115 drivers registered for the competition, 107 competitors joined the Administrative Check-in. The most emotions will be aroused by the next duel between ‘king’ of hill-climb races, Simone Faggioli (ITA Norma M 20 FC) and last year’s European champion, Christian Merli (ITA, Osella FA 30 Zytek LRM). In the classification of FIA EHC, they both have the first places in category 2, each 175 points (performance cars and bolides). Christian Lampert, who is third in general classification (AUT, Osella FA 30) will drive with number 2. The leaders of Category 1 (production cars) Antonio Miglioulo (ITA) Mitsubishi Lancer EVO IX), Lukas Vojacek ( CZE, Subaru Impreza WRX STI) and Jan Miloň ( CZE, McLaren 650S GT 3) will also appear in Limanowa.
The Director of 11 Limanowa Hill-Climb Race – Ostra Mountain Pass is the President of Limanowa Auto Moto Club, Bogdan Pałka (POL), FIA Observer is Kevin Ferner (DEU), the Observer of ASN Poland is Bogusław Piątek and the head of the Stewards is Włodzimierz Szaniawski (POL).
The record of the route, that is 5493 m long, belongs to Christian Merli whose time result is 1:51,398, with the average speed 180 km/h.
The leaders of Polish Hill-Climb Championship will participate in the Race. Among them, there is Szymon Łukaszczyk ( POL, Mitsubishi Lancer EVO V AMS), the second Tomasz Myszkier ( POL, Skoda Fabia) and the third Waldemar Kluza ( Skoda Fabia). Among historic cars, there is BMW 318 IS led by the leader Marcin Kacperek (POL).
The Organizer prepared many additional attractions for fans. Special buses will drive to viewpoints. Fans of virtual races will fight on professional driving symulator which shows the copy of Limanowa route. During the intervals between trainings and races, fans will admire bolides built by the students of Cracow University of Science and Technology and The Silesian Technical University, and electric cars made available by the Partner of the Race, TAURON Polish Energy company. Małopolska Voivodeship prepared contests of knowledge of the region with attractive gifts.
Michał Sikora, President of Polish Motor Association: I am very glad to welcome you at 11th Limanowa Hill-Climb Race – Ostra Mountain Pass which is 9th Round of FIA European Hill-Climb Challenge, 5th and 6th Rounds of Polish Hill-Climb Championhip (GSMP). For the sixth time in a row, Limanowa County hosts the fastest drivers from all over the continent and thousands of fans from Poland and Europe. Joint effort and work of local authorities, Limanowa Auto Moto Club and the Polish Motor Association translate into an increasing turnout among foreign drivers and fans.
Limanowa welcomes FIA technical group that is responsible for implementing Performance Factor – a new system of technical classification of racing cars which is to replace present quite complicated groups and classes.
The Saturday trainings start at 9.00
9:00 1st training ( GSMP), free training (EHC)
11:30 2nd training ( GSMP, EHC)
14:00 1st race ( GSMP), training (FIA)
After completing the race, 2nd race (GSMP) and training (EHC).
30 minutes after completing 2nd race, opening ceremony of FIA EHC, prize giving for 5th Round of GSMP.
Tomasz Urynowicz, Vice-Marshall of Małopolska Voivodeship:
The names of Robert Kubica, Rafał Sonik, Justyna Kowalczyk, Rafał Majka, Kamil Stoch, and the sisters Radwańskie, clearly testify to the sporting potential of the region. People who prefer to spend their time actively than to support drivers have a wide selection. Małopolska is the perfect place for those who like active rest. Małopolska, apart from natural values, also offers a rich and modern sports infrastructure. The region has long been the national leader in the construction of cycle paths. They were designed in such a way that individual routes ran through the entire voivodeship and the main cities of the region. They allow lovers of two wheels to reach the most interesting tourist and nature places in Małopolska.
Online results and route preview from webcams: www.wysciggorski.pl www.gsmp.pzm.pl www.wyniki-online.pl report from the competition also on the radio, on FM 100.3.