The unexpected often happens. Christian Stange, who normally rides for Go Eleven in the Supersport, suddenly shows up at the Lausitzring on a private Kawasaki, its fairing plastered with plenty of “Wahr” decals. Is the 20-year-old’s World Championship career—he’s from Heidenau in Saxony—already over again? “Not at all,” comes the answer without a moment’s hesitation. “We currently have a four-week break in the World Championship, and the races at the Lausitzring offer a great opportunity for training. I need to put in the miles, because I haven’t gotten much riding in this year—or last year, for that matter.”
Stange’s race bike, bearing the number “88”—the same as in the World Championship—is not on par with the competition’s motorcycles. “I have neither data recording nor any other technical refinements. My participation came together overnight. A conversion wouldn’t have been worth it.” Stange is glad that a few people are helping him out financially. He has the prominent “Wahr” logo on his fairing because Kevin Wahr’s father, Bernd, covered his entry fee. Another sponsor took care of the tires.