Pictures from Kegums GP 06082011
EML - HUSABERG - AYR
Wednesday, 24 August 2011
Stelpe 21.08, Latvian Championship round 7
Hello
Saturday afternoon the 14:30 ferry to Tallinn with the team of Aronen/Mantila. During our drive to Kekava, were we stayed for the night, we tried the restaurant at the Estonian/Latvian border, Ikla. It was exactly the same food as at the gas station in Häädemeeste, maybe the same owner?
The next morning we had optimal weather for racing, about 20 degrees Celsius. During the night and the day before it had rained rather heavily and the track was in the training session very soft. It looked like that it was going to be a good day for the large 2-stroke Zabel teams, the difference with the 4-strokes was remarkable. Luckily the sun came out and the track started to dry and that made it even for everyone. Due to races in Estonia and the GP in Russia, only 11 entries with 3 veteran teams. 10th position for us in the training with a huge gap between us and the fastest teams.
Our start for the first heat wasn't very good, I tried to leave the gate a little to early and had to correct. The soil after the gate was still very soft and at the last position we entered the first corner. In the next corners we did pass 3 teams but before completing the first lap 2 teams re-passed us already. After the first lap we started a battle with the Latvian team, and 2011 Latvian Veteran Champions, Vâpa/Maĉs that would last till the finish line. 4 times our positions exchanged but this time we did draw the longest straw. At the end of the heat we closed the gap with the team in front of us but at the finish line still 3 seconds to short.
Our mood was very good for the 2nd heat after the good racing before. The start didn't improve but we ended up in front of Vâpa/Maĉs and directly behind the Lithuanian team Ziukas/Davidonis. This team is a very hard nut to crack and we really wanted to beat them this time. In front of us a Latvian team and with 4 teams it was like a train bouncing over the track. The Latvian team was passed after a few laps by Ziukas/Davidonis and we needed an extra lap to do the same. We tried hard to close the gap again but lacked 10 seconds at the finish line (as in the 1st heat). The last round for the Latvian Championship is in 2 weeks in Gulbene, maybe we will succeed then.
For us it was second overall in the veteran class and Aronen/Mantila did good business by taking the overall win with a double for the first time in Latvia. Back to Tallinn via Kekava for a good meal. 01:15 we arrived at the Dzingel hotel and found still some energy for a beer, at least.
Regards, Stephan
Results Stelpe (bv = sidecar)
Trip Stelpe 20-22.08
Saturday afternoon the 14:30 ferry to Tallinn with the team of Aronen/Mantila. During our drive to Kekava, were we stayed for the night, we tried the restaurant at the Estonian/Latvian border, Ikla. It was exactly the same food as at the gas station in Häädemeeste, maybe the same owner?
The next morning we had optimal weather for racing, about 20 degrees Celsius. During the night and the day before it had rained rather heavily and the track was in the training session very soft. It looked like that it was going to be a good day for the large 2-stroke Zabel teams, the difference with the 4-strokes was remarkable. Luckily the sun came out and the track started to dry and that made it even for everyone. Due to races in Estonia and the GP in Russia, only 11 entries with 3 veteran teams. 10th position for us in the training with a huge gap between us and the fastest teams.
Our start for the first heat wasn't very good, I tried to leave the gate a little to early and had to correct. The soil after the gate was still very soft and at the last position we entered the first corner. In the next corners we did pass 3 teams but before completing the first lap 2 teams re-passed us already. After the first lap we started a battle with the Latvian team, and 2011 Latvian Veteran Champions, Vâpa/Maĉs that would last till the finish line. 4 times our positions exchanged but this time we did draw the longest straw. At the end of the heat we closed the gap with the team in front of us but at the finish line still 3 seconds to short.
Our mood was very good for the 2nd heat after the good racing before. The start didn't improve but we ended up in front of Vâpa/Maĉs and directly behind the Lithuanian team Ziukas/Davidonis. This team is a very hard nut to crack and we really wanted to beat them this time. In front of us a Latvian team and with 4 teams it was like a train bouncing over the track. The Latvian team was passed after a few laps by Ziukas/Davidonis and we needed an extra lap to do the same. We tried hard to close the gap again but lacked 10 seconds at the finish line (as in the 1st heat). The last round for the Latvian Championship is in 2 weeks in Gulbene, maybe we will succeed then.
For us it was second overall in the veteran class and Aronen/Mantila did good business by taking the overall win with a double for the first time in Latvia. Back to Tallinn via Kekava for a good meal. 01:15 we arrived at the Dzingel hotel and found still some energy for a beer, at least.
Regards, Stephan
Results Stelpe (bv = sidecar)
Trip Stelpe 20-22.08
Monday, 15 August 2011
Kiviõli, Estonia 13-14.08 our second GP
Hello,
back again from our second and last GP. Friday morning August 12th we and team Aronen/Mantila took the 10:30 ferry to Tallinn. The Kunnas family followed us with the next ferry. The three days home I had used to fix the 570 engine. We tested this engine earlier the week before Kegums but we did run in problems with the gear selector. This engine has a little extra power on top and with the large up-hills in Kiviõli we could use that little extra very well.
After the technical inspection I noticed that coolant had mixed with engine oil. To change the water pump seal it was necessary to remove the clutch cover and flush the engine with fresh oil. Many other teams were also still working Friday evening at their bikes, we weren't the only team. With the technical inspection no problems for us again.
The Kiviõli track is laid out on a large hill created by mining and the track's surface is coarse gravel. This stuff is power consuming when moist but can manage a lot of water and there's almost no risk with getting stuck. The 570 engine did run nicely and I was happy with the extra performance. We were placed in the A group with 21 teams. The track was very fast and a few jumps rather tricky. For me this track was more demanding than Kegums last week.
In the pre-qualifying training we finished like in the free training also at the the 20th position but we noticed that the engine started to smoke from the exhaust. Also restarting was more difficult. When waiting for the start practice the engine started to boil thus we pushed the bike back to the paddock. With the help of the Kunnas family we changed the 550 engine back in less than 1½ hour, that gave us still more than half an hour before our qualification heat started.
It started to rain properly when it was time for the start of the qualification heat. Second row and we did choose the inside line. We didn't run in problems in the first corners and finished the 1st lap at the 19th position. After 3 laps it was again a battle between the 3 veteran teams for many laps until my goggles became very dirty and the clear vision film didn't transport any more. I removed my goggles and we drove the last 2-3 laps at an easy speed on the last position. The difference between the 550 and the 570 engines was noticeable especially at the final part of the up-hills.
In the last change training we tried to prevent finishing at the last position but didn't succeed. We started a last effort but when landing after a large jump my left wrist got hurt and after this lap we had only one last change for a good lap. With a sore wrist we were still able to improve a little but not enough, last position for us.
The next day we enjoyed watching good racing and we all took the same evening ferry back to Helsinki. My thanks for the Kunnas family for their help and food when we didn't had time to prepare something by our self when fixing the bike. Aronen/Mantila scored a 15th position in the 2nd heat and collected again points. About our GP experiences I can say that I'm still satisfied. We enjoyed racing during a big event and we managed to perform without crashing or becoming a road block for the faster teams.
Regards, Stephan
Result GP Kiviõli, Estonia
Trip Kiviõli, Estonia
back again from our second and last GP. Friday morning August 12th we and team Aronen/Mantila took the 10:30 ferry to Tallinn. The Kunnas family followed us with the next ferry. The three days home I had used to fix the 570 engine. We tested this engine earlier the week before Kegums but we did run in problems with the gear selector. This engine has a little extra power on top and with the large up-hills in Kiviõli we could use that little extra very well.
After the technical inspection I noticed that coolant had mixed with engine oil. To change the water pump seal it was necessary to remove the clutch cover and flush the engine with fresh oil. Many other teams were also still working Friday evening at their bikes, we weren't the only team. With the technical inspection no problems for us again.
The Kiviõli track is laid out on a large hill created by mining and the track's surface is coarse gravel. This stuff is power consuming when moist but can manage a lot of water and there's almost no risk with getting stuck. The 570 engine did run nicely and I was happy with the extra performance. We were placed in the A group with 21 teams. The track was very fast and a few jumps rather tricky. For me this track was more demanding than Kegums last week.
In the pre-qualifying training we finished like in the free training also at the the 20th position but we noticed that the engine started to smoke from the exhaust. Also restarting was more difficult. When waiting for the start practice the engine started to boil thus we pushed the bike back to the paddock. With the help of the Kunnas family we changed the 550 engine back in less than 1½ hour, that gave us still more than half an hour before our qualification heat started.
It started to rain properly when it was time for the start of the qualification heat. Second row and we did choose the inside line. We didn't run in problems in the first corners and finished the 1st lap at the 19th position. After 3 laps it was again a battle between the 3 veteran teams for many laps until my goggles became very dirty and the clear vision film didn't transport any more. I removed my goggles and we drove the last 2-3 laps at an easy speed on the last position. The difference between the 550 and the 570 engines was noticeable especially at the final part of the up-hills.
In the last change training we tried to prevent finishing at the last position but didn't succeed. We started a last effort but when landing after a large jump my left wrist got hurt and after this lap we had only one last change for a good lap. With a sore wrist we were still able to improve a little but not enough, last position for us.
The next day we enjoyed watching good racing and we all took the same evening ferry back to Helsinki. My thanks for the Kunnas family for their help and food when we didn't had time to prepare something by our self when fixing the bike. Aronen/Mantila scored a 15th position in the 2nd heat and collected again points. About our GP experiences I can say that I'm still satisfied. We enjoyed racing during a big event and we managed to perform without crashing or becoming a road block for the faster teams.
Regards, Stephan
Result GP Kiviõli, Estonia
Trip Kiviõli, Estonia
Tuesday, 9 August 2011
Kegums, Latvian GP, 6-7.8
Hi again,
this weekend was our first ever GP held in Kegums. We took the first ferry to Tallinn early in the morning at 7:30 and with us travelled Maria, my daughter, and the Kunnas family with their own truck. Our little convoy travelled first to Pärnu to do some shopping. With 2 days in the paddock we needed more food and drinks than normally. We weren't the only teams stopping in Pärnu, some Estonian sidecar and Quad teams were also parked in front of the supermarket.
We continued to Häädemeeste for a lunch and from there straight to Kegums. On the ring road around Riiga was a lot of construction work and the trip took a little longer than expected. In the paddock we found a nice spot with shade for most of the day. We took the sidecar for the technical control and passed without any problems. After that we build up our camp with the several tents. We prepared dinner using only a single cooking plate and in combination with salad not too bad either. The team of Aronen/Mantila joined us some hours later that evening. First night sleeping in a tent is never a success for me and in combination with an early start I didn't sleep very well. The others had no problems and had a good night rest. In the morning my wife, Ria, and a family friend joined us to give some mental support.
The official entry list showed 47 teams but only 37 teams actually entered the event. We and Aronen/Mantila were placed in group B for training and qualification. Also some other competitors from national Estonian and Latvian races were placed in the same group. During the first free training we concentrated at improving our speed at the jumps. This track is so much wider and the jumps much higher than we are normally confronted with. We had the last position but during the next pre-qualifying practice we improved and moved up one position.
We had to start from the second row for our qualifying heat and we did choose the inside line behind the 2 Latvian top teams. When we rode over the gate these teams were already halfway on the starting field! In the second corner a British team, the Millard brothers, crashed but we had no trouble with our inside line. The first 2 laps we completed at the 14th position but then the British team passed us and a little later a Lithuanian team succeeded too. During the race 2 teams got mechanical problems and we finished at the same position as we started, 14th. Because the first 12 are placed directly in the final we had to ride the last change qualifying practice.
During the last change qualifying practice we were not able to close the 9 second gap with the 8th and last classified team. 9 seconds is a very large gap and we have to improve many, many things with our riding first. Also the order with the 3 slowest teams didn't change and we called it a day and after 6 laps we went back to the paddock. Altogether we were satisfied with our riding. We had the feeling we jumped much better and at certain points kept the throttle longer open. It was time for a shower and a cool beer.
We went with the family to a restaurant for dinner and returned later to the paddock. We had a few beers and that night I slept much better ;-). At Sunday we had a good day watching the races and Aronen/Mantila ended 15th and 16th in the heats, a very good performance. Via Sigulde, were we had dinner, we drove to Ainaži for our hotel. In the morning we continued to Tallinn with a stop at the Pärnu beach. Next week our second GP in Kiviöli, Estonia.
Regards, Stephan
Results Kegums 6-7.8
Trip Kegums 5-8.8
this weekend was our first ever GP held in Kegums. We took the first ferry to Tallinn early in the morning at 7:30 and with us travelled Maria, my daughter, and the Kunnas family with their own truck. Our little convoy travelled first to Pärnu to do some shopping. With 2 days in the paddock we needed more food and drinks than normally. We weren't the only teams stopping in Pärnu, some Estonian sidecar and Quad teams were also parked in front of the supermarket.
We continued to Häädemeeste for a lunch and from there straight to Kegums. On the ring road around Riiga was a lot of construction work and the trip took a little longer than expected. In the paddock we found a nice spot with shade for most of the day. We took the sidecar for the technical control and passed without any problems. After that we build up our camp with the several tents. We prepared dinner using only a single cooking plate and in combination with salad not too bad either. The team of Aronen/Mantila joined us some hours later that evening. First night sleeping in a tent is never a success for me and in combination with an early start I didn't sleep very well. The others had no problems and had a good night rest. In the morning my wife, Ria, and a family friend joined us to give some mental support.
The official entry list showed 47 teams but only 37 teams actually entered the event. We and Aronen/Mantila were placed in group B for training and qualification. Also some other competitors from national Estonian and Latvian races were placed in the same group. During the first free training we concentrated at improving our speed at the jumps. This track is so much wider and the jumps much higher than we are normally confronted with. We had the last position but during the next pre-qualifying practice we improved and moved up one position.
We had to start from the second row for our qualifying heat and we did choose the inside line behind the 2 Latvian top teams. When we rode over the gate these teams were already halfway on the starting field! In the second corner a British team, the Millard brothers, crashed but we had no trouble with our inside line. The first 2 laps we completed at the 14th position but then the British team passed us and a little later a Lithuanian team succeeded too. During the race 2 teams got mechanical problems and we finished at the same position as we started, 14th. Because the first 12 are placed directly in the final we had to ride the last change qualifying practice.
During the last change qualifying practice we were not able to close the 9 second gap with the 8th and last classified team. 9 seconds is a very large gap and we have to improve many, many things with our riding first. Also the order with the 3 slowest teams didn't change and we called it a day and after 6 laps we went back to the paddock. Altogether we were satisfied with our riding. We had the feeling we jumped much better and at certain points kept the throttle longer open. It was time for a shower and a cool beer.
We went with the family to a restaurant for dinner and returned later to the paddock. We had a few beers and that night I slept much better ;-). At Sunday we had a good day watching the races and Aronen/Mantila ended 15th and 16th in the heats, a very good performance. Via Sigulde, were we had dinner, we drove to Ainaži for our hotel. In the morning we continued to Tallinn with a stop at the Pärnu beach. Next week our second GP in Kiviöli, Estonia.
Regards, Stephan
Results Kegums 6-7.8
Trip Kegums 5-8.8
Tuesday, 2 August 2011
Toila, Pühajõe, last race for the Estonian Cup, 31.07
Hello,
this was already the last event of the six races for the Estonian Cup 2011. We did miss one race, Laitse, because of overlapping events in Finland. At Saturday, waiting for the ferry, we heard over the radio that very heavy rain showers over Tallinn made traffic very difficult. After some phone calls we heard that the situation was better in Eastern Estonia and decided to go on board. Arriving in Tallinn it was raining as expected but when driving in the direction of Toila the weather was getting slightly better. We had a room in a hotel in Jõhvi, only 10 minutes from the track.
We went for a look at the track and it wasn't a very promising view. Mud in all colors you can think. The track was clay and grass based situated around a small valley. When dry probably very interesting but now it looked horrible with those muddy up- and downhills.
The next morning the sun started to show and made an effort to dry the track. During the training session it was unbelievable slippery in the corners. Our front tire was covered with a layer of clay and no knobby to show, like a road racing tire. We went once on our side in the mud to give the shirts a new design. Not a good time for us. From 17 teams 16th (and that only because one team's transponder didn't work).
The track started to dry up and when it was time for our first heat only a few places were still muddy but it was much better, read easier, to ride. Second row start and we could squeeze via the inside line to a better position. At the beginning of lap 2 the Husaberg engine stalled once again when coming out of a corner. We could restart and begin to save what we could. Some other teams had to face their own troubles and we ended as we started, twelfth.
The second heat we started from the first row but at the out side line, no chance. It was a chaotic race with many teams confronted with problems. We were at the 13th position after lap one and at some moment 11th to finish 12th. Halfway we were trying to make a pass at a team in front of us but they got stuck in front of us at an uphill. Nothing else than rolling back downwards and retry the climb. We passed the other team this way but it was a little comic to do it that slowly (in lap times).
We finished both heats at the 12th place for 12th overall and in the final standings for the Cup... 12th. After washing the bike we drove to Aegviidu what starts to be our standard basic camp for our trips in Estonia. The next day the ferry back to Helsinki and direct to the workshop to swap the engine. This week some testing and Friday we start for the Latvian GP in Kegums.
Regards,
Stephan
Results Toila, Pühajõe 31.07 (kv=sidecars)
Trip 30.07-01.08
Pictures from Toila, Pühajõe 1
Pictures from Toila, Pühajõe 2
this was already the last event of the six races for the Estonian Cup 2011. We did miss one race, Laitse, because of overlapping events in Finland. At Saturday, waiting for the ferry, we heard over the radio that very heavy rain showers over Tallinn made traffic very difficult. After some phone calls we heard that the situation was better in Eastern Estonia and decided to go on board. Arriving in Tallinn it was raining as expected but when driving in the direction of Toila the weather was getting slightly better. We had a room in a hotel in Jõhvi, only 10 minutes from the track.
We went for a look at the track and it wasn't a very promising view. Mud in all colors you can think. The track was clay and grass based situated around a small valley. When dry probably very interesting but now it looked horrible with those muddy up- and downhills.
The next morning the sun started to show and made an effort to dry the track. During the training session it was unbelievable slippery in the corners. Our front tire was covered with a layer of clay and no knobby to show, like a road racing tire. We went once on our side in the mud to give the shirts a new design. Not a good time for us. From 17 teams 16th (and that only because one team's transponder didn't work).
The track started to dry up and when it was time for our first heat only a few places were still muddy but it was much better, read easier, to ride. Second row start and we could squeeze via the inside line to a better position. At the beginning of lap 2 the Husaberg engine stalled once again when coming out of a corner. We could restart and begin to save what we could. Some other teams had to face their own troubles and we ended as we started, twelfth.
The second heat we started from the first row but at the out side line, no chance. It was a chaotic race with many teams confronted with problems. We were at the 13th position after lap one and at some moment 11th to finish 12th. Halfway we were trying to make a pass at a team in front of us but they got stuck in front of us at an uphill. Nothing else than rolling back downwards and retry the climb. We passed the other team this way but it was a little comic to do it that slowly (in lap times).
We finished both heats at the 12th place for 12th overall and in the final standings for the Cup... 12th. After washing the bike we drove to Aegviidu what starts to be our standard basic camp for our trips in Estonia. The next day the ferry back to Helsinki and direct to the workshop to swap the engine. This week some testing and Friday we start for the Latvian GP in Kegums.
Regards,
Stephan
Results Toila, Pühajõe 31.07 (kv=sidecars)
Trip 30.07-01.08
Pictures from Toila, Pühajõe 1
Pictures from Toila, Pühajõe 2
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