Mike 'Spike' Edwards - International motorcycle racer

Djursland was to be the first visit to Denmark for the IHRO championship; the event was partly organised by Vanni – so as a Danish owned team we were going to ‘fly the flag’.

The track is a test facility for car and truck testing and although a fairly simple shape the banked corners and undulations make it a really fun track to ride, however due to noise regulations it can only have 4 meetings a year.

Because of the distance we decided to fly to Aahurs airport which is ironically only 5km from the track and 30km from Vanni’s house, however, the major drag was the fact we had to drive four hours to Standsted airport and fly Ryanair…..never again….!

Not a bad weekend's trophy haul between us both!

The brothers grim being not so grim

The circuit facility was in use until mid afternoon so everyone was held outside - the atmosphere was great, competitors mingled chatting and catching up on paddock gossip etc, most of the competitors were all from the Nordic region apart from a few Brits that had made the crossing.

Soon the gates opened and we all poured into the paddock and had our first chance to take a look at the track. Walking the track it soon became clear that although fairly simple to learn there were a couple of places where racing experience would help to find the line.

We put up the Molnar truck awning, looked over the bikes and then headed off to the hospitality tent where beer, food and a band were being readied. Once fed and a few scoops of beers downed it was off to bed for the night.

Morning brought bright sunny weather but it was cold to start with. I was only entered in the IHRO races and as a result just a 350 and 500 practice session. Most of the other regular guys had entered everything possible it seemed, so had loads of practice.

When one of my sessions came around I asked Vanni to show me around; he’d raced there a few times and set off into a nice pace to follow. After a few laps I felt I could push on a little so passed him and tried some practice hard braking into the hairpins, all three of them.

There was a section after a long hairpin where you dropped down a steep hill, then went into a long opening out curve uphill then mid corner dropped down another steep descent on to the straight!

Betty is back after practice

Vanni working out where he can make up time

Quite challenging to say the least, but it was going to be the key to a quick lap.

The events main competition was going to come from Mike Cooper and Gary Thwaites.

Gary was here last year and knew his way round – so it would only show up in timed practice whether or not I had managed to learn the track in time.

The first 350 came and I was quickest posting a 56.9 with Mike Cooper second then Vanni third. For the 500 I was once again quickest, with a 55.6 - then Gary and Vanni.

It was clear I had sorted out where I was going but how fast could I go?

I would have to pick up the pace in qualifying to be assured of a comfortable margin for the race.

Adjusting Buster's forks

Second session on the 350 and I went quicker still posting a 56.4, ‘Cooperman’ slid off on cold tyres so it was Vanni that came in second with Martin Hudson third. The 500 was similar with me going quicker and unofficially breaking the circuit and class record with a 54.9, Gary second and Lars Sandberg third.

Before we knew it was time for the first 350 IHRO race, it was a push start and I led from the line to the flag with no worries.

Mike Cooper pushed me early on but I managed to open a gap and then keep it constant until the end. Vanni came in a close third behind him.

Unfortunately there was a bad accident in the parade, causing a long delay, working on such a tight schedule and early curfew meant as a result the rest of the days racing was cancelled until the Sunday.

Both bikes were running spot on, the gearing, suspension and tyres all needed no adjustment so it was off to the beer tent again….great!

The first race of the day was the cancelled 500 race from Saturday, I knew Gary was going well and Cooper’man was not far behind time wise so I didn’t mess about after the start of the race.

Once again it was a push start and Buster fired up like a good’n, not looking back for a few laps I pressed on.

Starting the third lap crossing the line I looked back and I had a huge lead, so I simply just kept going not wanting to slow and break my rhythm.

As it turned out Mike’s machine had failed to fire up and Gary’s machine took three goes before it started so he had a torrid time getting through the traffic; and in the end he was ultimately disqualified for passing on a yellow flag, bu$$er.

Torben Nielsen came in second with Vanni third.

Mike Cooper and I share a joke or two before our race.

Discussing Buster's front brake

Next up was the second 350 race, Cooper’man was fired up for a good result - but unfortunately highsided while leading out of the second hairpin. No sooner had he crashed than Betty’s motor made a strange noise from the engine, then broke her con rod putting me out of the race too!

This left the door open for Vanni to take his first IHRO 350 win; not easily though, he had an epic battle in the early stages of the race with Colin Daily and martin Hudson with Andy Molnar coming home in fourth.

When Vanni returned to the awning all his fans and family were waiting for him and pulled him from the machine and threw him repeatedly up into the air - real local hero stuff.

The last race of the day for me was the second IHRO 500, after his crash Mike Cooper decided not to race having taken a bang to his head; so that left Gary who was determined that I wouldn’t have it easy. However, due to his previous disqualification it meant he had to start from the back. From the start he pushed very hard, ultimately running out of brakes at the end of the back straight and crashing out.

He was knocked about quite a bit and as a result the red flags came out. Eventually he was back on his feet and we restarted the race.

Torben Nielsen had the bit between his teeth and was riding out of his skin setting a quick pace; I felt I could go quicker so followed him round until the last lap, then passed him to take the win - sorry Torben.

Overall a very successful weekend’s racing, Vanni was happy, I was happy and the organisers were happy - that in my book is a job well done.

Vanni changes his 500 rear tyre

Then it was on to the hospitality tent where there was a great atmosphere, and the live band were fantastic - the whole event was really well organised.

Vanni, Mike Cooper and me share the top prizes, once they actually let me get on the stage that is!

It is great to have the chance to chat to other competitors, there seems to be quite a good crossover between classics and supermono.

Kai, Vanni's sponsor heats up delicious hotdogs already wrapped in bread prepared by his wife.