Back on the road again

Hello again,

I've been very quiet here with the blog and mostly because the preparations for the 2014 season have taken more time and energy than planned.

As I mentioned in an earlier post I'm riding this year with Juuso Suominen and Mikael starts riding with Marko Styrman. I bought an EML chassis from the Netherlands and we could start with building 2 sidecars.

The AYR-Husaberg from last year was ready in time but with the EML I was confronted with new challenges and needed to order many parts. The EML chassis is very different in the details and that made building the bike a slow process. On top of this all logistical problems caused we decided to start the season with the AYR and postpone the EML project.

During the first training sessions we had all kind of problems again and I had to switch and open engines too. The Husaberg engines are getting to outdated for this job. Juuso is new in the sidecar motocross scene but has been ice-racing on the lakes with his father for some years. After some training sessions it was already time for the first races. We started with an eight day trip in Latvia and Estonia together with team Kunnas.

The first race traditionally in Aizpute Latvia April 27th. Fine weather and a perfect track. We took it very easy, the suspension set up was based on last season and too soft with my new passenger Juuso. 21st position with 23 teams in the training and the 22nd and 20th positions in the heats. We made improvements during the race but ended still at the end of the pack.

After Aizpute we stayed for 3 days in Cesis to do some training sessions and visit Siep de Wit who is supervising the Cesis MX track. We also met Arnolds Silis with his father Andis who visited our camp and sat down for a cup of coffee. I was happy to see Arnolds again even there's still a long way to go. I wish their family strength in the continuing healing process. During these days we had very nice weather.

Wednesday we crossed the border and took our course to Põlva. The weather changed and it became very cold. Thursday, first of May, the weather turned miserable, rain showers and low temperatures. 19 teams and 17th position after the training session. Our start wasn't very good and we switched some positions up and down during the first half of the heat. But then I had to make a pit stop to get new goggles and after that the left handlebar grip also became loose. Last place for the trouble.
The second heat didn't go much better, a pile up at the the first jump blocked our path. When again able to continue the handlebar's left grip came off again (cold weather didn't made the glue stick) and that was it, first DNF for the 2014 season.

We were much happier later that evening when staying in our B&B after a hot shower and meal. The last part of our trip in the next post.

Regards,
Stephan

Results Aizpute (BV = sidecar)
Results Põlva (KV = sidecar)