By Not long since the trials, tribulations of TT 2026, happier moments at Oliver’s Mount, Barry Sheene Festival, three-wheeling stars (twelve crews entered – drivers/passengers from six nations) are this week ready to show Sidecar racing at its’ best at Nordic Nations top road race, Imatranajo.
Sidecars (known in Finland as ‘Sivuvaunt’), year in year out enthral event spectators and more of the same is a guarantee with a start-list, featuring:
Eight-times Imatra Sidecar race winner, lap-record holder (2.04.918 with Kirsi Kainulainen), Five-times World Champion Pekka Paivarinta, racing aside UK passenger Adam Christie.
Reigning World Champions Sam Christie/Tom Christie, eight times World Champion Tim Reeves with French co-pilot Melanie Farnier.
2015 World Champion Bennie Streuer with Manon Vissenberg, Finnish aces Marku Artiola/Pia Koskela and Tero Manninen/Jaana Soopa.
Imatranajo Sidecars, provisional starters list – is outlined below:
(Title sponsor positioned near racers names)
Marko Hurme (Finland) / Ville Hurme (Finland) – DRD Pro Racing Team/Motorsport Racing Ry
Pekka Paivarinta (Finland) / Adam Christie (England) – Hanni Racing
Jaanus Saarmaa (Estonia) / Sander Telve (Estonia) – SK Suzuki Team Estonia
Enn Lahker (Estonia) / Maarko Piirlaid (Estonia) – SK Suzuki Team Estonia
Bennie Streuer (Netherlands) / Manon Vissenberg (Netherlands) – Bennie Streuer Racing
Sam Christie (England) / Tom Christie (England) – Team Christie Racing/CES Performance
Markku Artiola (Finland) / Pia Koskela (Finland) – Artiola Sidecar Racing
Geir Johnsen (Norway) / Sophie Sattelberger (Norway) – Arthur Racing/Hawks
Jaakko Heiskari (Finland) / Hanne Heiskari (Finland) – Tyrnava Motor Racing
Tim Reeves (England) / Melanie Farnier (France) – Carl Cox Motorsport
Tero Manninen (Finland) / Jaana Soppa (Finland) – Manninen Sidecar Racing
Jari Vainionkukka (Finland) / Iina Musakka (Finland) – Unlimited Sports Racing Team/Motorsport Racing Ry
Words by Jan Vavra
