Robert Werth, the new CEO of the IGG (Interessengemeinschaft Gespannrennen e.V.), visited France to take a look around. He expects 17 to 19 teams to participate in 2018, including seven from the Netherlands, which will also hold their national championship as part of the races under a separate scoring system.
André Kretzer is among the favorites for the IDM title. The 2013 champion has had a run of bad luck in recent years. Now the mystery surrounding his co-driver has been revealed: it’s Björn Bosch, who was still with Helmut Lingen in 2017. Other potential title contenders include Josef Sattler/Uwe Neubert and Mike Roscher/Anna Burkard. The 2017 championship-winning team, Markus Schlosser and Thomas Hofer from Switzerland, is no longer competing. A German rider could take the title, unless the Dutch duo Bennie Streuer and Gerard Daalhuizen step in to claim it. In addition to their 1,000cc sidecar for the IDM, they are also fielding a 600cc sidecar in the World Championship.