We're trying something new, a small preview & blog for this weekend's Euro B race written by yours truly...
Click Read More for the Full monty writeup.


Euro B or not to B?

Actually that is a question I must put to EFRA, which name is correct? (Having spent approx 30 seconds on the web, I can conclusively tell you its Euro-B!)
So the little-Brother of the two European Championships makes its annual return, this year the venue is the little town of Gland in the Vaud canton of Switzerland, by Lake Geneva...
For you who didn't read the bold above, click read more for the rest!

I’d like to start off briefly explaining the Euro B to those who may be unfamiliar with it. The concept of running a ‘junior’ or ‘sportsman’ European Championship (EC) had been floating around for sometime, as the main EC was consistently oversubscribed. The decision was taken in late 2003 to go ahead with an EC for ‘B’ drivers – with the aim to encourage new blood into the class and serving as a gentle introduction to top-level racing. Five years down the line and the ‘B’ has proven quite the hit with drivers.
In that time lots of tweaks have been made to improve the race, after last year’s victory for Lee Martin the rules were changed to read: “Entries will not be allowed for drivers who… has ever taken part in an EFRA European Championship A main final in any class of racing.” In my opinion a positive move, albeit there will inevitably be someone a-bit-too-quick who could slip through!

Something that’s quite hard not to notice is the number of German Champions in the short existence of the ‘B’, three champions in five years, the Deutsche’s love-affair for the ‘B’ extends as far as having hosted two of the events. Although last year’s result would have dampened their spirits.
The name ‘B’ shouldn’t fool you into thinking the level of racing is a bit rubbish, getting into the semis and final will be a tough old slog and there are plenty of quick guys hungry for silverware.

Having not personally been to a ‘B’ before, driver predictions will be pretty tough, but on paper, the UK team with their grass experience should be strong, along with the French & Italian teams. There are a couple of others to look out for; Yaël Zurflüh – home driver, David Ronnefalk – with Orion backing, I fancy a Swedish victory! Having put my neck out, we’ll probably see someone completely new win!

A big talking point ahead of the race has been the track, we found out not too long ago, it would in fact be a grass track – personally I am no fan of offroad grass tracks; but it will be interesting to see the jumps/obstacles and getting into good positions for photographs?! Joking aside, in a way its nice for the hobby to return to it's roots of flat and fast tracks. Looking at the weather forecast, it has the makings of a great weekend, and with grass maybe we won’t face the clouds of dust which plague summer racing.

Hopefully I can keep you all updated and interested on how it’s going, I’m hitchhiking with our EFRA 1/8 Offroad Section Chairman Carlos Gomez, so I will have to take care on what I write or face the full might of the EFRA PR machine! We’re staying at the ‘hotel by the beach’ which should be an exhilirating experience!
I hope you’ve enjoyed this little preview/blog, let me know what you want more/less of!



Follow the Euro B on Neo Buggy from Friday till Sunday.