3rd ESC race in VolaryIn the East and on a Supermoto track – a pledge for variety!
This time it was up to Austria to stage the next race of the ESC. Stoffi’s Garage and team were charged with organizing the event. This task should prove more difficult than expected as the rules for staging such an event, especially concerning noise limits, are either very strict or the costs involved are horrendous. Eventually, we thus headed for the Czech Republic and a Supermoto track run by a native German. This was the result of a bright idea of Michi P., one of our team members.
The event took place on the weekend of 18 to 20 August 2006. Stoffi and Michi P. were the first to arrive on Friday and started off by pitching the tent, surveying and modifying the track and preparing the riders registration. When Zini and me got there at about 6pm four persons were sitting at the round table and waiting. It was not until 8pm that the racing teams and their supporters were arriving one by one. Registration under my supervision and the technical inspection run by Zini and Michi P. proceeded smoothly on Friday. Frozen to the marrow, we finally headed for our hostel at about 11pm.
Saturday morning arrived with more of the same routine starting at 8am. I was really relieved to have the support of my friend Katrin (from my hometown Landshut) as the organization on Saturday should turn out to become quite stressful. Our schedule was rather tight as the use of the outdoor facilities was only allowed from 10am to 12am and from 1.30pm to 5pm. The actual race timetable started at 9.15am with the usual riders’ conference. Free training began at 10am followed by the qualifying for the individual classes from 10.40am to 12am. The distribution of the transponders among the riders turned out to be the toughest job as we had only 19 of the originally intended 20 pieces available. This meant that we had to set up a plan for the transponder allocation in not time at all. The overall number of 59 riders was a real success as some of the teams had to travel quite long distances. The largest number of riders, 26 overall, again signed up for class 2. We thus grouped the weaker riders of class 2 in class 1. Nevertheless, all riders in class 2 behind fourth position were really close in terms of lap times.
The track was a season highlight. It was situated in a run-down industrial estate without much ambience. It led around a collapsed hall with two hairpin bends, a long straight for top speed, two in-fields and an eye of a needle framed by hay bales. The track has something for everyone’s taste, among other things also potholes and speed bumps. Surely, some riders got scared while surveying the track during the riders’ conference.
Some first critical voices were heard, but by the end of the training runs the atmosphere got more enthusiastic as both training and qualifying took place without any severe crashes.
Originally, I intended to start in the Fun-/Ladies class (class 6) again, but unfortunately the organization took a lot more time than expected. Therefore, I handed my T5 and the corresponding leather suit over to my friend Nobs (who arrived from Landshut together with Katrin) to compete in class 6. He had already raced in class 3 at Liedolsheim at the Stoneheads Run & Race in 2004. Finally, the first run of Group I (class 1 + 2) started at 1.30pm. Klaus (Blues S. C. RT) held the pole position with a terrific qualifying time. However, he gave it all away after a bad manoeuvre in the first hairpin bend. After an interesting first race the classification of class 1 read as follows: Neuberger, Hillebrecht, Düring.
The race continued with the long-awaited first run of Group II (class 2). Juergen H. (Mad Max RT) started from pole position, followed by Veit (Team Challenger) and Stoffi (Stoffi’s Garage + SIP Scootershop Racing Team). The start always took the riders spectacularly from the long straight directly towards the spectators into the first left bend. Juergen had a good start, followed by Stoffi and Veit. Stoffi managed to take the lead from Juergen by a surprising and daredevil overtaking manoeuvre, while losing it due to some gear changing mistakes shortly afterwards. Another attempt to catch up with Juergen failed. The finish reads as follows: Huber, Maier, Haecker.
During the first run of Group III (class 3 + 4), Falco (Stoneheads S. C. RT) would defend his favourite position in class 3, as would Mats (Stoffi’s Garage RT) in class 4 with another fastest qualifying time on his Lambretta (55.8 sec). Michi P. (Stoffi’s Garage + SIP Scootershop Racing Team) tried to catch up, but his scooter once more touched the tarmac several times (during the day). Michi P. found a new and strong competitor in class 4 in Andreas (Stoneheads S. C. RT): his new leather suit worked as a strong positive influence and took him to his awesome performances. Nothing really new with the classification: class 3 Engelfried, Klossek, Betz and class 4 Engeler, Büttner, Genesius.
Finally, Group IV (class 6), a small but nice group consisting of six competitors, half of them girls – unfortunately without me! Nobs acted as an excellent substitute, way better, with a start/finish victory. Classification: Krimmel, Frey, Buismann.
The second rounds proceeded with a familiarly spectacular atmosphere. Personally, I am delighted with the internal duels between the riders, no matter what position is at stake, all that counts is fun and sportsmanship.
During the second run of class 2, Stoffi was eager to win against Juergen. At first, things turned out pretty well for Stoffi, but unfortunately he skidded out of the last bend and had to let the whole starting field pass by. Another chase was thus on. While Stoffi fought his way back from the rear and Juergen rode an easy race at the front, a tough duel took place between Gloeckl (Pacemakers S. C. RT), Zini (Stoffi’s Garage + SIP Scootershop Racing Team) and Alex H. (Stoneheads S. C. RT) for the other positions. Veit, who was unfortunately crash-prone, had to start from the middle of the field several times. Finally, Gloeckl was able to win the threesome by an amazing overtaking manoeuvre. Stoffi was able to secure fifth position, after Huber, Gloeckl, Haecker and Zinnoecker.
Mike B. (Low Rider RT) provided another surprise with an overall second place in class 3, while avoiding any of his typical crashes.
On short notice, it was decided that I should participate in the second race of Group IV. A funny exchange thus emerged – Nobs got out of my leather suit and into Zini’s while I started wearing my leather suit riding Zini’s scooter, which he kindly let me ride. I was really nervous at the start. First of all, I had never practiced on the track up to this point, and in addition, I was riding a scooter that belonged to somebody else. I started from the last line and always gave way virtuously, especially when Katrin (Team Challenger) and Brigitta (Blues S. C. RT) overtook me on both sides left and right. Unfortunately, Katrin crashed because of a brake failure during the last round, but without any further consequences. The small bunch arrived as follows: Krimmel, Wertz, Buismann.
Mats won the subsequent Best of All followed by Marco and Stoffi, and additionally gained a sensational fastest lap of 54.6 sec during the day – totally unobtrusive, but confident!
After the award ceremony, which took place in the restaurant on the track at 7pm, Stoffi’s Garage invited the whole crowd to free beer until the bottom of the last barrel. Stoffi and me acted as DJ’s, although somewhat limited by a slow DVD player, as the sound system that was brought along could not be connected. The guys from Deggendorf once again provided for a terrific beer tent atmosphere.
At the end, I would like to say thanks again to all helpers, especially Marcel, Hexe and Hans (track staff), who made sure that the event went by smoothly.
Congratulations to Mats Engeler (Stoffi’s Garage RT) class 4 and Falco Engelfried (Stoneheads S. C. RT) class 3 for their early championship victory.
The last race of the ESC season will take place from 9 to 11 September at the Harzring, organizers will be Team Challanger. The highly anticipated championship titles of class 1 and class 2 will be decided there.
Author: Susan Schlums
Photos: Robin Koch www.robin-koch.de
Picture gallery Volary 2006 (CZ)
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Sep 19 2006, 10:44
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