Bolliger Switzerland’s 35-year fascination with Endurance

For 35 years, Hanspeter Bolliger and his team have been competing with unflagging determination. “A lot of things have changed in 35 years,” Hanspeter admits. “The whole thing has become much more professional, and places are fiercely contested. But I go into each season with the same motivation and enthusiasm as before. Racing still exerts the same fascination.”

Neck and neck with the top teamsThis tenacity has enabled Team Bolliger Switzerland to compete alongside the factory teams. Since 2001 Bollinger has taken part in every race of the FIM EWC championship, twice picking up the title of world vice-champion, right behind SERT, in 2005 and 2010. The small Swiss team also took third spot on the championship podium in 2009 and 2014.

As with all privateers, the search for funds takes up a lot of time and energy. “As a small Swiss private team, it will always be more difficult for us to find money,” says Hanspeter. “We do not have any racetracks in Switzerland, because motor races are banned in our country. So of course no Swiss companies are interested in us, because we only race abroad. We owe our success to our long-term sponsors. We have counted on them for years. It is also an advantage for us that we have been able to compete with the same experienced riders and mechanic crew for years.”

Targeting the Top 5After a shaky start to the 2016-2017 season at the Bol d’Or, Team Bolliger Switzerland’s current objective is to score a podium place at Le Mans in order to target a Top 5 spot at the end of the season.

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