The second race of the season in the IDM junior class ended with a nail-biting finish. Just 0.075 seconds separated race winner Harry Khouri (16, AUS, Benjan Racing Team) on a Kawasaki from Colin Velthuizen (16, NL, RT Motorsports by SKM Kawasaki) on another Ninja 400, who ultimately finished third. In a tight pack with Yamaha riders Rick Dunnik (18, NL, Zuwi-HDRacing) and Melvin von der Vaart (15, NL, Team SWPN), the four riders crossed the finish line.
As in the first race, the top German finisher was Marvin Siebdrath (16, Wildenfels, RT-Motorsports by SKM-Kawasaki) in seventh place, who narrowly edged out Thom Molenaar (19, NL, Molenaar Racing) on a KTM.
With his first victory in the IDM, Harry Khouri has made up for his mistake in yesterday’s race. The strong Australian from last year’s championship-winning team had crashed and failed to score any points. He has already won three national championship races in his home country. Khouri held his own in a typical Supersport featuring numerous position changes.
The 16-year-old Kawasaki rider from Richmond entered the decisive final lap in the lead and defended his position with a razor-thin margin of 0.011 seconds. “I wasn’t sure how to approach the final lap,” Khouri said after his victory. “Before the last corner, I opened the brakes a little earlier than my competitors, and that was enough.”
After finishing third in the first race, Rick Dunnik has now secured second place, earning more valuable points toward the championship. The Dutch rider from Staphorst was runner-up in the IDM junior class last season. Melvin van der Voort, the previous day’s race winner and the fastest in qualifying, could only manage fourth place this time in the fierce battle for the race win. He lost his third-place finish due to a penalty for exceeding the track limits on the final lap.
The next championship races will take place as part of a doubleheader in the IDM on September 7 and 8 at the Sachsenring and from September 11 to 13 at the Lausitzring.
IDM Supersport , Race 2
Results
Distance: 9 laps (4.555 kilometers) = 40.955 km (shortened)
1. Harry Khouri (AUS, Benjan Racing Team), Kawasaki, average speed 144.221 km/h
2. Rick Dunnik (NL, Zuwi-HDRacing), Yamaha, + 0.011 sec.
3. Colin Velthuizen (NL, RT Motorsport by SKM-Kawasaki), Kawasaki, + 0.075 sec.
4. Melvin van der Voort (NL, Team SWPN), Yamaha, + 0.061 sec.
5. Luca de Vleeschauwer (B, RT-Motorsports by SKM-Kawasaki), Kawasaki, + 2.202 sec.
6. Ruben Bijman (NL, Pearle Gebben Racing), Yamaha, +2.312 sec.
Fastest lap: Rick Dunnik in 1:52.646 min. (145.517 km/h)