By Before going full time covering pure road racing, I was aware of the International Road Racing Championship but perhaps not 100 percent appreciative of what it represents.
From small acorns grow great acorns, it’s been quite the journey for the IRRC, previously known as the Three Nations Cup from 2003 to 2009.
Since 2013, the IRRC which holds events presently in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic and Finland has grown and grown in stature, attracting diverse, world class entry lists featuring World Supersport, World Endurance, ex Moto GP talent.
Arguably the nearest series we have now in comparison to the defunct, Formula TT World Championship, you can’t underestimate the role it’s played, continues to play in increasing road racing’s transcendence worldwide.
Established IRRC icons include wins record holder Didier Grams, Czech ace Marek Cerveny, Laurent Hoffmann.
Twice successive Supersport Champion Matthieu Lagrive, Joey Den Besten, Sebastien Le Grelle and reigning Superbike Champion Vincent Lonbois.
Not forgetting of-course the UK’s IRRC Champions Danny Webb, Armoy ‘Race of Legends’ lap record holder Davey Todd.
The introduction of Imatranajo to the IRRC calendar, no question in my opinion was one of the IRRC organisers best decisions of recent times.
Road racing alongside the family atmosphere, camaraderie in the paddocks, exhilarating race action, showcasing motorsport in its’ purest form, is also about history and prestige and Imatranajo epitomises this.
Alongside the IRRC front runners, pilots to have graced Imatranajo post 2016 include Pauli Pekkanen, Sweden’s fastest TT competitor Bjorn Gunnarsson, Martin Jessopp, Michael Rutter, the late great Dan Kneen, Alex Polita, Jamie Coward and 21 times TT winner Michael Dunlop.
Now recognised as a high level, important series for manufacturers, could we soon see a UK based IRRC round?
This question remains, largely not answered what is answered though is that the IRRC is taken seriously now in the UK.
Remembering back to the mid 2010’s, Road Racing News was one of the few websites to cover the meetings.
Fast forward to now and helped by the achievements of racers including the aforementioned Danny Webb and Davey Todd, this is night and day different.
Photo credit: Robby Repsol
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
