Double season opener

The 2025 season opener of the Swiss Hill Climb Championship took place in two different locations for once. In Hemberg, Robin Faustini claimed victory as expected. At the hill climb La Roche–La Berra, the day's win went to Joël Volluz.

It was a first in the history of Swiss hill climb racing: two races kicking off the season at two different locations – something that had never happened before. Among participants, opinions were already clear before the races: this scenario must not repeat in 2026.

Speaking on behalf of most drivers, reigning Swiss hill climb champion Robin Faustini, who had chosen to race in Hemberg, said: “Both events are top-notch and both deserve a place on the Swiss calendar. That’s why the organizers should coordinate so that we can race at both events next year.”

There was plenty of racing action at both locations. With around 160 participants each, the season’s first two hill climbs benefited from high summer temperatures. The only downside: in La Roche, the third and final race run on Sunday afternoon had to be cancelled after a rain shower. The final standings were thus decided after just two runs. In the battle for the day’s win, seasoned Valais driver Joël Volluz came out on top in his new Norma M20FC, powered by the tried-and-true Judd naturally aspirated engine.

Hot on his heels was Thomas Amweg in the Nova NP01. The driver from Aargau trailed by 1.9 seconds after the first run but improved in the second, setting the fastest time of the day and closing the gap to just two-tenths of a second behind Volluz’s best time.

In Hemberg, things were clearer from the start: reigning champion Robin Faustini had only two real opponents in the fight for the day's victory – the technical setup and Michel Zemp (driving a Norma M20 FC). He had both under control. Over the three runs, Robin Faustini was consistently the fastest in the Toggenburg region. However, he missed setting a new course record.

For Zemp, the first race of the year ended with three very consistent runs and second place. “That was the maximum,” said Michel Zemp, who races with one liter less engine displacement than Faustini. Third place in Hemberg went to Philip Egli in the Dallara F393.

It wasn’t just the racing itself that thrilled the crowd – the supporting program was also a highlight. A particular spectacle was the impressive air show by the Super Puma Display Team of the Swiss Army on Sunday afternoon.

Text (c) 2025: Christian Eichenberger, Auto Sport Schweiz and Verein Bergrennen Hemberg.