Report by Barry Nutley – Images courtesy of WSC – Maris Stiprais
There were showers overnight, and this would result in the circuit being a difficult task for the Grand Prix races, but this could well play into the hands of the Lielbardis twins – there’s nothing quite like local knowledge! Hermans / van den Bogaart would look to set things right after a collapsed suspension resulted in their retirement from the qualifying race, and Wilkinson / Millard would look to capitalise.
Race 1
Tensions were high as the gates slammed down, with Keuben / Rietman claiming the holeshot, ahead of the sibling of Lielbardis, and Leferink. Daniels and Bruno were undoubtedly riding on a crest of a wave of confidence, as the Latvian fans were in full force willing them on at home, with airhorns and flares in full swing. Killian and Evan Prunier held fourth position in the opening lap ahead of Wilkinson / Millard, to round out the top-five at the end of the first lap. A large gap had already formed between the Leferink brothers, ahead of the Prunier brothers, and this would work in favour of the Dutch pairing.
Hermans / vd Bogaart had plenty of work to do, and with the rain overnight, it would not be an easy task as they were outside of the top-10 positions in the early minutes of the event. They knew, however, that this would not do, and would soon move further up the field as the laps ticked by. Wijers / van Hal was having a great weekend, and would be promoted one more position, as would Hermans / vd Bogaart as a mechanical issue would force the Prunier’s out of the race. A disaster for the French champions, in their efforts of solidifying their position in the world championship.
With 20 minutes remaining, the gap between third and fourth of the Leferink’s and Wilkinson / Millard had already opened to 15 seconds, but the British duo would be quietly confident as the retirement of the Prunier’s would almost certainly push them into third position in the standings.
Halfway throughout the race, Hermans / vd Bogaart would be on the coattails of Wilkinson / Millard in their efforts of making amends after their qualifying disappointment, and the gate pick that came with it. Not before too long, the red-plate duo would find a way through on the British crew, to promote themselves to fourth position, and this would give them two more world championship points for the overall standings.
Race 2
Recently crowned British champions Wilkinson / Millard would claim the holeshot from Lielbardis / Lielbardis, but it was a disaster for Leferink / Leferink as they would retire to the paddock moments after the gate-drop. On the opening lap, the Lielbardis twins would race into the lead and burst into view of the spectators in the race-lead, and this would turn the volume up to 11 as the crowd went wild for the home heroes. Prunier / Prunier would find themselves in 17th position by the end of lap one, leaving them with plenty of work to do over the following 30 minutes of Grand Prix racing.
Keuben / Rietman would make a clean move into second position to relegate Wilkinson / Millard through the option line, but already a seven second lead had opened between themselves and the Lielbardis twins. If it were to remain this way, the LIelbardis’ would claim overall victory!
For full story report and results go to www.dirthub.co.uk