For team manager Thomas Eder, the racing bug is so deeply ingrained that he Supersport as a guest rider on a Yamaha at the Schleizer Dreieck in the IDM Supersport class, where his rider Thomas Gradinger is also on the starting grid. Eder is no stranger to the scene.
So far, he has been cautious and has repeatedly postponed his plans, but at the Schleizer Dreieck, Thomas Eder is getting serious and will race in the IDM Supersport. “I’ve been thinking about this for a whole year,” says the 38-year-old Bavarian, “and now that the season is already well underway, I have to do it now.” He already has the necessary license, “because I’ve competed as a guest rider in the Alpe Adria Cup before,” explains the 2019 Austrian Superstock 600 class champion.
But the IDM isn’t entirely new to Eder either. As a Yamaha R6 Dunlop Cup rider in 2014 and 2015, he had the opportunity to compete in two guest starts in the Supersport: at Schleiz and at Hockenheim. Even now, he doesn’t want to stop at just one start. “I’m taking full advantage of the opportunity for three guest starts,” he says—that’s the current plan— “I also want to race at the Red Bull Ring and in Hockenheim. In Hockenheim, I’ll finally be able to have a drink again.” Eder is currently abstaining completely from alcohol. It’s entirely voluntary. Seven months ago, he made a bet for 100 liters of beer and a suckling pig—which will be his if he sticks with it until the Hockenheim finale in September. Eder plans to win the bet and is reaping even greater benefits from it: “I’ve never been as fit as I am now.”