FIM Sidecar 600cc World Trophy.
Oschersleben, Germany
With bright sunshine the F2 sidecars sat on the grid for the start of the 10 lap sprint race. Although only 10 laps it would be hard as the temperatures were up in the high twenties.
As the lights went out it was Tim Reeves and Patrick Farrance who got the whole shot into the first corner. They were not to be threatened throughout the race distance on their “Tim Reeves Racing” DMR, Honda 600. They had a healthy lead throughout the race, but as the race was drawing to the end Reeves backed it off a bit, knowing the race win was theirs. Reeves and Farrance were to have the fastest lap of the race to a time of 1:38.273. After the race Tim said, “That was good, I enjoyed the race, I hope we can do the same in the second race later today”.
The battle for the final two podium spots was more intense. John Holden and Ashley Hawes on their “John Holden/Barnse Racing” LCR, Honda, seemed to be looking safe in second spot for the first half of the race, but Michael Grabmuller and Sophia Kirchhofer were catching on their “PSV Wels Delta Racing” LCR. By doing this Grabmuller/Kirchofer were dragging Alan Founds and Tom Peters on their “Team Founds Racing” LCR, Suzuki 600 closer too. It got to the final 2 laps of the race when things were hotting up between the three teams. Going into the first corner Founds/Peters were to go in a bit hot and contact between them and Holden/Hawes was to send Holden spinning off track; Hawes was to be spat out the back of the outfit without injury. Unfortunately Holden/Hawes were to retire from the race. This left Founds and Peters taking the final podium place, behind Grabmuller and Kirchhofer who took second place in the race, behind Reeves and Farrance.
Another good battle for fourth, fifth and sixth place was between Peter Founds and Stefan Werner on their “Team Founds RacingII” LCR, Suzuki 600. Gunther Bachmaier and Andy Kolloch on their “MSV Schwanenstadt” LCR, Suzuki 600. And Dwight Beare and Shelley Smithies on their “Clive Coates racing” LCR, Suzuki 600. It was Founds and Werner however were to get the better of Bachmaier and Kolloch for fourth place. With Bachmaier/Kolloch taking fifth just in front of a hard pushing Beare and Smithies who took sixth.
The second race for the Trophy will be a 15 lap Gold race starting at 18.40 local time.
Mark Walters