The weather could not have been better for the start of Round 8 of the 2023 FIM World Sidecarcross Championship in Lommel, Belgium, if hot is what you like!!!
Report by Barry Nutley – Images courtesy of WSC
Qualifying day dawned without a cloud in the sky and soaring temperatures.
These would be testing conditions in the sand towards the end of a long race.
The group draw was evenly matched. Bax found himself drawn with Vanluchene, Keuben, and his start-line nemesis Prummer in Group “A”, with Hermans, Wilkinson Sanders and Van Werven heading Group “B”.
Timed Practice
A good crowd had assembled early in the morning, so the search for one fast lap had a good audience. The public address commentator kept the spectators well informed on developments. The fast riders in Group “A” quickly got to grips on track with Bax and Vanluchene both looking good. The electronic live timing was not operational for much of the session, but trackside, several teams looked impressive. Justin Keuben and Dion Rietman had the Zabel buzzing with a few fast laps, then they sat back.
They had done enough, having gone second fastest ahead of Etienne Bax and Ondrej Cermak who had a problem in the later stages. Top of the pile were Marvin Vanluchene/Nicolas Musset.
Group “B” was much the same as the teams most likely proved their worth.
Koen Hermans/Ben Van Den Bogaart having ripped up the track to take Heerde victory, also looked good here. Keeping them company were compatriots Tim and Sem Leferink closely followed by Thom Van de Lagemaat/Han Van Hal.
Britain’s Brett Wilkinson and Joe Millard were a very respectable fourth. Next sat Davy Sanders, Marco Heinzer and Gert Van Werven.
Hermans/Van Den Bogaart were indeed quickest and now could look forward to the qualifying races with optimism.
Qualifying race one
This was another short sprint from the gate to a right-handed turn one. Unlike last week, Etienne Bax beat Tim Prummer to the turn and flew round the opening lap. Marvin Vanluchene and Justin Keuben were next, from the Prunier brothers.
Next time around the Lielbardis twins were ahead of Prunier, and Vanluchene was up to second place chasing Bax/Cermak.
Bax was putting this one out of sight and stretching the lead back to Marvin. He in turn had a big gap from Tim Prummer and Jarno Steegmans who were holding off Keuben/Rietman, Lielbardis, Prunier and Mike Keuben/Zac Snell. Bax’s speed was phenomenal, and he kept the pressure on in front of an enthusiastic crowd of local support. Still Justin Keuben hunted and stalked Prummer but the German was steadfastly refusing to surrender. Having tasted a third place and a hole shot for the first-time last weekend, they were not about to go backwards.
The Lielbardis boys passed Keuben on lap ten, only for him to retake the place and continue the Prummer fight.
Into the final lap and Bax/Cermak were nearly thirty seconds clear at the front, as Vanluche/Musset consolidated a strong and safe second spot.
Killian and Evan Prunier held a fine sixth behind Daniel and Bruno Lielbardis. That was how it finished, with Bax/Cermak on a high!
Result
Qualifying race two
It was a flyer from Brett Wilkinson and Joe Millard to grab the lead at turn one. The left-handed chair seemed to work well in the sand. Koen Hermans and Ben Van Den Bogaart were giving a spirited chase. Wilkinson had some good lines and made the most of them.
Heinzer/Betschart were also good in certain places, as Wilkinson opened a gap at the front. The Leferink brothers made a passing move on Hermans and set after the race leaders. These three outfits pulled away with Sanders/Rostingt and Heinzer fighting over fourth. The Swiss crew got the verdict and made fourth theirs.
Meanwhile at the front, Hermans had got second wind and Leferink was pressing Wilkinson. This was a great race with the British crew taking it to the Dutch in their own back yard.
Next time round, Leferink was ahead, but Wilkinson passed him back on the run down to the start line area. This really suited the left sidecar, but equally there were other places where Leferink was strong.
This was a fantastic race, and the air-horns were going mad as the battle raged. Then Hermans was in front, moments later it was Wilkinson again, and that was how it finished. A superb victory in a hard race for the British crew.
Result
Race day tomorrow promises more of the same in ideal weather and track conditions. This will be a GP to remember. Don’t miss it.
