During the last weekend of March the opening race of the Ducati 3D-cup was sceduled. It took place at one of the most beautiful circuits of Europe: Donington Park! A circuit which already received very important drivers like Kevin Schwantz, Wayne Rainey, Michael Doohan, Rossi, etc.
A circuit with a long history which you already notice when you arrive in the town which is located close to the runway of a very busy airport. Old buildings and bridges along the circuit. The circuit is situated on the hill sites, 'The Valley of Donington Castle.
However the main reason of our visit to Donington Park were the races of the Ducati 3D-cup. Friday before the racing weeking week bought an additional trainingday in order to get more driving rythm. Man and machine had to suffer very bad weather conditions, like cold wind, rain, hail, but also a little bit sun. After the first rounds it was already clear that most of the driver were having problems getting their tyres at temperature.
The first free training at Saturday was at a dry circuit and we had the chance to drive in the new tyres in order have the advantages during the second racing, which also was the qualification. This however didn't succeed because it started raining just before the second training. We have choosen for the rain tyres as we noticed that is was very difficult to get grip at th slippy track of Donington Park. We achieved to get the 5th time during the qualification.
The first race was sceduled at the same day at 17:30 o'clock. After a long time of waiting the light were on red........and out, first one at start!!! Into the first corner, but already very quick the international driver supermonos Lex van Dijk passed me together with Ferry Schouten. It was very difficult to follow them because of some unbalance in the bike. No threat from other driver so we succeeded to get the first podium place of 2009.
The second race took place at Sunday. At 11:30 the second manche started. Again a very good start however again difficult to hang on to the 2 fast drivers from the first manche. Some addaptations to the bike succeeded to a new personal record. In the last part of the race one of my biggest competitors Lex van Dijk had to stop because of mechanical failure. Because of this I succeeded to improve the first manche and achieve the second place. Excellent.....we were very pleased with the results which have been achieved during the first races of the Ducati 3D Cup of 2009!
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