Hi again,
I needed some time to revive from this heavy double weekend. With high temperatures in Heinola and long heats in Jõgeva I could feel all the seconds we've spend on the tracks, almost 3 hours riding all together.
At Saturday the weekend started in Heinola, Finland, for the Finnish championship together with the Classic MX Cup. There were only 7 entries in the modern sidecar class. The classic sidecars had 15 entries. It's very nice to see and hear those pre '85 hacks on the track. Temperature was over 30 degrees. The track was shortened and we didn't ride the long washboard.
The training wasn't very spectacular, we were sixth and never able to beat Pöllänen/Lehtinen. With only 7 sidecars a really bad start isn't possible and we went trough the first corner at the sixth place. Already halfway the first lap Lindgren/Kiskonen lost their sidecar wheel and their race ended abruptly. On the second lap the team of Aronen/Mantila stranded with ignition problems. Only 5 teams left doing their laps without any good duels.
The second heat was almost a copy except that Lindgren/Kiskonen didn't lose any wheels but Aronen/Mantila stranded again with ignition problems at the beginning of the second lap. We followed Pöllänen/Lehtinen but they put every lap 10-15 meters extra between us and I couldn't close this gap. Unfortunately their engine stalled at lap 8 and they weren't able to get it running again. During the last laps it started to rain but too late to cool things down for me. With all the misfortune of the other teams we ended at the third place in the total standings.
Directly after the event with the ferry to Tallinn where we stayed for the night. We had an early morning start to drive to Jõgeva. The Jõgeva track is very technical with a part laid out as a stadium section but not too difficult for sidecars. 20 entries and much cooler weather then in Finland the day before. Some rain showers but not during our sessions. 17th position in practice and a second row start for us here.
We did choose for the inside line from the second row and were able to avoid an hold up in the first corner. At the end of lap 1 we held the 12th position but then I made a classical mistake and put too much weight on the rear brake what resulted in a stalled engine. Quickly restarted and trying to save something. The different, cooler, temperature did help me very much and we had a good speed. 2 teams had problems and fell out of the race. One team we re-passed quickly by our self and in the last phase of the heat we made a successful pass at an other team to finish at the 14th place. We were in spite of stalling the engine very satisfied with our riding.
Our start of the second heat wasn't as good but I didn't stall the engine either and that made up some. We started a battle with the Russian team Vasin/Vasiljev that would take the whole heat. At lap 4 we were able to make the pass but they followed us close and didn't give up. We had to push it all the time, no time to relax a little. With the start of the last lap 2 teams doubled us and I had to slow down just before a slow corner and that placed the other team direct in our rear wheel. The last lap was going to be very important. Coming out of this corner I noticed that our rear tyre was flat also on top of this! With a twisting sidecar there was no room for saving the wheel and we just pushed to stay in front of the Russian team. We were very lucky that the tyre stayed on the rim and we made it till the finish line to stay in front of them but I was totally exhausted after this heat. 11th position and we were more than satisfied with both heats.
The sidecar; the silencer broke trough the sidecar bottom, the sidecar swing bearings broke, the rear tyre flat and damaged, the engine leaks oil and has a very rough sound. But we made it till the finish, now some repairs to do.
Regards, Stephan
Results Heinola Finnish Championship (SV=sidecar)
Results Jõgeva Estonian Championship (KV=sidecars)
Trip 23-25.07
EML - HUSABERG - AYR
Tuesday 26 July 2011
Wednesday 13 July 2011
Mežvidi, Latvian championship July 10th
Hi again,
Yesterday evening back from the trip to Mežvidi. Mežvidi is located near the Latvian/Russian border. We left Helsinki Saturday morning already because we wanted to check a caravan rental but all the trailers were rented and not much to see. Outside Tallinn we were confronted with heavy rain showers with thunder and hail. At one point it was so bad that the passenger cars had to stop and wait at the side of the road. The only view was a complete white screen of water and riding was like crossing a river. Blasts of wind did topple trees along the road but luckily it didn't last very long and the sun was shining again.
Via Tartto we crossed the Estonian/Latvian border at Ape and continued to Rezekne for our hotel. We've been before in this hotel and I must say they have good food ;-), it's a nice place to stay. The next morning we started for the last part to Mežvidi but old memories sometimes cheat. On the the road sign was mentioned Moscow and without further thinking, it's East isn't it, I just took the turn and peddle to the metal. After 20 minutes we started to feel unsure because we missed some land marks we remembered from last last year and the railway crossing was definitely not a part of it. Back to Rezekne and now we had the correct turn at the roundabout (and a Latvian team in front of us to follow was a safe bet).
The track's first impression isn't very spectacular until you start driving and try to make good lap times. The soil is what's making this track so different. Very hard spots followed with soft power absorbing patches. The hard spots are very slippery after irrigation but it's necessary to control the dust, a challenge for the organization and drivers. 15 entries and for us 13th time in practice. The new settings for the rear shock made our ride more comfortable, no harsh landings and bottoming any more. We have to fiddle a little yet to get the smaller stuff under control but that's not too difficult with a good base to work from. Carburettor jetting was changed but still the same old problem of easy stalling.
The first start produced an explosion of dust at the starting area and we were very lucky with our outside line. We entered the first left corner from the inside about mid pack and were able to pass 2 teams directly. But the other teams had clearly different ideas about our position and in a few laps 5 teams found their way to pass us and we finished 13th as in practice. It was a very exhausting race due to the heat, over 30 degrees Celsius, and to keep the engine on spot of the power band.
The second start wasn't as good, not so much dust this time thanks to irrigation of the starting area. From outside we were last this time and at the end of lap one the engine stalled again for once. I didn't had the energy to push and we just did our laps to finish the race, 14th position at the end. Our overall result was surprisingly enough for the third place in the final standing of the veteran class. The organization had a photographer making prints and handed them out during the price giving ceremony, a very nice idea, good pictures.
With Aronen/Mantila we drove back to Estonia and Mikael and I stayed for the night in Tartto at the Music Academy in the students house. The next morning to Tallinn and we visited Are Kaurit to get some parts for the AYR. Also back to the caravan rental and now the trailers were on location. Why a trailer? The GP's of Kegums and Kiviöli are soon and once in your life.... or something like that. With the evening ferry back to Helsinki.
Regards, Stephan
Trip Mežvidi
Results Mežvidi (BV = sidecars)
Yesterday evening back from the trip to Mežvidi. Mežvidi is located near the Latvian/Russian border. We left Helsinki Saturday morning already because we wanted to check a caravan rental but all the trailers were rented and not much to see. Outside Tallinn we were confronted with heavy rain showers with thunder and hail. At one point it was so bad that the passenger cars had to stop and wait at the side of the road. The only view was a complete white screen of water and riding was like crossing a river. Blasts of wind did topple trees along the road but luckily it didn't last very long and the sun was shining again.
Via Tartto we crossed the Estonian/Latvian border at Ape and continued to Rezekne for our hotel. We've been before in this hotel and I must say they have good food ;-), it's a nice place to stay. The next morning we started for the last part to Mežvidi but old memories sometimes cheat. On the the road sign was mentioned Moscow and without further thinking, it's East isn't it, I just took the turn and peddle to the metal. After 20 minutes we started to feel unsure because we missed some land marks we remembered from last last year and the railway crossing was definitely not a part of it. Back to Rezekne and now we had the correct turn at the roundabout (and a Latvian team in front of us to follow was a safe bet).
The track's first impression isn't very spectacular until you start driving and try to make good lap times. The soil is what's making this track so different. Very hard spots followed with soft power absorbing patches. The hard spots are very slippery after irrigation but it's necessary to control the dust, a challenge for the organization and drivers. 15 entries and for us 13th time in practice. The new settings for the rear shock made our ride more comfortable, no harsh landings and bottoming any more. We have to fiddle a little yet to get the smaller stuff under control but that's not too difficult with a good base to work from. Carburettor jetting was changed but still the same old problem of easy stalling.
The first start produced an explosion of dust at the starting area and we were very lucky with our outside line. We entered the first left corner from the inside about mid pack and were able to pass 2 teams directly. But the other teams had clearly different ideas about our position and in a few laps 5 teams found their way to pass us and we finished 13th as in practice. It was a very exhausting race due to the heat, over 30 degrees Celsius, and to keep the engine on spot of the power band.
The second start wasn't as good, not so much dust this time thanks to irrigation of the starting area. From outside we were last this time and at the end of lap one the engine stalled again for once. I didn't had the energy to push and we just did our laps to finish the race, 14th position at the end. Our overall result was surprisingly enough for the third place in the final standing of the veteran class. The organization had a photographer making prints and handed them out during the price giving ceremony, a very nice idea, good pictures.
With Aronen/Mantila we drove back to Estonia and Mikael and I stayed for the night in Tartto at the Music Academy in the students house. The next morning to Tallinn and we visited Are Kaurit to get some parts for the AYR. Also back to the caravan rental and now the trailers were on location. Why a trailer? The GP's of Kegums and Kiviöli are soon and once in your life.... or something like that. With the evening ferry back to Helsinki.
Regards, Stephan
Trip Mežvidi
Results Mežvidi (BV = sidecars)
Tuesday 5 July 2011
Türi, Estonian Championship round 2 July 3rd
Hi all,
With the teams of Aronen/Mantila and Lindgren/Kiskonen we took the 17:30 ferry on Saturday to Tallinn. After the traditional stop at the Sikupilli shopping mall we continued straight to the track located at Kihli, Türi. Because it was good weather we stayed for the night with our tent in the paddock. We didn't sleep very well that night, maybe we need some practice with camping.
The free practice showed some rough spots in the track from the Saturday's races and as a bonus a man made steep washboard of deep sand. We've been riding at the Türi track 2 years ago and then it was in a much better condition. Not only some changes that didn't do very well with sidecars but the track showed lack of maintenance. The top layer was worn out at many places and large rocks surfaced especially in the corners. Too bad because I liked the track as it was 2 years ago very much.
19 entries and the top teams of Estonia and Latvia together with our Finnish competitors didn't make it easy to look not too bad. A 18th time was the result. From the second row we started the first heat. Entering the first corner my goggles were covered with mud, due to irrigation of the starting area. I was just ripping away the tear off when I had to brake unexpectedly much harder. I couldn't pull the clutch in time and the engine stalled. While everyone else disappeared we stood kicking the Husaberg back to life. We tried for 5-6 laps to close the gap but never succeeded to come closer. Because of the long heat, 25 minutes and 2 laps, we decided to settle for last and just finish the race.
The second heat we could start from the first row because one team didn't show up. It was the most outward place and we followed the outside line in to the first corner. Some teams did collide and an Estonian team crashed in front of us. Luckily we could avoid them and get around with only a small delay.
Halfway 2 teams collided when entering a tight left corner and most teams behind came to a short halt. We had time avoid this and passed them via the outside line. But we did run out of luck quickly when the Husaberg engine decided to stall in an other tight corner before the first lap even was completed. Again last and even more work then in the first heat to close the gap due to the completely worn out track. I decided to just settle for a constant speed and see what crumbs we could pick at the finish. Due to the harshness of the track some teams had to pay it's toll and we finished at place 13!
With the Aronen/Mantila team we spend the night in Aegviidu, like the weekend before, and drove the next morning to Tallinn. We had some good riding, especially in the beginning of the first heat, but also some downs again that we must get rid of if we want to get better results. Also some technical issues with the bike we have to work out. At the beginning of the season it was the front suspension and now it's the rear suspension that bottomed at many places. The rear shock is for service and new settings at the dealer's workshop.
The jetting of the carburettor is not perfect yet but with a bigger main jet next time the engine will hopefully run a little bit stronger, especially in the lower end, at the next races.
Next weekend the long trip near to the Russian/Latvian border, Mežvidi.
Best regards,
Stephan
Results Türi (kv = sidecars)
Route 2-4.7.2011
With the teams of Aronen/Mantila and Lindgren/Kiskonen we took the 17:30 ferry on Saturday to Tallinn. After the traditional stop at the Sikupilli shopping mall we continued straight to the track located at Kihli, Türi. Because it was good weather we stayed for the night with our tent in the paddock. We didn't sleep very well that night, maybe we need some practice with camping.
The free practice showed some rough spots in the track from the Saturday's races and as a bonus a man made steep washboard of deep sand. We've been riding at the Türi track 2 years ago and then it was in a much better condition. Not only some changes that didn't do very well with sidecars but the track showed lack of maintenance. The top layer was worn out at many places and large rocks surfaced especially in the corners. Too bad because I liked the track as it was 2 years ago very much.
19 entries and the top teams of Estonia and Latvia together with our Finnish competitors didn't make it easy to look not too bad. A 18th time was the result. From the second row we started the first heat. Entering the first corner my goggles were covered with mud, due to irrigation of the starting area. I was just ripping away the tear off when I had to brake unexpectedly much harder. I couldn't pull the clutch in time and the engine stalled. While everyone else disappeared we stood kicking the Husaberg back to life. We tried for 5-6 laps to close the gap but never succeeded to come closer. Because of the long heat, 25 minutes and 2 laps, we decided to settle for last and just finish the race.
The second heat we could start from the first row because one team didn't show up. It was the most outward place and we followed the outside line in to the first corner. Some teams did collide and an Estonian team crashed in front of us. Luckily we could avoid them and get around with only a small delay.
Halfway 2 teams collided when entering a tight left corner and most teams behind came to a short halt. We had time avoid this and passed them via the outside line. But we did run out of luck quickly when the Husaberg engine decided to stall in an other tight corner before the first lap even was completed. Again last and even more work then in the first heat to close the gap due to the completely worn out track. I decided to just settle for a constant speed and see what crumbs we could pick at the finish. Due to the harshness of the track some teams had to pay it's toll and we finished at place 13!
With the Aronen/Mantila team we spend the night in Aegviidu, like the weekend before, and drove the next morning to Tallinn. We had some good riding, especially in the beginning of the first heat, but also some downs again that we must get rid of if we want to get better results. Also some technical issues with the bike we have to work out. At the beginning of the season it was the front suspension and now it's the rear suspension that bottomed at many places. The rear shock is for service and new settings at the dealer's workshop.
The jetting of the carburettor is not perfect yet but with a bigger main jet next time the engine will hopefully run a little bit stronger, especially in the lower end, at the next races.
Next weekend the long trip near to the Russian/Latvian border, Mežvidi.
Best regards,
Stephan
Results Türi (kv = sidecars)
Route 2-4.7.2011
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