TOMAC Racing Team, Gurnigel Hill Climb 2025, Class Victory & Course Record

After thorough preparation of both man and machine, the team traveled to Rüti am Gurnigel on Friday morning for the penultimate race of the Swiss Hill Championship.

The usual routine followed: set up the tent, get settled, complete the paperwork, and inspect the course.

Saturday morning greeted us with dry but rather cool conditions. The first practice run took place in the morning. There was still no grip on the "green" track, and the clock stopped at 1:49.297. Victor Darbellay, the opponent in the 2-liter class, drove a 1:51.266.
During the second practice run, Victor Darbellay really turned it on and drove a 1:43.821, while Michel Zemp clocked a time of 1:6.736. Even after the third practice run, Michel was still behind Victor, with 1:44.709 compared to Victor's 1:43.257. We knew what the problem was and did everything we could to turn the tide on race Sunday. After preparing the Norma race car and enjoying a fine fondue, a well-deserved night's sleep followed.

During the night, the weather changed and it began to rain. It rained intermittently until just before the first race run on Sunday morning. As the road was wet, the entire field switched to wet tires. Michel Zemp's first wet-weather start of this season with the new engine update was good, and with his calculated-risk driving, the clock stopped at 1:59.677. Victor Darbellay drove a 1:57.393. Robin Faustini (Amweg) was at the top (both in the 3-liter class), Darbellay was 3rd, Michel Zemp was in 4th place, and Marcel Steiner (3-liter class) was in 5th place.
As the rain had stopped in the morning and the track was slowly drying, everyone hoped for two more race runs. The sun quickly dried the open sections of the track, but in the wooded sections and especially in the first corner after the start, it was still damp, or even wet, during the second race run. This meant attacking on the dry sections and managing the pace in the wet sections. Michel Zemp was not quite successful enough in the second run, clocking a 1:45.770, as Darbellay was once again faster with a 1:44.332. Faustini was out of reach for everyone at the top. Amweg drove a 1:46 time due to a technical problem, and Steiner spun in the first still-wet corner. Thus, we began to smell the podium places for the 2-liter drivers.

Once again, we perfectly prepared the Norma Helftec-Honda, and after a flawless, brilliant drive, Michel Zemp was able to take the top spot in the 2-liter class with a 1:44.169, which also set a new class record. Victory in the class up to 2 liters, second overall behind Faustini (3-liter class) and ahead of Darbellay in 3rd place—simply amazing!
Overjoyed, the team packed everything up and proudly headed home after the results were announced.

The action continues the following weekend (20/21 September 2025). The final race of the season in Les Paccots is approaching—and Michel Zemp with the TOMAC Racing Team currently holds an outstanding 2nd place overall in the Swiss Hill Championship, as well as 1st in the 2-liter engine class, which he wants to defend in Les Paccots.

We'll keep our fingers crossed!