IDM Sidecar: Reeves from the pole, Sattler with a new engine

IDM Sidecar: Reeves from the pole, Sattler with a new engine

Tim Reeves and Kevin Rousseau secured pole position in qualifying. The two will head into the second half of the season as championship leaders. Photo: Dino Eisele, Text: Rowena Hinzmann

The IDM Sidecars kick off the second half of the season with the race weekend in Spielberg. Tim Reeves and Kevin Rousseau (Bonovo Action Team/Adolf RS F1) picked up right where they left off in Schleiz: They dominated qualifying on Saturday morning and will start the races from pole position. “Spielberg is a great track, and we’re looking forward to two good and exciting races,” said the eight-time world champion afterward.

Joining them on the starting grid are Josef Sattler and Luca Schmidt (Bonovo Action Team/Adolf RS F1). They managed to significantly improve their qualifying times compared to the previous day. “We’d installed a new engine beforehand, but it broke down right in the first practice session,” said Sattler. The engine was replaced that very evening, allowing them to hit the ground running at full throttle in practice again. “Now everything is back on track, and we can continue to focus on what matters most: competing with the world’s best,” Sattler added. The German duo currently trails championship leaders Reeves/Rousseau by 24 points and remains confident about defending their title. “With six races to go, anything is still possible,” said the Bavarian.

Starting from third on the second row are Pekka Päivärinta and Ilse De Haas (LCR), followed by guest riders Ben Birchall and Tom Birchall (Birchall Racing/LCR). The four-time world champion is making his first appearance in the IDM to prepare for next year’s world championship by racing against Reeves, Sattler, and others. The two British brothers are also making their debut at the Red Bull Ring this weekend.

Starting from the third row are Lennard Göttlich and Uwe Neubert (Bonovo Action Team/Adolf RS F1), as well as Max Zimmermann and Ronja Mahl (Team Zimmermann/Adolf RS F1).

The sprint race on Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. will be broadcast live at www.idm.de/live and can be watched for free.

 

IDM Sidecar, Qualifying

  1. Tim REEVES/Kevin ROUSSEAU (GBR/FRA)
  2. Josef SATTLER/Luca SCHMIDT (GER)
  3. Pekka PÄIVÄRINTA/Ilse de HAAS (FIN/NLD)
  4. Ben BIRCHALL / Tom BIRCHALL (GBR)
  5. Lennard GÖTTLICH/Uwe NEUBERT (DEU)
  6. Max ZIMMERMANN/Ronja MAHL (GER)
  7. Peter KIMESWENGER/Ondrej SEDLACEK (AUT/CZE)
  8. Markus SCHWEGLER/Markus BILLICH (GER/AUT)
  9. Janez REMSÉ/Manfred WECHSELBERGER (SLO/AUT)
  10. Eero PÄRM/Lauri LIPSTOK (EST)
  11. Wiggert KRANENBURG/Jermaine VAN MIDDEGAAL (NLD)
  12. Jakob RUTZ/Thomas HOFER (CHE)