After several days of Mediterranean weather, conditions for Saturday qualifying at the 2026 World Sidecarcross Championship British GP at Canada Heights in Kent were dry, humid and extremely testing. With thirty crews entered and making the trip, there would be no need for Last Chance qualifying. The same was true of the Quads, who would also all make the gate. The track was a mixture of sand and hard pack, with extensive watering also delivering a few soft patches in difficult places.
Words by Barry Nutley – Images courtesy of WSC
Would the track play into the hands of left-handed sidecars? Only time would tell, and that time had arrived. Free practice gave all the teams the chance to make that decision for themselves. Groups “A” and “B” were sorted, and the wheels began to roll. The free sessions proved the track had been well prepared, with all the teams circulating well. The red plate holders slotted straight into the groove, looking very much at home. Tim Prummer also gave his nod of approval, so all was well with the track.
As the morning developed, we were treated to around forty heavy four-stroke outfits from the seventies and eighties, including none other than four-times world champion and EML Jumbo exponent Hansi Bachtold with Martin Betschart alongside. These veteran gladiators are also on the schedule for a race or two over the weekend.
Timed Practice
Killian and Evan Prunier very sensibly got the job done in their first two laps as they banged in a very quick group “A” time of 2.06.087, a clear one and a half seconds ahead of second placed Davy Sanders/Jens Vincent, with Brett Wilkinson/Joe Millard placed third. Returning to the track in the closing stages, Prunier went even faster, putting in a 2.05.885, giving him good gate choice for the race. It was not quite all over, as the home crew Wilkinson/Millard had a late lunge at the times, jumping second fastest, getting very close to Prunier.
The group “B” teams had a slightly rougher track to contend with, but that is what the ballot is all about. Meanwhile the ambient temperature had risen considerably, calling into question physical condition and fitness. Astonishingly, Marvin Vanluchene/Ben van den Bogaart on their second lap, demolished the earlier Prunier time by a full one second to raise the barrier yet again. The Lielbardis twins sat second fastest from Foden/Weinmann. Remember, these times are only for gate positions for the actual qualification races, and once those races are underway, all ideology and theory will go out the window. Nonetheless, Vanluchene’s speed was an eye-opener and an indication of what we could expect from him. Typically, at half distance, Hermans/Rietman still had to show their hand, but it would certainly come. Indeed, the card was played with ten minutes on the clock as they jumped to fourth fastest, but over four seconds shy of Vanluchene.
Group “A” Qualification
It was an amazing start from the far side for British team Tony Graham/Zak Watson. They must have been thrilled to lead the home qualifier. In second came the Sanders/Vincent outfit with Brett Wilkinson/Joe Millard chasing in third. The Prunier brothers were boxed in from their hard left position as we faced the grid. Prummer and the Leferinks also had a less than good start, so they found themselves fighting around fifth place. Meanwhile, Sanders had gobbled up the holeshotters and was pulling a lead, taking Wilkinson with him.
It looked as if Sanders was away with it, but Wilkinson’s lap times were marginally better, and he found a way past the Belgian/Dutch duo into a lead which eventually became ten seconds. Hot on their case now came team France with the red plate now bearing down on Sanders, moving ahead of him with eight minutes remaining. Wilkinson controlled the lead, and whilst the Leferinks also closed on Sanders, they were unable to pass him.
Result
Group “B” Qualification
This was another close start with Vanluchene and Hermans neck and neck into the first right-hander. Vanluchene had to give way to Hermans, dropping into second place, but took a different line on the opening lap to gain the lead. Hermans looked to have the speed, and this was borne out as he held runner-up spot throughout. Third place was occupied by Dan Foden/Noah Weinmann with Stephan Wijers/Joel Hoffmann battling with Mike Hodges/Ryan Henderson for fourth. They passed the British crew who began to slip back, only to regain second wind when the Lielbardis train came through. The Latvians were making up ground after a poor start, having fought past the Chanteloup brothers, Adrian Peter/Julian Zimmermann and George Kinge/Liam Hodges.
The Lielbardis twins were fast and passed one team after another until they were on the back of Dan Foden towards the end of the race. There was not enough time for them to progress further, so they finished fourth, with Hodges nailing Wijers again on the last lap. Vanluchene’s winning margin was eighteen seconds.
Result
Two Grand Prix races take place today along with a magnificent display by the greats of yesteryear.
