this time the sidecars had their heats at Saturday and we took Friday the 17:30 ferry to Tallinn. After a 3 hour drive we arrived in Tõrva were we stayed in hotel De Tolly.
We've stayed there before many years ago, it was Mikael's first trip to the Baltic and first sidecar GP (Janikeese 2004).
The next morning we drove the last 85 km to Ape, just over the Estonian/Latvian border. A very impressive track was waiting there, laid out over a ridge with many long and steep climbs. The organization was very professional and for the different classes they switched sections of the track to get the correct level suited for the rider's skills and bikes.
Our training was up and down. We got stuck once at a climb but we still made a good lap in between, 13th place. Yes, we left Friday 13th and our start position was also 13th..... The track was very demanding for the sidecars, mostly a right corner followed with a climb followed by a left corner. Deep ruts at critical places like jumps and climbs, easy to get stuck.
Our start of the first heat was not very good but we passed some teams soon in a rhythm section by taking the outside line. But half way the first lap 2 teams got stuck in the deep ruts at a small jump and we were direct behind but still at the slope. When you're loosing speed with a sidecar in the ruts you get jammed. It took half a lap and some help from spectators to get us going again. The slippery mud didn't make it easier. We just did our laps, even faster than during training but we were to far behind already. At the last lap with only 2 climbs any more, a team that lapped us got stuck just in front of us. We made it by taking a very outside line and had to do a lot of work to get the bike uphill. Jumping on the pegs to force the rear tyre to get some grip, slipping the clutch and sometimes the sidecar almost flipped over but we made it.
Directly after this climb a second team lapped us and with one climb to go, they got stuck in front of us and no other lines. Again with the help of spectators both teams made it to the top and could continue to the finish line. But without the help of spectators many teams would have been still there on the slopes stuck in the ruts.
The start of the second heat wasn't good either, like Aizpute an uphill start and with the small 550 cc engine we do lack some power. During the first 2 laps all kind of trouble happened for several teams but now, wiser, we could pass safely and improved our position. At lap 5 the engine stalled and it took some time to get it started again, all the teams we had passed were gone by that time. We just continued when the race leader started to lap us. We took the outside line and they were able to pass and start the climb. But they got stuck directly in front of us and again we needed help from spectators.
The good thing is that the engine stayed OK and no punctures.This season's start is not the best but at least we are ready for the start of the Finnish championship series now.
Regards, Stephan
results (BV=sidecars)
Trip Tallinn-Tõrva-Ape
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