07-10-2008
Daniël Willemsen of Lochem, the Netherlands, with his Swiss sidecar partner Reto Grütter, has won the world sidecarcross championship for the seventh time in Dardon Gueugnon, France. With one more GP to go in Rudersberg in Germany on 14 September, the team garnered enough points to become 2008 Grand Prix Champion in the penultimate Grand Prix. That makes them the first team to win seven world titles in sidecarcross.
But in a demanding season with both Willemsen and his arch rival Kirsters Sergis of Latvia facing disqualifications, the championship was never a foregone conclusion. Ultimately it was the quality of the team that once again came up tops. The team stands out for its good organisation and low failure rate owing to technical defects. Willemsen and Grütter have shown that they can keep going at top speed with maximum concentration.
Willemsen has announced his intention to defend the title again next year. His main rival, Sergis, will no longer be on the field next year. Next season there will be fresh sidecarcross racers taking up the challenge against Daniël Willemsen. We wish the team the very best of luck next season and share their delight with this victory!