Romano Hummel from Hoogkerk won the last two matches of the Dutch Open Grass Track, but the Dutch title is for Dave Meijerink from Schuinesloot.
Meijerink, pig farmer in addition to being a motorcycle racer in daily life, had already built up a considerable lead in the standings for the races on Friday in Staphorst and Saturday in Uithuizen. He only had to collect enough points to beat Hummel, who finished second in the title fight, and Mika Meijer from Winschoten. That worked out excellently despite the strong driving Hummel.
The grass track racer from Overijssel won his first Dutch title in the international specials. In the past three years, Meijerink has always finished in second place behind the then unapproachable Hummel, who seemed to have a subscription to the Dutch championship. So that came to an end this year. Partly because the man from Hoogkerk missed the competition in the Frisian Noordwolde. Meijerink struck right there. He won all his races there, collected many points and took over the lead in the standings of the ONK from Hummel.
Protest because of too few riders in Noordwolde
A few days before Noordwolde, Hummel participated in a World Championship long track competition in Marmande in France and, it was said, could not start during the ONK competition ‘due to logistical problems’. The Hummel camp is not yet resigned to the result of the Dutch championship. A protest has been lodged, because the number of participants in Noordwolde would have been too small. Therefore, the match should not count.
After a fierce battle on Friday in Staphorst, where Hummel Meijerink stayed ahead by one point, the ONK final was held in Uithuizen on Saturday. Although the defending champion won all his heats, he collected only five points more than his main competitor. Meijerink became champion after five ONK matches with a total of 139 points, followed by the silver Hummel with 117 and Meijer with 114 points.
Sidecar title for Wilfred Detz and Bonita van Dijk
With the sidecars, who picked up the sporting thread again after the fatal accident in Eenrum, the open Dutch title was for Wilfred Detz and Bonita van Dijk from Musselkanaal. Wendy Arling, who was in the box for a number of races, also shared in the championship glory. The English duo Mitch Godden and Paul Smith took the day victory in Uithuizen. The highly ranked British lost the necessary points on Friday due to equipment failure in Staphorst and could no longer prevent Detz/Van Dijk from winning the title during the races in Uithuizen.