After two years of absence, the 24-hour Solexrace Festival in Heeswijk-Dinther is back. And this year it’s bigger than ever. The festival visitors are unanimous: “It’s one big conviviality.” Here and there are still tinkered and oil or petrol topped up before the 24-hour race really starts.
While the truck race is underway further on, various preparations are being made in garage 66. “If he crosses the finish line in one piece, we’ll finish in the top ten anyway,” says one of the guys who is tinkering. “It’s my first year participating and I don’t have a good idea what to expect from it, but I’m definitely excited.”
At garage 68 they know all too well what to expect in the next 24 hours. “We are now doing this for the eleventh time and this will also be the last time.”
The team is aging quickly. “And it’s time for the kids to take it all over.” It is mainly about the atmosphere and the fun, they explain. “You just have to experience it. It’s really fantastic.”
The race also immediately raises as much money as possible for KiKa. This is a foundation that supports children with cancer by raising money for scientific research.
Festival bigger than ever
“We do not grow out of our jacket,” says organizer Roy van der Heijden. This year the festival has 75 acts, a new tent, a special children’s program and the largest brown café in the Netherlands. “We have taken a significant step, we have grown in size and visitors and we are really very happy with that.”
The festival is increasingly referred to as ‘the Black Cross of Brabant’. There will also be room for expansion in the coming year, but Van der Heijden wants to ensure that it retains the small and intimate atmosphere. “Because that makes us, us.”
‘Heeswijk accelerates!’
A little further on the track is driven by monster trucks. Part of the festival before the actual Solexrace starts.
“This is really fantastic. I enjoy it immensely”, says one of the visitors. Soon he will get into a car himself. “The sound, lots of people around, the smell. It’s just beautiful to see.”
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