Dîner des Champions 2022 of Auto Sport Schweiz - A worthy end to the season 18.12.2022: On Friday evening, the Swiss automobile champions and cup winners were honoured at the "Dîner des Champions" of Auto Sport Schweiz at the Bellevue Palace Hotel in Bern. In 2019, the last "Dîner des Champions" was held at the Hotel Bellevue Palace i

On Friday evening, the Swiss automobile champions and cup winners were honoured at the "Dîner des Champions" of Auto Sport Schweiz at the Bellevue Palace Hotel in Bern.



In 2019, the last "Dîner des Champions" was held at the Hotel Bellevue Palace in Bern. In 2020, there was no reason to hold a champions' celebration because there were no races. And in 2021, the end of the season fell through because of pandemic regulations. So it was all the more pleasing that last Friday evening - after a break of three years - the Swiss automobile champions and cup winners could be honoured again.



Around 150 invited guests attended this year's champions' ceremony. The winners of this year's automobile championships were honoured in eight categories. Werner Augsburger, former "Chef de Mission" at Swiss Olympic, led through the evening-long programme. An impressive show performance was provided by contortionist Nina Burri. The videos were made by Bernhard Braegger, who is responsible for the "Friends of Swiss Motorsport".



Two trophies were presented to series champion Martin Bürki. The Uetendorf garage owner not only won the Swiss Slalom Championship for the ninth time last season, Bürki also secured his fourth title in the Swiss Mountain Cup with his poison-green VW Polo.



The proud champion was flanked by namesake Martin Oliver Bürki. Philip Egli, third in the slalom, was absent. The man from Glarus is currently enjoying his annual holiday in Mexico. In the Mountain Cup, where the prizes were donated by tyre manufacturer Yokohama, Bürki was joined by 2019 champion Philipp Krebs and Jürg Ochsner, who were delighted with second and third place respectively.



No fewer than four awards were presented as part of the Swiss Rally Championship. The Coupe Suisse des Rallyes Historiques (VHC) was won by Eddy and Florence Bérard in their BMW M3. Florian Gonon/Michel Horgnies (Ford Escort) and Guy Trolliet/Sébastien Moulin (Porsche 911) were awarded second and third places. In the Swiss Rally Cup, 2022 Philippe Broussoux/Didier Rappo prevailed in a Renault Clio. Second and third place went to Claude Aebi/Justin Vuffray (also Renault Clio) and Laurent Rossi/Timothée Perruchoud (Peugeot 206 XS) respectively.



In the Swiss Junior Rally Championship, the title went to Guillaume Girolamo from Valais and his co-driver Benjamin Bétrisey. The duo won four out of five rallies, beating Yoan Loeffler/Gaëtan Aubry quite clearly. Third place went to Sarah Lattion/Charlène Greppin (all on Renault Clio Rally5).



Jonathan Hirschi celebrated his second SM title. The driver from Neuchâtel won the Swiss Rally Championship 16 years after winning the Swiss Formula Renault Championship. Hirschi is thus the first driver to be successful in rallying after winning a title on the circuit.



Together with his co-driver Michaël Volluz, the VW Polo driver accepted the trophy for first place from the hands of NSK President Andreas Michel. Second place went to Jonathan Michellod (Skoda Fabia), whose co-driver Stéphane Fellay was absent in Bern. Third-placed Mike Coppens was also absent. The man from the Valais, still Swiss Rally Champion in 2021, was, however, honourably represented by co-driver Christophe Roux.



In the 2022 Swiss Hillclimb Championship, the veterans prevailed. Lola F3000 driver Eric Berguerand received his seventh trophy as racing champion on Friday evening in Bern to great applause. Berguerand won all the races in which he took part in 2022 in a new record time.



Marcel Steiner and Robin Faustini followed in 2nd and 3rd place (as they did at the last championship celebration in 2019). In the Touring Cars it was Reto Meisel who took the crown with five wins from six races. He was also the lonely leader this season with five record runs. Roger Schnellmann and Bruno Sawatzki completed the podium.



In addition to the numerous trophies for the Swiss champions and cup winners, there were other awards. Raffaele Marciello was honoured as the best international driver. The driver from Ticino not only won the ADAC GT Masters and the GT World Challenge in 2022, he also secured the triumph at the prestigious 24h of Spa-Francorchamps. Also on stage were the participants of the FIA Hill Climb Masters 2021 (including category 3 winner Reto Meisel) as well as the Swiss delegation that took part in the FIA Motorsport Games in Le Castellet 2022.




Jürg Kaufmann was also bid farewell during the championship celebration in Bern. Kaufmann was a member of the NSK, a member of the championships and rally commissions and the communications manager of Auto Sport Schweiz.



A "thank you" also went to Peter "Pesche" Flückiger for his many years of service on the Track & Safety Committee, his work as deputy course leader of the training course for track commissioners and race director of various events. The Auto Sport Schweiz Award of 2020 could not be presented personally to Fredy Lienhard. Unfortunately, the founder of the autobau Erlebniswelt in Romanshorn and promoter of Swiss junior racing was not present in Bern.



Schweizer Berg-Pokal
1. Martin Bürki, E1/VW Polo
2. Philipp Krebs, RCC/Renault Clio
3. Jürg Ochsner, IS/Opel Kadett C


Schweizer Slalom-Meisterschaft
1. Martin Bürki, E1/VW Polo
2. Martin Oliver Bürki, E1/BMW E33
3. Philip Egli, E2-SS/ Dallara F393


Swiss Historic Rally Cup VHC
1. Eddy Bérard/Florence Bérard, J2/BMW M3
2. Florian Gonon/Michel Horgnies, H1/Ford Escort
3. Guy Trolliet/Sébastien Moulin, I/Porsche 911 SC


Schweizer Rallye-Pokal
1. Philippe Broussoux/Didier Rappo, ISN/Renault Clio
2. Claude Aebi/Justin Vuffray, ISN/Renault Clio
3. Laurent Rossi/Timothée Perruchoud, ISA/Peugeot 206 XS


Schweizer Meisterschaft Rallye Junior
1. Guillaume Girolamo/Benjamin Bétrisey, Rally5/Renault Clio
2. Yoan Loeffler/Gaëtan Aubry, Rally5/Renault Clio
3. Sarah Lattion/Charlène Greppin, Rally5/Renault Clio


Schweizer Rallye-Meisterschaft
1. Jonathan Hirschi/Michaël Volluz, Rally2/VW Polo GTI
2. Jonathan Michellod/Stéphane Fellay, Rally2/Skoda Fabia
3. Mike Coppens/Christophe Roux, Rally2/Skoda Fabia


Schweizer Bergmeisterschaft der Tourenwagen
1. Reto Meisel, E1/Mercedes SLK 340
2. Roger Schnellmann, E1/Mitsubishi Lancer
3. Bruno Sawatzki, IS/Porsche 911 GT3 Cup


Schweizer Bergmeisterschaft der Rennsportwagen
1. Eric Berguerand, E2-SS/Lola FA99
2. Marcel Steiner, E2-SC/LobArt LA01
3. Robin Faustini, E2-SS/Osella FA30





Eichenberger, AutoSport Schweiz, transl deepl - also photos