By The return of pure road racing action to the iconic Imatra road race circuit, which marked the penultimate round of the 2016 International Road Racing Championship, captured the imagination of thousands of pure road racing fans worldwide.
Prior to this year, the last time roads competition was seen at Imatra, was back in 1986.
Since the confirmation last year of Imatra been part of the IRRC’s 2016 schedule, it added an extra enterprising factor to Europe’s premier roads series.
IRRC stars to emerge victorious back in August, at Finland’s iconic roads meeting included Superbike championship winner Vincent Lonbois and Marek Cerveny who successfully defended his Supersport championship crown.
Photo by Lars Törnqvist
Additional riders who produced standout performances included reigning IRRC Superbike champion Sebastien Le Grelle, roads debutants Pauli Pekkanen and Erno Kostamo, plus Jochem Van Den Hoek, Sweden’s Bjorn Gunnarsson and accomplished TT Races competitor Marco Pagani.
Torsten Schmidt of the IRRC organisation, was full of praise for Imatra, he said:
“I am really impressed and for sure I hope that we can come back here next year. Everything has worked well, and Motorclub Imatra are easy to work with. The track is fast, but safe and the riders have had only positive comments.
In addition to that it’s been great to see the massive amount of spectators and how they’ve enjoyed racing.”
Following the three day meeting, multiple current roads competitors from the UK, expressed an interest in competing in the future at Imatra.
Amongst them includes two times TT winner Gary Johnson, which shows the sheer worldwide appeal and draw that the roads venue in Finland has.
Set to once again be part of the IRRC schedule’s for next season, the Imatra Road Races are scheduled to run from the 7th to the 9th of July.
Steeped in history, the hugely popular Imatra full title Imatranajo road race circuit, in my opinion is amongst the true jewels in the crown amongst Continental Europe’s, most highly regarded, respected and famous roads events.
Words by Stevie Rial
