By Another one for your 2027 diaries, 1st-2nd May, the Hengelo-Varsselring International Road Races commence (travel information – located at Hengelo Gelderland/Gld in Achterhoek region, not second biggest city, the same named as Hengelo, which is one hour drive from race venue).
Back in May, nice, spring weather greeted Friday’s meet & greet with rider in the centre of ‘Hengelo Gld’ and Saturday qualifying/opening races. The weather altered for races on Sunday as conditions turned changeable, wet.
2026 Hengelo race victors included Lukas Maurer x2 (ESR/BeNeLux Trophy Superbike), Marek Cerveny x2/Petr Najman/Jaimy Deleersnyder (IRRC Supersport/BeNeLux Trophy Supersport races), Jamie Williams/Wally Jacobs (IRRC Sportbike) and Elias Van Roekel/Sander Claessen (Belgian Twin Trophy).
Wes Kleinfeld (1.58.495) grasped IRRC Sportbike class lap record honours whilst the IRRC Supersport and BeNeLux Trophy Supersport lap-records both set in 2025, continue to-be-held respectively by former Duke Road Race Rankings Champion Derek McGee (1.49.111) and Jorn Hamberg (1.49.149).
Two years ago, during the 2024 Hengelo event edition, overall, Superbike, Newcomer record-times were-set by the late, great Luca Salvadori (1.45.259 – unofficial all-time lap record set during IRRC SBK qualifying – 1.45.033).
We patiently await, final confirmed 2027 classes for Hengelo-Varsselring. It is-expected that the IRRC (Supersport/Sportbike), Belgian Twin Trophy season openers will be there.
They were-supplemented this year by Classics IHRO, Two Stroke, BeNeLux Trophy Supersport, Northern Sidecar Cup, Camathias Cup and ESR/BeNeLux Trophy Superbike race bursts.
Already widely announced, solo 1000cc competition as at Belgian roads scene nirvana, Circuit De Chimay, is-no longer allowed despite race fans, teams, riders fondness for Superstock and Superbike metal.
Wishing organisers, everyone involved in the 59th Hengelo-Varsselring extravaganza a safe, successful, and prosperous time in 2027!
Photo credit: Jan Vavra
Words by Jan Vavra
