Never have I seen such beautiful and impressive surroundings as we drove up the winding mountain road to the circuit on Friday morning.
The track in La Colla is set in the middle of this mountainous terrain and is equally technical and challenging. The paddock itself is tight, because flat areas are not available as large spaces, so the quads and sidecars are split into two separate groups, with large articulated trucks finding it difficult to park up. Terracing, such as mountain farmers have practised for years, is the only was to create spaces big enough for the number of paddock vehicles expected. This is work on-going on this brand-new track, owned and run by the Turrini concern. The facilities are good, boasting a brand-new toilet and shower block, press and media centre, and elevated podium space. There is also an on-site bar and clubhouse.
Patrick Turrini is the outgoing but still current champion, but it is almost certainly a formality that Harry Walker will take the quad crown as he needs just a couple of points to clinch it.
The sidecar fraternity is in a similar, but slightly more tenuous position, although Marvin Vanluchene’s thirty-one-point lead could be enough in the opening race. It is likely however the chase will go the full two-race distance. The Lielbardis brothers will throw everything at it with a final roll of the dice.
The track itself has been carefully crafted, with all the jumps and features we could expect for a world championship event.
We will need to talk to the main contenders in both classes, as well as an interview with Turrini in his role as organiser. All in all, this is a fitting track and location for the finale of both series, although still more work is needed to make the paddock area suitable for the large trucks operated by several of the top sidecar teams. Patrick Turrini himself has a large tractor/trailer with slide-outs, so he is only too aware of the scale needed. But that aside, we are all looking forward with anticipation to what is bound to be a thrilling and entertaining weekend to finish the championship season.
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Meanwhile stay with us as we continue to bring you everything as it happens here on www.fimsidecarcross.com and all our social media platforms.
From Barry Nutley
