By Same as last year, the highlight of international road racer’s seasons, the Milwaukee Senior TT race, happens at the same time as second EWC round, at Belgium’s world acclaimed Spa-Francorchamps.
Start of prestigious 8 hours World Endurance Championship race is scheduled today, Saturday 7th of June, 12:30 PM (local time).
The legendary 4.340 miles (6985 metres) long Spa circuit, featuring the iconic section of ‘Raidillon de l´Eau Rouge’, hosts also this weekend BeNeLux (Belgium/Netherlands/Luxembourg) Trophy support races.
There are some interesting names with varying degrees, of pure road racing experience in this weekend’s EWC start-list, such as BSB star Dan Linfoot (2008 Macau Grand Prix competitor) – Yoshimura Sert Motul, Eemeli Lahti (Finnish rider in ESBK, fast as IRRC wildcard at Imatranajo and Schleizer Dreieck in recent years) – TR27 AZ moto.
Danny Webb (TT racer, 2018 IRRC Superbike Champion) – Team LRP Poland, Sheridan Morais (Macau GP 2022 podium finisher, Frohburger Dreieck experienced) – Motobox Kremer Racing #65, Kenny Koskinen (IRRC Superbike wildcard at Imatranajo 2024) – Pitlane Endurance #86.
David Drieghe (2014 Oostende IRRC Superbike race winner) – Infiniteam Flam Racing, Freddie Heinrich (2023,2024 Frohbuger Dreieck and 2024 Schleizer Dreieck IRRC Supebike wildcard) – JOJ Racing Parts, Karel Pesek (Horice, Stare Mesto, Dymokury, Kopcany very fast entrant) – Uniserv Moto 82 Team, plus Christopher Lequeux and Cedric Fievet (Chimay Open Trophy speedy exponents) – PRD Team CL racing.
Already mentioned, BeNeLux Trophy races, contain a lot of additional well-known names in road racing circles.
For example, IRRC 2025 permanent riders Manxman Jamie Williams and Czech rider Jakub Sprojcar plus Sebastien Le Grelle (2015,2017 IRRC Superbike Champion).
Jef Van Calster (young talented Belgian, racing in this seasons British Supersport Championship, IRRC Supersport lap record holder at Frohbuger Dreieck), Erwan Bannwart, Ouri Bikkems, Yan Ancia, Gian Mertens.
Martin Van Ruitenbeek, Mike Parmentier, Maarten De Jongh, Davy Maes, Kees Boekel, Wouter De Cooman, Roy Ruesen, Kurt Muzzoni, Roy Muzzoni, Thierry Vanhollebeke, Eddy Takkenkamp and Peter Lionel.
Next stop of EWC after Spa will be the 46th Coca-Cola Suzuka 8 Hours (1st-3rd August) edition.
BeNeLux Trophy will continue at Motor Revival Zolder (21st-22nd June) alongside Belgian Twin Trophy action before a very important meet for road racing fans, the Chimay Open Trophy (26th-27th July), hosting IRRC plus Belgian Twin Trophy/EST-RRC races.
Photo courtesy of EWC press team
Words by Jan Vavra
