Building for the future

Swiss Hutless has been a major player in karting for several decades. The Swiss manufacturer, which is known the world over for its state of the art chassis, has one of the most impressive records in karting history. With a number of European and World titles to its credit, Swiss Hutless now has its sights set firmly on the future.

Its factory in Lyss, not far from Bern, is operating at full capacity in order to meet the constant demand from Swiss Hutless importers and distributors around the world, as it does each year. The company has also embarked upon an ambitious programme that will see its organisation streamlined into a more competitive and proactive unit. In a few weeks ago, production, assembly, warehousing and administrative departments will be gathered under one roof in modern, more functional buildings, making for increased synergy between them. This led to a transitional period that inevitably affected operations, in particular, the competition department.

The new management had this to say about the situation: “Nicola de Cola, who was in charge of our competition department, decided to leave us just as the 2007 season was starting. Some of our mechanics have left, while others decided to stay. This made it very hard for us to carry on as before. In the first instance we sought arrangements to allow the drivers contracted to us to find a drive elsewhere. The season nevertheless saw us well represented in the various European championships and now we are actively preparing our return on an official basis.”

So rivals, you have been warned ! Swiss Hutless intends to be back amongst the elite in 2008. “At present, we offer a whole range of high performance chassis models,” explained one of the company’s technicians. “Alban Varutti’s 3rd spot in the last Winter Cup proved that the work we did last winter was fruitful. We have come up with some really good technical solutions and we shall continue to work alongside those teams that have chosen to stay with us, as we continue to develop our products.” For example, we will be working with the Engineering schools in Biel and Bern, who will be putting powerful modern computing and production facilities at our disposal.

The results are promising
Swiss Hutless obtained brilliant results in numerous national championships in the KF1, KZ2, KF2, KF3 and Rotax classes, as well as in the Bridgestone Cup. The Swiss manufacturer will be looking to confirm this success at the last two big meetings of the season, in Sarno (Italy) and in Mariembourg (Belgium). After an excellent 9th place during the recent qualifying round in Essay, Yves von Aesch from Switzerland will be one to watch in the European KF3/Junior championships, as well as Teemu Petjoi from Finland, who drove a brilliant race in Genk to finish 6th. Then it will be the turn of Finn Jaakko Kainulainen in the KF1 world championship. He will be racing alongside famous compatriot Simo Puhakka, who has also decided to go with Swiss Hutless for the season’s top event.

The management of Swiss Hutless is fully aware of the importance of being involved in competition in order for the company to retain its dynamism and continue developing its product lines, as well as diversify its activities and promoting its corporate image. “Karting is a great sport. It is professionally run and offers a superb spectacle, full of thrills. A revitalised Swiss Hutless is raring for competition and out for revenge. We are up for it, we have something to prove,” was the rallying message from the management of the famous Swiss works.

The new Swiss Hutless catalogue for 2007-2008 is available from Swiss Hutless sales outlets everywhere. See www.swisshutless.com to download the catalogue and place an order.