Weather conditions were perfect for Saturday of the Netherlands GP weekend of the 2023 World Sidecarcross Championship and was expected to stay fine for both days. The track in Heerde lived up to expectations throughout free practice and all the preliminary sessions.
Report by Barry Nutley – Images courtesy of WSC
It dug out very quickly after the support sidecars had done their early morning practice, leaving a well-worked surface for the GP teams to contend with.
Free training saw several top teams going well, with Koen Hermans/Ben Van Den Bogaart looking strong from the word go, as indeed did Etienne Bax/Ondrej Cermak. In the second session, Justin Keuben/Dion Rietman led the way with Jason Van Daele, Tim Prummer and Brett Wilkinson very much on the same page.
Timed Practice (pre-qualifying)
The quest for that fast lap is what they were all intent upon with thirty minutes in which to register an all-important gate slot.
Group “A” – Marvin Vanluchene/Nicolas Musset set the early standard with a 1.59.882 lap. It was important to get a good time in the bag before the track deteriorated further. That time remained unrivalled, so they were home and dry early on. They had a red plate to defend and an unbeaten record to uphold, so the start would be vital. Bax/Cermak were close behind, less than half a second adrift with Gert Van Werven and Robbe de Veene both coming back on form in the sand. Koen Hermans was also up there at half distance.
These conditions, whilst being tough and physical, would offer some relief to those teams who found the two early hard-pack tracks in Spain and Portugal challenging.
Group “B” – Justin Keuben/Dion Rietman were visibly quicker on parts of the track where it could be gunned, and that paid dividends getting them on top from lap three. Deep ruts were opening, but the width of the track made it completely possible to find new lines. Once again, the early times would not be bettered, and participation diminished as the session wore on. Tim Prummer and Jarno Steegmans headed Daniel Willemsen/Avair van de Wiel, with Jason Van Daele/Kostas Beleckas fourth fastest. A surprise fifth fastest was logged by returning retiree Carlo van Duijnhoven with Rodolphe Lebreton, our very versatile French passenger alongside.
Keuben by now had his boots off, resting safe in the knowledge he had done enough. They were half a second off Vanluchene, so that was inspiring for what came later.
Qualifying race Group “A” – The sun was out; the crowd was growing, and the excitement was electric as the gate dropped for the first qualifying shoot-out. Etienne Bax got the hole shot and looked every bit his old self leading after lap one. Koen Hermans/Ben Van Den Bogaart were, however, on his case and went by on lap two.
The red plate holder was not so lucky, having a couple of incidents which dropped him to almost last place. From that moment on, Marvin and Nicolas had to fight through with Nicolas bearing the scars of battle and a torn shirt.
Van Werven/de Veene were a strong third ahead of the Leferink and Lielbardis brothers. Heinzer/Betschart came next before Mulders/Van Deutekom and another set of brothers, the Prunier boys from France.
Meanwhile, back at the front, and the old Bax was back in business with a great move on Hermans to retake the lead. With five minutes left on the clock, he was one second clear, with Vanluchene already up to ninth place.
With three laps remaining, the reigning champions were almost two seconds ahead and going like a train. Heinzer moved ahead of Lielbardis into fifth place as Vanluchene pegged two more places. He was not going down without a fight.
Bax’s confidence was building, and he was suddenly back at home in the sand where he belongs. The qualities which earned him his titles were back for all to see. This was a measured and forceful display, although it did look at one point as if Hermans/Van Den Bogaart had his measure. These two crews were well clear and in a class of their own at the flag.
Result
Qualifying race group “B” – It was a flying start by Justin Keuben/Dion Rietman to gain the holeshot from Daniel Willemsen/Avair de Wiel and Dan Foden/Ryan Humphrey. The British pair were riding well and looked strong. Brett Wilkinson/Joe Millard had a dreadful start and were obliged to ride a sand-filled race through the field. They eventually battled through to fifth.
Tim Prummer/Jarno Steegmans hung in to claim fourth and eventually third place when Dan Foden went missing around half distance. Willemsen/de Wiel closed on Keuben at the front, but the leaders sensed the danger, pulling out a six second lead going into the final two laps.
Carlo van Duijnhoven’’s comeback GP ended in a crash at two-thirds distance, which upended the outfit taking them out of contention.
Up to that point he was in a good position holding his own with the top runners. Another crash victim was Jason van Daele, who with Kostas Beleckas promised much. They will need to take part in what will be a star-studded last chance race.
Davy Sanders/Luc Rostingt sat a strong fourth, keeping Wilkinson at bay to the flag.
At the front, the winning margin for Keuben was eventually over ten seconds, but just one week after his birthday, the veteran Willemsen showed he still has what it takes to run at the front with the best in the world.
George Kinge/Lewis Gray and Michael Hodges/Jack Wilkinson finished seventh and eighth respectively, behind sand-masters Stephan Wijers/Loet van der Putten. This all adds up to a great GP tomorrow with Bax returning to form, Hermans flying, Keuben holding his brilliant form and Vanluchene playing catch-up – and this is just the beginning!!
Result
Last Chance – It was time to fight for the last grid positions, and it’s always against the clock.
There was little doubt as to who might make the cut, as there were just enough teams to make a grid of thirty, so this was about gate position.
Dan Foden and Ryan Humphrey were quickest with a good performance by an injured Sven Wisselelink/Jens Vincent.
Everyone else fought and earned their reward. The top six will go through.
Result
Tomorrow is a big day, so stay with us to keep up with the action and all the news as it happens here on www.fimsidecarcross.com
