FIM Europe backs down: European Grass Track Sidecar Championship final to feature supporting programme after all

In mid-May, Manuel Meier criticised in an interview with SPEEDWEEK.com the fact that, with the announced live internet broadcast of the European Sidecar Championship on the grass track in Berghaupten, no supporting programme would be allowed to take place during the main race. “The last article caused quite a stir and reached the right people. Officials from other organisers and associations then approached me, and we all went together to speak to Piotr Szymanski from FIM Europe in Bielefeld, who was there specifically to deal with this issue,” reported Meier, who, as club chairman of MSC Berghaupten and an active sidecar rider, was doubly affected by the cancellation of the supporting programme. “The head of track racing at FIM Europe wasn’t aware that we have so few races for the European Championships, and we’re now allowed to run a supporting programme during the Sidecar European Championships despite the live stream. Other organisers in England and the Netherlands were also unaware of the issues surrounding the stream.”

FIM Europe head had no idea

The discussions in Bielefeld bore fruit, and a solution was found that the MSC Berghaupten can live with. “It’s worth highlighting that FIM Europe has shown understanding, because who am I supposed to sell a race with just ten heats to?” said Meier. “A total of 20 races will be held on the afternoon of race day, ten of which are part of the European Sidecar Championship. In addition, we’ll be running international and national solo licence races. The only downside is that we’ve had to reduce the field of national solo riders to eight.”

MSC Berghaupten can now once again host a long-track race on Sunday as part of its Race Days on the last weekend of August – an event which includes a speedway race and the ADAC Bavaria Cup on Saturday evening – with several classes competing.