Eenrum beats the rain

FIM Long Track World Championship
Final 2 Eenrum (The Netherlands) 22nd August

Young French star Dmitri Berge was the winner of a rain-delayed Final 2 in Eenrum collecting a massive 27 points and taking him to second place in the intermediate classification but it was former champion Erik Riss who was the star of the show. The Bavarian was unbeaten through the qualifying races and only a clutch failure on the last bend in the Final prevented him from scoring a full maximum.  Local hero Jannick de Jong was the second placed rider with Wild Card Dirk Fabriek and Richard Hall filling the minor places.

In the past few years The Eenrum club have not enjoyed the best of fortune where the weather is concerned and this meeting which was due to have been raced on Sunday afternoon had to be postponed after heavy rain washed out any possibility of racing. The restaging on Monday morning was blessed with better conditions and an excellent track; racing was able to start at the unusual hour of 11.00 thanks to the hard work of the organising officials and track staff at MC Eenrum. Unfortunately, spectator numbers were affected but those who were able to attend were able to enjoy some exciting racing.

Berge’s victory moves him into second place behind the flying Riss and it may be more than coincidence that both riders are spending time on the speedway tracks this year. Current Champion de Jong finished second in the final but had a disappointing afternoon by his standards. Winning only one race he suffered a disqualification after a clash with Richard Hall Heat 4, damaging his machinery in the process. His haul of 19 points leaves him trailing the series leader by 11.

Theo Pijper also had a afternoon of fluctuating fortunes. Having won his first three races he appeared to be on course for a medal place but then, after some fuel problems, success deserted him and he failed to reach the final. His 14 points leave him with a major task if he is to be on the podium at the end of the series.

Richard Hall with his second consecutive final was easily the best of the British contingent and neither Glen Philipps nor Andrew Appleton was able to produce the form that they are capable of.  Similarly the Germans, apart from Riss, were a disappointment, failing to register a race win between them.

Current standings after two rounds:
•Erik Riss (Germany) 51 points
•Dmitri Berge (France) 40
•Jannick de Jong (The Netherlands) 40
•Richard Hall (Great Britain) 32
•Mathieu Tresarrieu (France) 29
•Theo Pijper (The Netherlands) 26

There will be little rest for the riders as the next meeting in the series takes place in Finland on Saturday. A preview will be posted shortly.

Graham Brodie