By Leaving aside the discussion about the inappropriately announced, last Saturday, end of the IRRC Superbike class from 2026 onwards (previously reported on Road Racing News), it’s countdown time towards the Czech TT, fourth round of this year’s IRRC season.
The boys are back in town at the world acclaimed, Czech, Horice road-race circuit.
Don’t be surprised if you will meet in the paddock this week, Didier Grams (IRRC SBK Champion 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2021) and David Datzer (2024 IRRC Superbike Champion).
Unfortunately, both will not be racing but good news for road racing fans, is that David ‘Datziii’ Datzer, overall, Horice lap-record holder (2.12.041) is well on his way to a full recovery, undertaking recently first racing bike-test since Stare Mesto incident, aiming to return to Manx shores for TT 2026.
So, who should we look out for as favourites, for Superbike honours this weekend?
(PB Horice lap time positioned near racers names)
IRRC SBK Championship leader, Performance Racing Achterhoek’s Adam McLean (2.16.220 with Supersport) who opens 1000cc Horice racing account, current second placed competitor in IRRC SBK standings, Never Be Clever Racing’s Darryl Tweed (2.21.396 on Supersport / 2.22.067 in big bike qualifying last year, did not start in races) are potential race winning, podium finishing candidates.
RVS Motorsport’s Erno Kostamo (2.12.449) joins McLean, Tweed as a stern higher end leader board contender. The ‘King of Imatra plus collector of solid, consistent, noteworthy results in 2025 at the TT, Northwest 200, Southern 100 and Armoy, is the second quickest rider in Horice racing history, making him the fastest racer on this year’s entry-list.
Two top draw last minute additions to the provisional start-list, wild-carding in IRRC races have the undoubted credentials, pace injection to also fight for podiums or better, 2023 IRRC Superbike Champion Lukas Maurer (2.13.220) and Slovakian former stunt rider, winner of SBK-race during 300 Curves of Gustav Havel from last May, Tomas Toth (2.16.786).
Added possible rostrum attainers include Bavarian talent Johannes Schwimmbeck (2.15.538), Czech aces Kamil Holan (2.15.762), Karel Pesek (2.16.423), fastest Swedish exponent of Horice Markus Karlsson (2.16.331).
Laurent Hoffmann (2.17.296), quickest Austrian pilot Florian Astner (2.18.886), Anssi Koski from Finland (2.19.300) or German racers Nico Muller (2.19.510) with Rene Grundei (2.19.926).
Stephane Bednarek (2.21.114), Emil Krchnavy (2.21.439), Pontus Roestlinger (2.21.677), Olivier Lupberger (2.21.967), Dominik Haslinger (2.22.579) or Lasse Karki (2.22.880) are not to be discounted from scoring stellar-quality finishes.
Same applies to three possible trump cards, debutants Fedrik Matthys, David Brook and Morgan Baplu or still improving, fresh from Luckendorfer Hill Climb, Thomas ‘Uccio’ Altendorfer (2.24.290) who is supervised by rider coach, team-chief, the above-mentioned David Datzer.
Others on the provisional start-list, deserving our respect include Czech youngster Maxim Zanaska (2.23.544 on Supersport, this weekend premiere with Superbike in Horice), Wally Jacobs (2.23.494), Martin Hajek (2.23.839), Jakub Sprojcar (2.23.750), Christoph Kreller (2.24.140).
Jean Pierre Polet (2.24.216), Rob Van Eijs (2.24.569), Bohdan Schaal (2.24.990), Michal Podrabsky (2.25.499), Jan Myslivecek (2.26.163) and Rene MIkvy (2.29.933).
Probably the last IRRC Superbike action in Horice for a while, lets enjoy the pending thrills, exhilaration, watching true superheroes excelling!
Photo credit: Nick Wheeler
Words by Jan Vavra
