FIM Track Racing Youth project

The Final of the 125cc Youth Gold Trophy in Morizes on Saturday marked the conclusion of a successful week of youth track racing events held under the guidance of FIM.

The Training Camp in Prague was voted a great success with Greg Hancock in attendance through out and visits too from world champions Erik Gundersen and Jan O Pedersen as well as former rider and now FIM Track Racing Director Armando Castagna. Tuition in the theoretical and practical aspects of racing was combined with sporting activities such as swimming and cycling and a visit to the Jawa factory.

Incorporated into the Training Camp was the Speedway Youth World Championship 250cc held over two semi finals and which saw 32 riders compete in the inaugural running of this competition. A rain affected Final on Thursday saw Denmark’s Jonas Knudsen lift the trophy with a 15 point maximum after the final race was abandoned following a heavy downpour. This was much to the delight of Danish Youth boss Gundersen who, almost exactly 32 years before had won the World Championship in Bradford. Poland’s Karol Zupinski was second and Philip Hellstrom-Bangs from Sweden, third.

Earlier in the week the FIM Long Track Youth World Cup had been held in Pardubice where another Danish victory saw Mads Hansen take the top place with Celina Liebmann in second spot, maintaining her reputations as one of the top ranking German juniors. Charlie Brooks from Great Britain was third.

In Morizes, it was Germany who won top spot in the Youth Gold Trophy meeting with Jonny Wynant taking the final ahead of Czech Republic’s Pavel Kuchar and Daniel Klima. There was disappointment for Harry McGurk from Great Britain who, after two promising heat wins, took a heavy fall in his third ride and had to withdraw.

Another demonstration of FIM’s commitment to youth development saw many of the participants move onto the world stage for the first time and all will have benefitted from the experience. Enduring images are of Greg Hancock taking the riders on a track walk, Keynon Rew having to be consoled after failing to make the final in the 250cc Championship and Jedd List giving a lift to Celinea Liebmann after she had fallen in their last race. This was not just a chivalrous act but a demonstration of the respect and friendship which the whole event had generated amongst those involved and an experience they will not forget.

Graham Brodie