International Road Racing Championship (IRRC) Rd.6 Frohburg, 23.9.-25.9.16
In my Technorama report I stated that the next meeting would be Köthen on first weekend in October but one came between I didn't have on the list initially. To be ready for Köthen I bought a tent and sleeping bag but didn't see a chance to test both. I then read a pre-race weekend report about the final IRRC round in 2016 and decided to do the road trip down there. The trip was almost cancelled for me when I became sick on Monday in the week running up to the Frohburg weekend. Eventually, I won the race against the clock and became fit for Thursday at work and could take the trip. In order to get away in time I quit work an hour early but before I had to pack the bike.
The trip alone became an adventure. I figured I`d need a fuel stop come Könnern along the A14 from Magdeburg to Leipzig so I laid my route from Peine to Wolfenbüttel, down the A395 towards the Harz mountains and then hard left along the B6 in direction Bernburg. Unbeknown to the A395 became a building site with only one lane open almost the entire way before going on to the B6. Needless to say, I was stuck in a fine traffic jam for almost an hour. But when I hit the empty B6 I finally could pull the cable. And the old lady went 160, 170, 180 km/h no problem. At Bernburg I then had to turn right on to the A14 southbound towards Leipzig. When I arrived Könnern, I was still a bit above half tank so I decided to go on for now. I still had not arrived Leipzig, thanks to another slow zone building sites along, but the needle had dropped below 1/4th tank already and I decided to better refuel. I rode on and eventually managed to reach an Autohof at Leipzig Nord, near the Porsche factory for the much needed refuel. From there it was just another hour into the south of Leipzig, first hitting Borna and then riding into Frohburg. After an "lap of honour" through Frohburg, I finally arrived on the camping ground and built my tent up. The 3h road trip had turned into a four and a half hour trip.
Thanks to the lost time, I was unable to make my trackwalk once around the 4.5 km road course since it was dark when I was finished with the tent.. To add to my troubles the campinground was very bumpy the bike haven't had a good stable stand, so I went around looking for a piece of wood to stabilize the sidestand. On my way I bumped into a bike I had seen racing at the Technorama in Hildesheim. It was the 500cc HB Suzuki of Peter Duddens that would race in the 2T-Trophy here in Frohburg. I got to talk to Peter, that I remembered his bike and stuff and he kindly offered me a piece of wood for the bikes stand. I went around further in the again mixed paddock/camping ground. This time an Austrian team from the Twin Cup camped next to me and Jochem van der Hoek from IRRC's Superbike class no 25m away from me. I must say that I love the atmosphere during these meetings. It is open paddock and you don't get closer to teams and machines.
The reminder of Friday went uneventful. A couple tents further some AC/DC fans put on a great night show but some other campers were not so happy and so the music finished shortly before midnight.
I awoke Saturday morning at 6am and thought it would be good to take the trip to the loo and shower container early. Looking up on the tents tarp I saw water running down inside left and right so I quickly peeled off the sleeping bag and went. On my way back I picked up a coffee at one of the food waggons. Back at the tent I dried the tarp inside and started my stroll through the paddock. During my evening walk I spotted a tent with TT Merchandise and wanted to give it a look. I went down to the crossroad, turned left on the walkway and suddenly the well known voice of an elderly man kindly asked me if I could move a little so he could film his teams awning. I turned around and
looked Roy Moore, of Manxradio TT Ramsey Hairpin fame, into the eye. Needless to say I was completely baffled but eventually I got my voice back and asked in my best English what the heck he was doing there. It turned out that his son Peter would take a start in the Twin Cup and the 2T-Trophy races. I had a look at the tent and there was a Manx flag hanging at the backwall along with a small signature that read Moot#45. Looking further, I suddenly saw a familiar face spannering on Peters bikes. A familiar face I never met before but with whom I was in contact on several road racing forums before. Turned out that Brian is Peter's cousin. We shook hands and introduced us to each other, shaking heads on how small this world sometimes is. From that minute I stood with the Moot#45 gang to which some more family members, friends and Peters girlfriend Rachel belonged, too.
The picture above shows Roy Moore and Rachel on the left, Peter and Brian on the right looking at the Twin Peter just had crashed in second Twin practice. Not his fault, though since oil sprayed into the fairing and was pressed on the rear tire from there. But the crash left Peter with a bruised ankle and wrist, making it impossible to take a start in the final 2T practice. The bike was destroyed beyond repair at the spot so Peter became a non starter in both Twin Cup races. Brian though made a bit of good fun when the smashed bike returned by writing "For Sale – Hardly Used – One careful owner" on some sticky tape and glueing it over the clearly broken front fairing. Later it would turn out that Brian acted as a translator over at Penz13.com for the three English riders Michael Rutter, Gary Johnson and Danny Webb.
Above it is Peter in the first 2T Practice, exiting final corner. Now that the first day was finished for Peter, the family went to watch the races. I helped Rachel to secure the drink supply up to the final corner. Up there I translated a bit here and there for the family. What really baffles me to this day is that I seemingly was the only one to recognize Roy. After the first Twin race we applauded Shaun Anderson to his victory and waited for the Supersports. The concluding sidecar trophy race then was stopped after an incident on lap one on the opposite side of the circuit and cancelled.
We went back to the teams awaning for a drink or two when these three looked around.
Michael Rutter (granddad according to Gary Johnson), Gary himself and Danny Webb signing someones photos and having a beer at the Moot#45 awning. Later that night before joining the pricegiving ceremony for Shaun Anderson we'd have a practice session in golf there. Unfortunately, I can't find my proving photos ..errrmm . After joining the pricegiving ceremony at the party tent that night, I ended up at Jochem van der Hoeks awning and finally got into my tent by 15 past 3am.
Not the best for a 7am start but I was still early enough for a not too long wait at the loo&shower containers. After waffles and coffee for breakfast I looked around at the Moot#45 camp but it was still locked down, so I went for another coffee. When I returned with my coffee, Peter and Rachel turned up straight from their hotel but I was already excusing me of to my favourite T1 spot for the opening superbike race, which Michael Rutter should win by 0.1 of a sec from Didier Grams. Michael really did his thing this day and won 4 out of the 4 superbike races.
Michael Rutter into T1 in the first superbike race
Gary Johnson and Danny Webb follow Johan Fredriks into T1
After race 1 had finished I was on my way back to the Moot#45 camp to see whether Peter would take a start but then the Moore family rolled towards me and invited me to come with them to the T1 grandstand and even paid my entry fee for the seat. Up there was not so good to photograph
so I have not much pics from up there. After the third superbike race I`d go to pack up anyway. We cheered on Shaun Anderson up there sealing another Twin victory, watched Peter in first 2T race and cheered on Michael Rutter after each of his following to victories.
I then went back to the Moot#45 awning to recharge my mobile and to pack up bags and the tent giving the next supersport race a miss. I remained until after Peters 2nd race at the circuit but had to go then. No chance of making the concluding 3 races. I`ll definately return next year. One of the best meeting you can think of, really. Here's Peter at the pre-start for his second race.
The return home was rather uneventless since I took the southern route home along the A38 towards Göttingen and from Nordhausen the B243 towards Seesen. On to A7 , A39 and off at Salzgitter Lebenstedt/Lengede got me home too but also took 3.5h and I made it in the final remains of light.
I`ll definately be back at Frohburg. Great, friendly meeting in a very scenic, hilly landscape. If you ever have the chance to follow the Moore family during a meeting just do it. One of the best things that ever happened to me. There's no I and you but a very we and our where everyone coming along belongs to the we and our. Honest lads and truly fine folks. Really a great experience that earned me an invitation to the Isle of Man. And to the IRRC round in Horice next year but this will be hopefully part of another story. Now it is packing for the Classic Cup Meeting in Köthen come Saturday.
I hope you enjoyed my report. Stay tuned
Cheers !
