By About an hour’s drive from the French border, Hockenheimring (first opened in 1932) is a traditional German racetrack near the city of Hockenheim.
Grand Prix motorcycle racing for various years commenced here with famous winners like TT Champions Carlo Ubbiali, John Surtees, Ernst Degner, Gary Hocking, Hugh Anderson, Tarquinio Provini, Jim Redman, Luigi Taveri, Mike Hailwood, Ralph Bryans, Giacomo Agostini, Phil Read.
Last weekend the Hockenheimring (2.294 miles long layout) hosted the 2024 IDM Championship finale.
Some known names for road racing fans competing included:
Martin Vugrinec (Croatian rider, Prize of Krizevci experienced), IRRC Schleiz Superbike wild card riders last June, Julius Ilmberger, Marc Neumann who took part in the IDM Superbike category.
Young Belgian riders Sasha De Vits (rapid on Super Twins tackle at Chimay, Hengelo in past years), Jef Van Calster (2024 BeNeLux Supersport Champion, new IRRC Supersport lap record holder of Frohburger Dreieck and race two winner from previous weekend there) are 10th, 18th respectively in final ranking of IDM Supersport pilots.
Victory at the Hockenheimring, overall, second place in Yamalube Yamaha R7 Cup Championship went to Felix Kauertz, a podium finisher last year in Twin Cup encounter at Frohburg.
The Pro Superstock 1000 field contained IRRC Superbike Frohburger Dreieck wild cards like Jan Buchel, Daniel Widmer, Udo Reichmann, Freddie Heinrich plus two times winner of Twin Cup races at Frohburg in 2024, Justin Hanse.
The list of pure road racing experienced competitors continues, Sheridan Morais (Frohburger Dreieck and 2022 Macau GP podium finisher), Ricardo Brink (Hengelo-Varsselring experienced), IRRC Superbike Schleizer Dreieck 2024 wild cards Micky Winkler, Thomas O’Grady and Martin Van Ruitenbeek.
Twin Cup class riders, fresh from Frohburger Dreieck circulations, Timo Kruger (1st), Till Weiss (2nd), Filip Kukic (3rd), Daniel Stache (4th), Lukas Moller (5th), Marvin Larsen (6th).
(Final ranking within 2024 Twin Cup series near racer’s names below and above)
Gianni Debole (7th), Paul Friese (8th), Jochen Mader (9th), Rene Wobst (11th), Mirko Skeide (12th), Reinhard Kebben (14th), Siegfried Krause (16th) and Michael Gotz as a guest rider.
It’s always good to see IDM affiliated riders taking in real road races, increasing the competition. Don’t be surprised to see more of this in 2025, with formidable competitors dabbling with closed roads outings.
Speaking of roads scene riders, one of Germany’s most successful, most popular is IRRC wins record holder Didier Grams, a previous IDM Superbike Championship mainstay.
On the road to recovery after his widely publicised incident at Frohburg, we wish him a very speedy, quick return to action. Stay strong Didi!
Photo credit: Michael Wincott
Words by Jan Vavra
