The schedule for the IDM Sidecar has been finalized. In 2022, five races in the class up to 600 cc will be held as part of the IDM events. As in the past two years, the season finale will take place during the Sidecar Festival in Oschersleben. The event at the Motorsport Arena is scheduled for September 30 through October 2. The class for engines up to 1000 cm³ will not continue due to low participation numbers.
Dates:
May 6–8: Lausitzring, Germany
June 24–26: Most, Czech Republic
July 22–24: Schleiz, Germany
September 2–4: Red Bull Ring, Austria
September 23–25: Hockenheim, Germany
September 30–October 2: Oschersleben, Germany
In the past, the IDM Sidecar series featured an additional classification for teams from the Netherlands and Belgium. According to Robert Werth, chairman of the IGG (Interessengemeinschaft Gespannrennen), the Dutch association (KNMV) has withdrawn from this classification and is now organizing its own national series. However, according to Werth, any potential loss of participants could be offset by interest in the IDM from new teams. High on the list are 17-year-old Lennard Göttlich with passenger Uwe Neubert, as well as Ted and Vincent Peugeot from France with their compatriots Claude Vinet and Melanie Farnier.
Mourning the Loss of Gunter Verbrugge
Last Sunday, Gunter Verbrugge passed away. Recent events had taken a heavy toll on the Belgian. The longtime passenger of Dutch rider John Smits passed away at the age of 59. The often reserved Belgian with the friendly smile was a fixture in the sidecar paddock until 2019. He was warm, ambitious, and loyal, and he occasionally let his playful side show. Doing a headstand in the sidecar—he was really good at that.
In the 2013 season, Gunter Verbrugge became a regular driver for Smits Racing after the Belgian and the Dutchman had already stood on the podium following their first race together in the 1000cc class. It marked the beginning of many successes, but they also made sure to have plenty of fun along the way. Smits Racing won the Dutch Championship (ONK).
Two Belgian championship titles capped off local driver Verbrugge's personal season, including the pole position 
Position in the 2019 season at Zolder, Belgium. Even in the highly competitive IDM—a major challenge—the RCN-Yamaha sidecar team came close to winning the title in the 1000cc class. Smits and Verbrugge won two IDM races in 2019, including the season finale at Hockenheim.
John Smits and Gunter Verbrugge had retired at the peak of their careers. In 2019, the two won the final race in the 1000cc class as a team at the IDM Grand Final in Hockenheim.