VAMO Racing at Belgian Championship Keiheuvel Balen

pic: www.rolly-pics.be

Click on picture to see a larger version

The Keiheuvel track of Balen just located some 25 minutes from the team’s workshop makes it another home race for the Vamo racing team! Expecting a lot of spectators and supporters for our riders at this 4th round of the Belgian Championship series the team was hoping for a good result with their Suzuki Bikes in this important race.

Training:
In the early training session on the still flat sand track of Balen, luck turned its back already when our riders did not find the good rythm and had some trouble finding the fast lines inbetween the 34 competitors. Mike finished this qualifying session in 25th while his teammate Victor landed on the 30th place.

First Heat:
Almost perfect start for Victor in this 1st heat made things look excellent for today only he made small mistake and went to position 15 in the first lap. Mike Vanderstraeten on the other hand had some mechanical problems but was able to carry on with a good pace. Just a couple of laps from the end Mike his bike broke and turned this first heat into a DNF. Victor made a crash and was sent back to 28th just before his bike got overheated and also had to DNF this first heat. Once again luck turned its back to the Vamo racing team.

Second Heat:
Bikes problems fixed and ready to go - the riders started their engines heading to the gate in front of the long start section at the Keiheuvel. With a lot of bumping trough the first couple of corners in the first lap both Vamo Riders started this heat outside the top-20. Victor had some rough times in the first couple of laps but was able to gain some places coming from 27th to a 19th position. His teammate Mike Vanderstraeten found some good lines and rythm to end up in 10th position. Things seemed to be going too easy when Mike made a big crash when a deep sand bump made him go over the bars. Victor finished in 19th position as Mike was on his way to a top 10 result untill the crash which resulted in DNF.