risk. Indeed, once a user knows the limits of a machine, whatever it is, it is much rarer for him to use it dangerously.

?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 about the automotive history, of this formidable human adventure that unites us under the values of freedom, boldness, creativity and technical progress? Without this passion, we would still be consuming 30 litres per 100 km. Not to mention all the ships and numerous aircrafts that benefit directly from the development of car engines.

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

The environment to respect

So yes, there are nevertheless observations to be taken into account so as not to do anything foolish. And we must keep in mind that the objective is to have a circuit for sports driving open to the biggest number of people. In short, one must be careful not to be too greedy, and avoid getting carried away by the enormous opportunities that a real circuit could offer, and which have already been fatal to previous projects. Here are a few non-exhaustive ideas of limits to be set:

• All regulations relating to new construction must be respected
• A circuit must not involve the destruction of forests or the endangerment of wildlife
• The number of vehicles on the Tarmac should be limited, and should be secured by prior reservation
• The number of seats in the stands should be limited, depending on the requirements of the site
• The type of timed races that the circuit will be eligible for should be discussed in advance with the municipalities concerned
• The level of noise and pollution generated by its activity must not disturb the local residents

This last point is the most sensitive, because it depends on a very subjective assessment, based on very personal value judgements. Each person considers his or her right to pollute according to his or her convictions, or more prosaically, according to his or her own interests. This is why travelling by plane is well accepted, whereas having fun at the wheel is more likely to be judged as stupid. But then again, can't we reuse all this abandoned heritage of former shooting stands or military airfields to give them back to an activity that is much less noisy and polluting?

The airfield in Raron, which hosted the 2015 Federal Shooting, would do well

A future happy ending where everyone wins?

So now that the new wave has had its way with the world car market, imposing the electricity everywhere (no doubt due to an excess of green fairy), will it finally be possible to enjoy a safe and recreational circuit?

?Because here we are. Despite forecasts that have always proved wrong, the share of electric cars is finally taking off, with 43,400 units in 2020, compared with 28,700 units in 2019 and 750 units in 2018 (source: FSO). The trend is now clear, even if the slope is still difficult to extrapolate.?However, the profitability of a circuit entirely dedicated to electric vehicles seems increasingly opportune. The only additional investment required compared to a European circuit would be the acquisition of fast chargers to allow customers to return home after a great day of driving pleasure. So this dream seems to be becoming possible, and I hope to see a new standard bearer appear soon who will finally get his way!