Following a challenging period marked by the loss of his father, Markus Venus has returned to the track with renewed focus. The 44-year-old racer recently completed an intensive two-day test session at the Pannonia-Ring in Hungary alongside his partner, Thomas Hofer. Their primary objective was to accumulate significant mileage to better adapt to the demands of asphalt circuit racing.
For Venus, the transition from dirt-track racing to road-based sidecar competition presents a steep learning curve. While he is a seasoned expert in grass and sand track racing, the technical requirements of asphalt circuits demand a different approach. "I still find road racing challenging in terms of experience. In sidecar dirt-track racing, no one can teach me anything; I know every track and how to handle different surfaces. Conversely, I simply lack the necessary kilometers in sidecar road racing, so I must drive and accumulate mileage. The test days in Hungary were ideal for us," Venus stated, as reported by Speedweek.
During their time on the 4.7-kilometer circuit, the ITW Racing team completed eight 30-minute sessions. This high-intensity schedule allowed them to conduct technical experiments that are impossible during a standard race weekend. "We drove more than we originally planned. It was great training for Thomas and myself, and of course for the whole team. Unlike during race events, here you have time to test unusual things. We managed to gain a lot of insights for the next season," he added.
Throughout the 2026 Sidecar World Championship, the duo of Venus and Hofer demonstrated commendable consistency. They finished inside the top ten in seven out of eight rounds, with their best performance being an eighth-place finish in the main race at Rijeka. This consistency helped them secure eighth place in the final world championship standings.
With the 2026 season concluded, the team is now looking toward the 2027 campaign. The official calendar has been set, featuring the return of racing at the Schleizer Dreieck in early August. Venus is optimistic that the data and experience gathered through these intensive test sessions will serve as a solid foundation to improve their competitiveness in the upcoming season, which will once again culminate at the Sidecar Festival in Oschersleben.
Baca Juga
Regulasi teknis baru memicu gelombang boikot dari tim peserta sidecar di Isle of Man TT. Baca analisis mendalam di sini.
Mercedes-Benz bekukan investasi di Jerman dan kaji penutupan pabrik akibat jalan buntu negosiasi buruh. Baca analisis mendalam di sini.
Simak ulasan lengkap Dacia Spring terbaru dengan platform anyar, performa motor listrik bertenaga, dan jarak tempuh optimal. Baca analisis mendalam di sini.
Lanjutkan dengan Google
Diskusi & Komentar (0)
Mari Bergabung dalam Diskusi!
Masuk dengan mudah untuk mulai memberikan komentar, membalas, dan berinteraksi dengan pembaca lainnya.
Komentar Terbaru
Belum ada komentar. Jadilah yang pertama!