For over 90 years the fast flowing, also technically challenging roads of Chimay, have hosted top calibre pure road racing competition.
In the modern era, the well loved roads circuit in Belgium has since 2010, hosted a round of the International Road Racing Championship.
Photo by Robby Repsol
This years Open Trophy meeting, marks the fourth round of the 2019 running of Europe’s premier roads series.
Superbike Championship leader Davey Todd, who holds a healthy 29 points plus series lead, starts as one of the firm favourites for big bike success on Sunday.
The 2018 TT Privateers champion, a newcomer to Circuit De Chimay is certain to have strong competition from the likes of Wepol Racing team mate Marek Cerveny, Didier Grams and nearest at present title challenger, Markka Racing’s Erno Kostamo.
Photo by Robby Repsol
Don’t discount as well Switzerland’s Lukas Maurer, Ales Nechvatal, David Datzer, Tomas Borovka, Performance Racing Achterhoek’s Virgil Amber Bloemhard from contending for standout results.
Looking towards the IRRC Supersport races, expect championship leader Matthieu Lagrive, to have strong challenges from fellow countryman Pierre Yves Bian, local favourite Laurent Hoffmann and LSE Racing’s Christian Schmitz.
Additional ones to watch include Luca Gottardi, Ilja Caljouw, Optimark Road Racing’s Xavier Denis, leading Pikes Peak debutant Kamil Holan, event wildcards Jimmy Wauters and Lloyd Collins.
Outside the IRRC classes, Chimay also hosts this weekend high level Super Twins, Formula 1/Formula 2 Sidecars competition.
There’s also this weekend a three hour long Post Classic Endurance race, plus IPC 125/Classic Evo, Superbike first timer, national championship Superbike and Supersport races.
Photo by Robby Repsol
Established as one of mainland Europe’s most popular and prestigious roads venues, Chimay has attracted over the years many of motorcycle racing’s biggest stars.
At a glance just some of the star names to have enjoyed success at the circuit, which reminds me in parts of the legendary Spa Francorchamps include Michel Simeon, Giacomo Agostini, Barry Sheene, Johnny Cecotto, Rolf Biland, Jack Findlay and Fergus Anderson.
Competition is scheduled to get underway on Friday from 12:30 PM local time, which will be followed on Saturday by a full day of qualifying action, before a 16 race schedule takes place on Sunday.
Chimay Open Trophy, Practice/Qualifying/Race schedule is as follows:
26th July:
12:30-1:00 PM Post Classic Endurance first qualifying
1:10-1:30 PM BeNeLux Supersport Trophy practice
1:40-2:00 PM Superbike Youngtimer practice
2:10-2:30 PM BeNeLux Superbike Trophy practice
2:40-3:00 PM IPC 125-Classic Evo practice
3:10-3:30 PM IRRC Supersport practice
3:40-4:00 PM Belgian Twin Trophy practice
4:10-4:30 PM IRRC Superbike practice
4:40-5:00 PM Sidecars F1/F2 practice
5:10-5:30 PM Superbike Youngtimer first qualifying
5:40-6:10 PM Post Classic Endurance second qualifying
27th July:
08:00-08:20 AM BeNeLux Supersport Trophy first qualifying
08:30-08:50 AM IPC 125-Classic Evo first qualifying
09:00-09:20 AM BeNeLux Superbike Trophy first qualifying
09:30-09:50 AM Belgian Twin Trophy first qualifying
10:00-10:20 AM IRRC Supersport first qualifying
10:30-10:50 AM Sidecars F1/F2 first qualifying
11:00-11:20 AM IRRC Superbike first qualifying
11:30-11:50 AM Post Classic Endurance warm up session
12:20-12:40 PM BeNeLux Supersport Trophy second qualifying
12:50-1:10 PM Superbike Youngtimer second qualifying
1:20-1:40 PM BeNeLux Superbike Trophy second qualifying
1:50-2:10 PM IPC 125-Classic Evo second qualifying
2:20-2:40 PM IRRC Supersport second qualifying
2:50-3:10 PM Belgian Twin Trophy second qualifying
3:20-3:40 PM IRRC Superbike second qualifying
3:50-4:10 PM Sidecars F1/F2 second qualifying
4:45 PM Post Classic Endurance race – 3 Hours
28th July:
08:30 AM BeNeLux Supersport Trophy Race 1 10 Laps
09:05 AM Superbike Youngtimer 8 Laps
09:35 AM BeNeLux Superbike Trophy Race 1 10 Laps
10:10 AM IPC 125-Classic Evo Race 1 8 Laps
10:45 AM IRRC Supersport Race 1 10 Laps
11:20 AM Belgian Twin Trophy 8 Laps
11:55 AM IRRC Superbike Race 1 10 Laps
12:30 PM Sidecars F1/F2 Race 1 8 Laps
1:40 PM BeNeLux Supersport Trophy Race 2 10 Laps
2:15 PM Superbike Youngtimer Race 2 8 Laps
2:45 PM BeNeLux Superbike Trophy Race 2 10 Laps
3:20 PM IPC 125-Classic Evo Race 2 8 Laps
3:55 PM IRRC Supersport Race 2 10 Laps
4:30 PM Belgian Twin Trophy Race 2 8 Laps
5:05 PM IRRC Superbike Race 2 10 Laps
5:40 PM Sidecars F1/F2 Race 2 8 Laps
Words by Stevie Rial