David Van Boven - World Championships 2012
For the first time I can remember, a Championship was organized in July. Every year before, this had been in September/October.
This would mean the weather would be good and a dry beach. After Hoylake last year what was very muddy wet, we thought that it couldn’t get worse.
Leaving on a Sunday morning with Teammate Robert Smits and John Jansen, we drove to the sunshine bay of Cherrueix. This is in Bretagne near Mont-Saint-Michel (approx 10 min driving).
Well we arrived and the only thing we saw, was a muddy and wet beach. No driving possibilities without a drysuit.
The first 2 days were only relaxing, getting our kite-buggy’s prepared. Checking our lines and do the registration.
While we had to drink the local beers (lots of them ) from the Irish, we prepared for a long sleep to power up our energy sources and get ready for racing. Robert, John and I shared a tent and because of the snoring of Robert it was quite hard to get a decent sleep.
First race day would be on Wednesday, the beach was still wet, rainy France and 15°c didn’t helped a lot! First we got a ride on a test-track for getting to know the beach and after that the race would start. Koen, the race-master, gave the signal for the race.
I took off with my Yakuza GT 8.3m² which seemed to be a good choice. Thierry from France was also on his 8.3, Mark and Robert opted for the 6.8m².
After some laps I could catch up some people while driving thru mud and water all time. The last round I was leading the pack but because I had to give right of way, I came in a muddy part and did a 720 turn which made me on place 3 on the last marker. Luckily I could end up 2nd. Thierry did a great performance and ended up 3rd! Ozone dominating the podium on Day 1. 2nd race was cancelled due to rain and lack of wind.
After this race it was quite clear that we needed disc wheels if we wanted to perform on this beach. Not everyone was as lucky to have disc wheels and could not get the speed other did on the next days. Robert, Mark, Thierry and me didn’t had disc wheels…
Luckily I could lend some of Pete Stinson (thanks mate!) which made me stay in the top 5 for the next days. I only did 2 races with disc wheels (of the 7) because they weren’t as strong as I hoped for. I kept 1 on the front because the lateral forces are less when u are drifting then on the back.
Other days were almost the same. Driving with the Yakuza GT 6.8 or 8.3, muddy, rain and quite cold for July!
In the end, I could get some good ranks in the races and I ended up 5th place overall!
During this week I was saved of material failure, when Thierry, Robert and Mark had several broken lines, collisions and a lot of bad luck. Thierry ended up 19th place, when Robert and Mark just missed the top 25.
Thanks to the organization for a great week. Everything was like it should be, except the weather.
Thumbs up to Walter Carels and Joshua Koppes for using their pictures; www.pbase.com/waltercarels www.jkoppespictures.nl
Good Winds!
David Van Boven
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