Imagine living high up in the north-east of Europe next door to Russia. That is certainly not a problem. Estonia is a beautiful, if sparsely populated country adjoining Latvia and Russia. The only downside of living in a far-off part of the continent is the sheer distance needed to travel to chase your dreams.
That is what Gert Gordejev does, Kert Varik before him, and other Estonian teams did, and still do for many seasons. Sure, there are more local GP’s such as Latvia and Poland, but those two are but a small part of the season with most races held in Western, Central or Southern Europe.
Despite these challenges, Gordejev has announced another full campaign in 2025, this time accompanied by the quite remarkable Rodolphe Lebreton. The young Frenchman has shown a high degree of versatility having jumped in with several high-profile drivers and performed well. More recently he had a successful time with Tim Prummer, and a couple of seasons ago was in the hot seat with none other than ten-times world champion Daniel Willemsen.
The new partnership will be an interesting one, not least of all because of the travel challenges between the pair.
Gert Gordejev has again secured the services of a well-proven sidekick whilst the young Frenchman has yet another driver capable of getting out of the gate keenly and setting a good pace. Twelfth last season, Gert will be looking to make a top ten placing, as indeed will his eager new partner.
Interestingly, another young enthusiastic passenger who has also ridden with the Estonian is now teaming up with compatriot Wilfred Vos. Aivar van de Wiel, former IMBA champion and Dutch National champion passenger joins Wilfred, a known sand specialist who has pledged to do the full 2025 campaign. Fresh from a season with Gert van Werven, Aivar is a happy face in the paddock, and this is indeed welcome news.
Having taken in the odd GP in 2024, Wilfred collected a single qualifying point along the way, underlining his capability to run at the sharp end. This is another pairing who clearly feel they have a point to prove and are a good addition to the mix. With all the new names and new team structures so far, the “silly season” is far from over.
Joining the ranks of brother pairings come Boyd and Peer Verhees from the Netherlands. Aged seventeen and sixteen years respectively, Boyd made a couple of appearances in 2024 partnered by Arne Vanhamel, as Peer was too young to compete in international competitions. Now of age, he has stepped onto the world stage along with his brother as graduates of Hollands “Kids and Sidecars” academy. Boyd will undergo scaphoid bone surgery in the closed season, with all eyes on 2025.
Many other top teams have yet to state their plans, but the list is building nicely, so stay with us as we continue to bring you everything as it happens here on www.fimsidecarcross.com and all our social media platforms.
From Barry Nutley.
