By Putting aside the bad luck, misfortunes that struck him at Horice, 21st century German roads hero Didier Grams found the groove at the right time to gain IRRC Hengelo Superbike qualifying honours.
Sixth quickest during opening qualifying, the conclusion of the second timed session for Superbike competitors would see the BMW Motorrad stalwart register a timely boost in pace, lapping at 1 minute 46.608 seconds.
Prior to this late qualifying effort, Grams was just 0.050 clear of Q1 pace setter David Datzer (1.47.196) who ultimately finished 0.588 in arrears to his fellow countryman.
IRRC Superbike Championship leader Lukas Maurer, who went into this weekend’s action with a 28 point Championship lead (1.47.539) placed third fastest behind MTP Racing’s Datzer.
Maurer’s current lead title rival Marek Cerveny (1.48.024) took fourth on the combined qualifying times sheet.
IRRC Hengelo wildcard Davy Thoonen (1.48.281), former IRRC Supersport Champion Joey Den Besten (1.48.702) also showed solid, consistent form on route to finishing fifth, sixth quickest.
Qualifying positions 7th-10th were clinched by Virgil Amber Bloemhard (1.49.362), recently married Laurent Hoffmann (1.50.123), 2012 Newcomers A Manx GP winner Kamil Holan (1.50.200) and Dafit Moto Racing backed Ales Nechvatal (1.50.739).
IRRC Hengelo – overall Superbike qualifying result reads as follows:
1 Didier Grams – 1.46.608
2 David Datzer – 1.47.196
3 Lukas Maurer – 1.47.539
4 Marek Cerveny – 1.48.024
5 Davy Thoonen – 1.48.281
6 Joey Den Besten – 1.48.702
7 Virgil Amber Bloemhard – 1.49.362
8 Laurent Hoffmann – 1.50.123
9 Kamil Holan – 1.50.200
10 Ales Nechvatal – 1.50.739
11 Markus Karlsson – 1.50.741
12 Xavier Denis – 1.51.272
13 Patrick Hoff – 1.51.649
14 Marnix D’Hondt – 1.51.881
15 Eddy Ferre – 1.51.935
16 Marcel Elsner – 1.52.317
17 Jean Pierre Polet – 1.54.588
18 Olivier Lupberger – 1.54.931
19 Yannick Jacops – 1.54.949
20 Jarno Dijkstra – 1.55.959
21 Mark Purslow – 1.56.476
22 Vassilios Takos – 1.56.739
23 Mike Ceuppens – 1.57.522
24 Wayne Bourgeais – 1.57.816
25 Stephane Bednarek – 1.58.000
26 Andreas Bose – 1.58.846
27 Foti Psomadakis – 2.02.813
Photo credit: Robby Repsol
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
