By 70 years ago, the original Assen street-circuit ‘Van Drenthe’ was closed and in that same year, 500cc Grand Prix honours were acquired by lap record holder, the legendary Geoff Duke.
It was replaced by permanent ‘Dutch TT’ Grand Prix circuit in 1955 where Moto GP is still held today after some changes of layout over the years. Last weekend Assen hosted the fifth round of IDM (Internationale Deutsche Maisterschaft) intertwined with a Sidecar World Championship round.
There were well known names on track for road racing fans, during IDM affiliated races.
Superbike action included ‘Prize of Krizevci’ experienced Croatian star Martin Vugrinec, IRRC SBK wild card at Schlezier Dreieck, Julius Ilmberger and Rob Hartog (nephew of legendary Dutch rider, 1978 Scarborough Gold Cup winner Wil Hartog).
Two talented young Belgian riders with road races’ skills tackled the IDM Supersport class.
Jef Van Calster, who battled with Adam McLean for the top step of the podium in IRRC Schleiz Supersport races in June, became new BeNeLux Supersport Champion fourteen days ago at Assen and Sasha De Vits, fast in the past with Super Twins apparatus at Hengelo and Circuit De Chimay.
Yamalube R7 Cup contained Felix Kauertz, Twin Cup podium finisher at Frohburger Dreieck.
Sidecar races in Assen were a parade of famous names. Harry Payne/Kevin Rousseau have top five, top three TT results in their career same as former winner Tim Reeves & Mark Wilkes who also claimed two podium finishes from Hengelo, Varsselring explorations.
Todd Ellis/Emmanuelle Clement are fastest ever Sidecar TT newcomers, UK pilot Robert Biggs is a former TT passenger. Pekka Paivarinta/Adam Christie are race winners from Imatranajo in July. Ted Peugeot/Vincent Peugeot are still overall three-wheeling Circuit De Chimay lap record holders.
Bennie Streuer/Kevin Kolsch (two times 2024 race winner from Hengelo) and Raymond Leijdekkers/Sarissa Ter Steed who also started last may around the Varsselring.
2024 IDM season will continue at Nurburgring (30th August-1st September), and final races will be hosted by Hockenheim (20th-22nd September).
The Sidecar World Championship scene will next descend upon Oschersleben (Sidecar Festival – 4th-6th October) with final races gracing the famous Portuguese Estoril circuit (8th-11th November).
Circuit in Colmar-Berg in Luxembourg (7th-8th September) will see title resolution between three riders, battling for BeNeLux (Belgium-Netherlands-Luxembourg) Superbike Championship. Those due to compete include Sub 1:40 Chimay, sub 1:50 Hengelo lap-time club members Yan Ancia and Thijs Peeters, not forgetting another to have lapped Hengelo below 1:50 seconds, Bram Lambrechts.
Photo credit: Michael Wincott
Words by Jan Vavra
