European Bridgestone Iron Cup:
final event at Mugello Circuit
For eight years the organisation DIDI Diversamente Disabili and Handi Free Riders has been building together with FMI the circuit racing series The Iron Cup. The series is sponsored by Bridgestone, and it admits riders who are disabled. Behind the cup lies a dedicated work to bring back riders who have had an accident with the sport, as well as introducing disabled persons to circuit racing.
For some years the series has been organised as a national Italian event but starting 2021 it is also a cup series under FIM Europe.
The series is run in two classes, 600 cc and 1000 cc. The bikes have been modified to suit the individual rider who may have had an amputation, total plexus injury, paraplegia or another disability.
The series is gradually growing outside Italy with riders from Spain, Austria, Czech Republic and France taking part.
Due to the condition of the riders the start procedure must be organised differently from an ordinary grid start. The riders come to the start grid with their bikes and mechanics and the start resembles a Le Mans start. The riders are positioned on their bikes along the pit wall. When the warmup lap starts a leading car will go around the track with the riders following in starting order. Reaching the start/finish straight the leading car goes into the pit, the red light is turned off and the race is under way.
Once the riders are on the track for qualification or race it is no different from any other race and the times are very competitive compared to the other classes.
The event at Mugello Circuit was the last in this year’s calendar. 15 riders in each class participated during the weekend which also saw races under the FMI national championship. With weather conditions perfect – full sun and temperature around 30 degrees – the very fast and impressive Mugello Circuit was the ideal venue to round up the season.
Race results
600 cc Class
1. Nicolas Dandine, France
2. Miscel Forgione, Italy
3. Maximillian Sontacchi, Italy
1000 cc Class
1. Peter Rohr, Austria
2. Martin Horky, Czech Republic
3. Benoit Tibal, France
Overall result
600 cc Class
1. Maximillian Sontacchi, Italy
2. Christophe Bernard, Belgium
3. Nicolas Dandine, France
1000 cc Class
1. Peter Rohr, Austria
2. Martin Horky, Czech Republic
3. Benoit Thibal, France
