The European Individual Grass Track raced its third and last event in Swingfield, a small and nice village located approximately 10 km north of Folkestone on the North Downs.
With heavy rain the day before the event, the Swingfield circuit was in excellent condition, ready to host the top eighteen Grass Track riders from across Europe. With three riders from Denmark, two from France, four from Germany, four from the Netherlands and six riders from the host federation the event was going to be a close fought battle.
On the morning of the event, a large crowd and riders alike were met with sunny autumn conditions, which lasted into the early afternoon, before the temperature dropped later in the day – but more importantly the rain held off, offering idea track conditions and a circuit that produced very close and fast racing.
The meeting was hotly contested throughout the four sessions of the qualifying heats, with “Flying Dutchman” Roman Hummel being unbeaten during his four rides.
Home riders and former European Grass Track Champion Zach Wajtknecht was close behind Hummel, dropping only one point in his second qualifying heat.
Having completed all their qualifying heats, the riders were then split into three finals C, B and A, with the winner and second placed riders from the B Final being elevated into the last two places in the A Final.
With rain forecast later in the afternoon, the pressure was one to ensure that the meeting was completed whilst the race circuit was in still in a great condition.
However, in the A Final, Hummel was out gated by home riders Zach Wajtknecht and fellow Chris (Bomber) Harris, both of whom led out of the first corner. With the European title in his sights, Hummel passed Wajtknecht by the end of the first lap before overtaking Harris in the end of the second lap. After that Hummel set a fast pace and was unchallenged as he crossed the finish line added the 2022 FIME European Individual Grass Track title to his every expanding portfolio of successes.
Final classification
1. Romano Hummel, Netherlands
2. Chris Harris, Great Britain
3. Zach Wajtknecht, Great Britain
4. Paul Cooper, Great Britain
5. Jacob Bukhave, Denmark
6. Kenneth Kruse Hansen, Denmark
The FIM Europe would like to take this occasion to celebrate and greet the ACU Track Racing Secretary, Mrs. Tracey Cossar, who after this last race as Jury Secretary retires from her role in the ACU.
She began her adventure March 1981, working in the Licencing department. In 2001 she joined the Track Racing department, supporting British Grass Track, Long Track and Speedway as the ACU Track Racing Secretary for the past 21 years.
From the whole FIM Europe family, thank you for your commitment!
Report by FIM Europe – Images courtesy of Jesper Veldhuizen