Race day of the 2024 FIM Sidecarcross of Nations at Loket in the Czech Republic was another cold start to race day, but this time, the skies were clear. Morning warm-up set the scene for what we knew would be great racing on a well-prepared track. A good crowd, many dressed in national flags and traditional costume had spent the night in the campsite and were very much up for having a good time.
Words by Barry Nutley – Images courtesy of WSC
With three sidecar and three quad races to enjoy, there would be much to see, and we were broadcasting every moving moment of the action, with post-race interviews from the successful teams.
Race One (A+B) – A cracking start took Killian and Evan Prunier into an immediate lead which they were never to relinquish. The triple French Champions were on great form to round off the season. Marvin Vanluchene and Robbe de Veene slotted second up the hill, with Dan Foden/Josh Chamberlain alongside them. Foden moved ahead and Vanluchene spent a fair amount of effort closing the British crew down. He had to be careful because Koen Hermans/Ben van den Bogaart were making way up to the leaders from a slower start.
Koen admits he has not yet perfected the start technique with the new Mega engine. It was also another strong showing from the Normak/Kasesalu duo from Estonia, who proved difficult for them to pass. Once up to second place, Vanluchene settled and Hermans had then to contend with Foden. Twice he passed the British crew and twice they regained the position, once when Hermans got stuck in a rut behind them. Foden was able to get going quickly, but Hermans was not so lucky.
Tim Leferink was also making ground and looking threatening, as indeed were Tim Prummer and Jens Vincent. The German team had a good battle with Leferink and eventually made the pass.
At the same time, Hermans had regained his composure and leapt past Vanluchene on one of the back jumps, desperate to narrow the twenty-second deficit on race leaders Killian and Evan Prunier.
Going into the final lap, Prummer had closed on Foden, now in fourth place and made a serious downhill lunge to make the pass. There was heavy contact between the two outfits, resulting in strong words from the British crew. The result was a fourth place for Germany and a fifth for team GB.
Prunier’s victory was extremely impressive, with team-mates Hamard/Hupon following them home out of the top ten in fourteenth place.
Result
Race Two (B+C) – There were some big names in this one, so the start would once again be crucial. The opening race showed how difficult it was to overtake, and every position would count. Down went the gate and the charge up the hill was on. Gert Gordejev/Niki Debruyne again were electric out of the gate, with Brett Wilkinson/Joe Millard in hot pursuit.
Sanders/Steegmans were as reliable as ever. Always in the mix, and they were at the sharper end this time.
In fourth were the Lielbardis brothers with teammates Rupeiks/Liepins around mid-pack at this point. Very soon Wilkinson was in front with the Lielbardis brothers very much on his case. The newly crowned runners-up in the World Championship had a devastating turn of speed and hassled Wilkinson lap after lap. We were not to know, but on lay seven, the nut securing the main suspension pivot spindle on Wilkinson’s bike had broken, with the spindle then working its way out into the sidecar. Brett was obliged to keep it trapped with his left foot for the remainder of the race. Once the Latvians were past, they had opened a thirty-second lead by the flag.
Sanders and Tim Leferink/Dion Rietman had a good scrap, with the Weinmann brothers right with them as the race unfolded. These three teams were all on the same piece of track at the flag. Also prominent was the performance of team France with Auvray/Lebreton, heading compatriots Hamard/Hupon to sixth and seventh after a brilliant display of team solidarity.
Meanwhile, early fast starters Gert Gordejev/Niki Debruyne kept it alive and brought it home in eighth place. Stuart Brown for team GB finished ninth to back up his earlier tenth.
Result
Race Three (A+C) – This was another barnstorming race filled with star talent. New champion Vanluchene made no mistake from the gate but had two team GB outfits for company on the opening lap along with a very fast Koen Hermans. At this point of the competition, it was all very tight, with Gert van Werven having dropped out with engine troubles from the previous race.
He had made a rapid engine change and that proved crucial.
The Prunier brothers were right up in the chase and looking strong, when a mistake by Killian took him off the bike and into the ropes. They recovered to seventh behind their teammates Auvray/Lebreton.
Team Lielbardis, from being right at the front, also hit trouble when they had a problem with some deep stuff and dropped several places. It was hard to know where the next drama was coming from.
Dan Foden/Josh Chamberlain, along with Brett Wilkinson/Joe Millard were terrific throughout, keeping British hopes alive to the flag.
Tim Prummer was the one to spoil that particular dream as he nailed Foden on the final lap, adding a point to the British total in so doing. The German had a good weekend, and along with the Weinmann brothers and Adrian Peter/Joel Hoffmann did a respectable job for his country.
At the front though, Vanluchene was making no mistakes, and he and Hermans had a race-long battle once the Netherlands team members got close enough. That was where it ended, with these two teams way ahead and Brett Wilkinson/Joe Millard completing the race podium in a fine showing for team GB.
The weekend, despite the biting cold, was hailed an enormous success, and once again, Loket delivered.
Result
Overall
1st Team Netherlands
2nd Team Great Britain
3rd Team France
