On the other side we drove the three hours/175 miles to Huesden-Zolder, where they have bread vending machines on street corners, street after street with no two houses are the same, a famous road racing circuit and a speedway track.
The British riders met with the Belgian DTRA contingent, plus the Dutch Brothers (only one of whom lives in Holland, the others are in Switzerland).
The Helzold track is going to host Hells Race, what could be the first ever dirt track race in Belgium, later this summer. Two of the Belgian DTRA riders, Angelo and Bram, have organised the meeting with the assistance of the local speedway club. The idea was to invite one dirt track class to an early-season speedway race for the speedway organisers to see what, if anything, they had to do differently. So this was an invite-only do at the Helzold Stars Speedway international meeting.

Saturday was open practice, Sunday was race day. Above is Belgian David's XT500.

Belgian Bram and his new Co-Built.
Norm and his Trackmaster Triumph twin.
Bram, David, and Hank looking mean. Co-Built Anthony's arm with an old Sideburn patch.
Guy and Geoff on their Co-Built Rotax singles. Guy painted both of them. Two very fast and stylish UK riders were back on the pace after disappointing (for their usual high standards) results at Rye House.
 Jan-Willem brought two bikes, his Astro...
and his J and M Rotax, with the wheels he designed himself. I had a few electrical problems, just as race day practice started, and both Anthony and Jan-Willem let me have a few laps on their bikes. Both were great and Jan's is sweet as. Short, great power delivery. I felt comfortable on it instantly.
Angelo is one of the men behind Hells Race. He also organises the Flanders Chopper Bash, and I'm sure Hells Race is going to be good.
Support your local racetrack. Do like Angelo and support your local flat track magazine too. Sideburn zip hoodies are heavyweight and last for years.
We rushed from the track as soon as the meeting ended for 21.20 crossing home. We were booked on different trains, all set off at different times but all got on the same, earlier train. Then it was 170 miles back north through England and home for just before midnight on Sunday night. Back to work (and school for Max) the next morning.

I was only accepted to race only a few days before the event (thanks Angelo!) and if I could have got out of going on Friday night without screwing people about I would have. Work is busy, I'm trying to build a hooligan bike for the next DTRA race,  I could do with saving money, but I'm so glad I went. Good friends, good riding and good spending time with my son. Motorcycle fun times. G

Photos: Stephen Volders, Bart Knops, Carina, Max I, GI

Race entries are open for Belgium's first proper dirt track event, being held on 18-19 June, being organised by our mates Bram and Angelo.

Practice Saturday, race Sunday. There are classes for Newbie, Rookie, Amateur, Thunder, Vintage, Hooligan (presented by Harley-Davidson) and Pro.

Go to Hells Race for more information.

Here's a bunch of info on the event from the organisers...

How to register for any class 

Step 1 : email to info@hellsrace.com with info and bike specs/photo and we'll get back to you ASAP. You can register for multiple classes as long as there are places available. Make sure you mention what class(es) you want to register for and if you will ride 1 or 2 days.

 Step 2 : after approval we'll send you the payment details so that you can complete your registration 

FINAL DATE WHEN PAYMENT MUST BE RECEIVED IS June 8th.

Race numbers will be assigned on a later date. If you are registered with an official flat track competition with a personal official number that you would like to keep (DTRA, Dutch Flattrack cup etc) you need to register and pay BEFORE 1st OF MAY. Make sure to mention your number in your email or comment box (first come first served).

 IMPORTANT : if you'd like to register for more than 1 class on Sunday you'll need to pay the extra 25€ cash for each additional class the day of the race itself. This due to the reason that we reserve the right to cancel a class when there are not enough registrations for that particular class and/or when the additional class is full. We'll make sure you can ride at least in one class.

Training Sat 18th June : 60€ (ride as much as you want)
Race Sun 19th June : 60€ for 1 class (+25€ cash for each additional class)
Training Sat 18th + Race Sun 19th June : 120€ for 1 class (+25€ cash for each additional class on Sun)
Day licenses are included

Contact us Website: www.hellsrace.com 
Email: info@hellsrace.com
Hooligan Series: info@dirttrackriders.co.uk

I'd like to welcome Hermanus as our latest Sideburn stockist. A new shop in Bruges, Belgium, it opens this weekend. I interviewed one of the owners about living the dream and opening his own shop. GI

Who is behind Hermanus?
I'm Andy Geeroms, 34, born and raised in a little town called Meerbeke, 30km from Brussels. Two years ago I met Evy, also a petrolhead and I fell instantly in love. You only live once, so I decided to leave it all behind, followed my heart and moved to Bruges, where she lived. We both have the same to dream to do 'something' with bikes, especially cafe racers, so after 16 years working as a truck driver I decided to take the shot and just follow my dream. I'm also organizing 'Fly Low', a yearly cafe racer event in Bruges.

Why did you choose the name Hermanus? 
Some years ago, Chris Hunter from Bike Exif asked if I was interested to be in 'The Ride' with my bike. Off course I was! The guys from Gestalten asked what the name of the bike was. We weren't used to do that here in Belgium, it was rather new to name a bike, so I didn't have a clue. Five years ago I was co-founder of a cafe racer club in Ninove, where I used to live before moving to Bruges, called 'the Flying Hermans', so we thought it was cool to name the bike 'Hermanus'. From that moment, people related me with that bike and it became kind of my nickname. Three years later, a lot of people think that my name is Herman or Manus, or sometimes they just say Her.. I don't care, it's funny.. So we decided to name the shop 'Hermanus'
Why go to all the hard work of opening a brick and mortar shop? 
Like I said above, I was fed up with my day job, I worked many years and many hours as a truck driver. My father died 17 years ago, on the age of 48. He worked 30 years day and night for his boss, and when he died, I said to myself: 'Not me'. I've also said, when it's possible and realistic, I will follow my dream. I don't want to die one day saying '..If I..' or 'What if I should...' I don't mind the hard work or financial risk, as long as I can do what interests me. And that are bikes and everything around it.
What at the main brands you will stock? 
Riding gear: Bell, Biltwell, DMD, RSD, Icon1000, Segura, Rev'It, Sunday Speedshop, Holy Freedom
Casual: Iron and Resin, Vans, Dickies, RSD, Bell
Magazines: Sideburn, Motorcycle Cities, Caferacer Cult 6.
What will be your opening times? 
We are opening in the weekend of 6 and 7 February, both days from 10am 'till 6pm. After that, we are open Wednesday and Thursday from 10-13 and 14-18.30; Friday from 10-13 and 14-20; Saturday from 10-18, Sunday from 14-18.

Thanks for the support!
Andy and Evy
Hermanus, Langestraat 53 8000 Brugge +32(0)50 73.83.73
www.hermanusbruges.be

Dug this out when going through a load of stuff recently. It was sent to me more than ten years ago by an old mate who lives in France, who'd spotted it on a market stall (he has a keen eye for sweating boy scouts grappling with unruly thumpers). Strangely enough, there's no Tintin strip in the mag, from July 1964. I think it ran for years, having spotted this site. Lovely artwork by Mittéï. MP

After competing at Dirt Quake III a trio of Belgians bought or built their own dirt trackers and entered the UK's DTRA series. Two or three of them were at every race but one (that clashed with their long-running chopper show back in their home country) and the end of season presentation.

Now they're organsing their own one-off event, the first ever flat track race in Belgium, we think.

It's called Hell's Race, it's at the Helzold Speedway track in Belgium (120 miles from Zeebrugge, 170 from Calais) and it happens June next year. Lots of camping near the track, practice Saturday, race Sunday.

This is not a Dirt Quake-type event, more like a DTRA race, but they have a class for complete novices, on street trackers, scrambler, whatever, and other classes very similar to those we run in the UK. Day licences will be available.

Sideburn will be there and we'll post up more details as we have them. G

Hello James, one of our Belgian stockists, has now replenished it's shelves with the current and back issues of Sideburn. I visited their Brussels shop in the summer. They have an astute selection of wares and an atelier in the basement where they make their own bespoke leather goods. BP
Full list of Sideburn global stockists HERE

A great story from Jan-Willem of the Dutch Brothers Racing - just about the most enthusiastic dirt tracker in the whole of Europe - about why he rides with number 15 on his bikes.

When I was 8, my dad took me riding in Nivelles. 
I had a little Montesa Cota 25 automatic. That day he let me try his Cota 348 with 6 gears. this was the first time I rode with gears. The bike was way too high for me so he had to launch me and catch me when I wanted to stop. 

Nivelles is a place in Belgium where there was a big motodrome. That same day was a karting championship race. There was one driver who used a different racing line and was really quick. He was wearing number 15 and inspired me. From then I used number 15. I found a picture, perhaps you recognize him.

Below is Jan-Willem powering out of a corner on his Harley XR1000 framer - that's his brother Mick, 16, behind him. Below that, crossing the line at a DTRA heat on his Rotax, under the lights at King's Lynn this year.


And this is a shot Ben made for Sideburn #1, of Jan-Willem on his Mule-built KTM DTMX at Lelystad speedway track. Note the dainty footwork.

Sideburn is now stocked in Brussels at Hello James
Rue de Laeken 86, 1000 Brussels Tel:+32 472 258 299
Nina Bodenhorst en Jonathan Wieme showcase their own brand Niyona leather goods, custom make to your spec, or if you are handy you can join the workshop school where you can make your own.
They also stock other quality artisan brands of accessories, books, design and jewellery. BP
"We are Hello James, a not so typical craftsmanship store. We sell the things we love. and what we love most, is strolling in the streets, riding through the city and traveling around the world."

V Shop in Ghent, Belgium now stock Sideburn.

If you would like to stock Sideburn, email us at dirt @sideburmagazine.com

Dirt Quake USA is filling our thoughts, but bubbling on the background is the mighty Dirt Quake III. We've had more interest than ever before at this stage. Some classes are close to selling out.
We have some great sponsors, to be announced soon, and rider delegations from all over Europe: Germany, Netherlands, Italy, France, Switzerland AND Belgium!
Four Belgian chopper hounds - including long-time supporter of Sideburn, Bram Chopper Baron -  (above, shot by BP for GKM) have all been infected by the dirt bug and have been riding these converted road bikes on regular Sunday sludge sessions. They're coming to compete in the Street Tracker/Street Scrambler class this summer.

Dirt Quake III
July 18-19
King's Lynn, Norfolk, UK

The saying 'Here Come The Belgians' was coined by Stuart Hall, a former British National treasure and BBC stalwart (now a convicted paedophile currently serving a prison sentence for a string of sexual offences. He introduces the clip below.). Now, we're not in the habit of promoting the work of known sex offenders, but It's a Knockout (Jeux Sans Frontiers, for the European Cup editions) was essential viewing when I was a kid. It is part of the DNA of Dirt Quake, and this clip brings back great memories for me.