Race report Colmar-Berg 2023

End of the season in Colmar-Berg

02–03 September 2023

Colmar-Berg, Luxemburg

The racing season had barely begun when it ended at the beginning of September in Colmar-Berg. The engines roared for two days on the Goodyear test track. This year, instead of the "Corkscrew", we drove the "Omega". For many of us, it was a new challenge to find a clean and clear line on this section of the track.

The Fun Racing Team Calw was at the start with riders Josh, Felix, Flo, Andy and Rolf. Due to the weather conditions, thick fog and a semi-wet track, the start on Saturday was delayed from 08:30 to 10:30. As a result, the third turn was unfortunately cancelled for each group. Nevertheless, the organisers were able to extend the two remaining turns by 5 minutes each. The weather became more and more stable. It got really hot from midday onwards. Sunday was also cloudless.

After a rather unspectacular training day, Sunday's race developed as follows. Felix took first place in the 600cc class in the first race on his R6. He did the same in the second race. Unfortunately, his first lap was cancelled due to an accident, so the previous lap was counted. He was still in 2nd place.

Colmar-Berg, known for its long straight and the resulting slipstream battles, did not disappoint in this respect this year either. Josh fought exciting slipstream battles with his "opponents" and finished in 11th and 12th place.

Probably the most exciting duel of the weekend was between Andy on his 996 and a GSX-R 1100, with constant changes of position between the two riders providing excitement and entertainment for the spectators. A highsider at the exit of the last corner before the long start/finish straight put an end to this spectacle. Fortunately, Andy was able to catch the Duc as it spun out. She thanked him with a heavy blow to Andy's right arm. The metres lost as a result were impossible to make up. Nevertheless, Andy was able to defend a respectable 3rd place, which he also achieved in the first race. He achieved 5th place twice in the TopTwin. Flo finished his two races in the TopTwin class in 13th and 14th place, while Rolf finished 4th and 5th in the 400e class.

A highlight of the weekend, especially for the older riders, was the visit of racing legend Jon Ekerold. The native South African, who has lived in the Saarland for a long time, signed his book "Der Privatfahrer". Jon Ekerold was the only privateer rider to win a championship title in the 350 cc class. In 1980, he became street world champion with a 3-point lead over Toni Mang. In 1981 he was runner-up in the world championship, again on his Yamaha 350 cc.