Pfarrkirchen Dirt Track Race: Full-throttle spectacle with favourite Martin Smolinski

Pfarrkirchen is home to one of the last remaining classic 1,000-metre sand tracks, so spectators are treated to high-speed races. It’s a highlight of the season for local heroes Markus Venus and Markus Eibl – who, as first chairman, is also organising the event – as well as Dominik Werkstetter. The same goes for Martin Smolinski, the multiple world champion from Olching, who is the favourite in the solo category.

To ensure Venus and Eibl are given a proper challenge in the sidecar class, European champions Markus Brandhofer and Alexander Hermann, and German champions Manuel Meier and Lena Siebert, have been entered. Toasting a ‘home victory’ would, of course, be a wonderful thing.

There’s plenty of action on offer not just for the grown-ups, but for the little ones too: a bouncy castle is set up level with the stands in front of the start/finish line. There, the public will also be well catered for with food and drink from two refreshment stalls.

Visitors can purchase tickets and programme booklets at the ticket offices on the south and north sides of the racecourse. Admission for adults costs €22; pensioners, people with severe disabilities, students and young people aged 16 and over pay €17; the programme booklet is available for €2.

Free camping and beer tent on Saturday evening

Campers can stay overnight free of charge in the car park on the south side of the track; however, there is no water or electricity available. Pfarrkirchen railway station is about a 10-minute walk from the track.

Anyone wishing to relax and socialise on Saturday evening after the race in Pocking (the final of the U19 European Speedway Championships) is warmly welcome to the beer tent in the home straight at the Pfarrkirchen speedway. Refreshments will also be plentiful there.

Training begins on Sunday, 27 September at 9.30 am, with the race starting at 1 pm. Further information is available on the RSC Pfarrkirchen Facebook page or at www.rsc-pfarrkirchen.de