It was like stepping into a different world as we drove out of Tallin, onto the highway and out into the Estonian countryside heading due south towards Latvia. Karksi Nuia is not far from the border, so we had journeyed almost the entire country from north to south. As we had landed late, we needed to eat, so stopped at a truly remarkable Historic Viking Village famous for its authentic buildings, atmosphere, activities and food, all formed in the period of ancient Baltic and Scandinavian Viking culture.
We ate from wooden platters, were served by a blond, tattooed and wild-looking country girl clad in furs and animal skins, drank local beer from modern jugs and absorbed the atmosphere of a Viking wooden lodge of the period. Paradoxically, when asked how she had acquired her perfect English, the reply was “from television of course”.
The accommodation was around half an hour further south and proved to be equally interesting. It was another all-wooden set of lodges and buildings, well equipped and comfortable with one exception. All the rooms were in the roof-space and there were no windows in any of the rooms. This was a bit claustrophobic for most of us, but the younger members just got on with it.
On arrival at the track we had heard so much about, we were not disappointed. The facilities were all brand-new, smart green fencing surrounded all the key areas, and the track itself immaculately tailored and graded. Unfortunately, the weather here has been very wet in keeping with most of Europe, and the going is soft sand. Most of the credit for the standard of the track and facilities go to Kert Varik and his organisational team here in Estonia.
Kert and his Finnish passenger Lari Kunnas were one of the more colourful and impressive teams in the recent history of the sport, only missing the 2022 title by four points from Etienne Bax at Rudersberg. His ambition was always to organise a Grand Prix in his home country, and he has achieved that in 2026. If the quality of the racing matches that of the preparation and infrastructure, then this will be a very good and memorable weekend.
We are targeting for interviews - Davy Sanders following his podium in Poland, Lari Kunnas on his comeback ride as he joins Daniel Lielbardis in place of Bruno, Karl Robin Rillo and Kevin Saar for the Quads, and a local Estonian sidecar rider Ular Karing and his passenger Sten Niitsoo, subject to their English. It would also be good to get a few words (and it will be a few words) from Kert Varik himself on how he feels now the big weekend has arrived.
Meanwhile the teams continue to arrive, the atmosphere continues to build, and race weekend approaches fast. Stay across all other news as it becomes available on www.fimsidecarcross.com along with all our social media outlets.
From Barry Nutley
