By As we build up to day one of competition within the 2019 IRRC series at Hengelo, just some of the interesting bits of recent IRRC news include the confirmed list of this weekend’s event wildcards, which include Performance Racing Achterhoek’s Frank Gallagher.
22nd in last June’s Pokerstars Senior TT, accomplished Mountain Course exponent Gallagher maiden tenure on the Varsselring course, is not only his first IRRC venture, his first voyage to Hengelo, it’s also his first pure road racing stint outside UK and Manx shores.
Joining Gallagher as wildcard entrants in this Sunday’s IRRC Superbike encounters, include prospective TT debutant David Datzer, Marcel Elsner, Joefrey Bonafede, local star Thijs Peeters and the Belgian trio of Gian Piero Bianco and Morgan Baplu.
Supersport wildcards to watch include Slovenia’s Leonard Mesojedec, former North West 200 rostrum finisher Renzo Van Der Donckt and potential Manx GP newcomer Ivo Ladde.
Clashing with competition at Hengelo this weekend, is the latest round of the World Superbike Championship, at Imola, Italy.
Did you know a current top level WSB competitor has previously competed at Hengelo, can you name who it is? Well the answer is none other than current works Yamaha racer, Michael Van Der Mark.
Others you might not have realised who have sampled over the years, the Netherlands most famous roads event, include Scott Deroue, Gino Rea, Steve Webster MBE, Klaus Klaffenbock, Ian Lougher, Niall Mackenzie, Rolf Biland and Graziano Rossi, father of Moto GP legend Valentino Rossi.
Reminder 17 races are scheduled to take place this weekend at Hengelo, including the nine lap IRRC Supersport, Superbike encounters.
Photo by Robby Repsol
Qualifying action begins tomorrow at UK time wise at 07:30 AM, whilst Netherlands time wise competition gets underway 1 hour in front, at 08:30 AM.
Prior to qualifying, race action, local, globe trotting race fans in attendance will have a chance today to meet their heroes, with the riders parade taking place tonight (Netherlands time) at 7:00 PM.
Words by Stevie Rial
