New ONK Sidecar Masters team Smit/Wesselink speaks!
In a few weeks, the 10 ONK Sidecar Masters championship will kick off again on March 2019 in Lierop! In 2019, several teams will make the switch from the NK sidecar class to the big work at the ONK Sidecar Masters and MXmag would therefore like to ask a number of questions to these new teams. What are their expectations for the big job, why do they dare to make the switch and are there also ambitions towards the pinnacle of sidecar motocross, the FIM World Cup Sidecar Cross?
We kick off with the sidecar cross team Smit/Wesselink, who will move on to the Dutch sidecar cross premier division via the NK sidecar class in 2019.
Rider Sven Smit started out solo and only switched to sidecars a few years ago. Apparently blood flows where it can't go, because father Johan Smit was a popular sidecar driver for many years who made waves in the ONK sidecar cross as well as in the Grand Prix world.
Sven Smit took the time to speak to MXmag.
MXmag: 'Why are you switching from the NKs to the ONK this year?'
Smit: 'Niels (Wesselink) and I wanted to move on and we are going to see this year as a learning year and see where we stand. Both at home and abroad, because we also want to participate in the necessary German or Belgian championships and then you will of course need an international license anyway.'
MXmag: 'Having said that, do you also have GP aspirations? I can imagine it now that there is also a Grand Prix in your own Markelo this year?'
Smit: 'We do want to participate in a number of Grand Prix, but how many is still unknown at the moment. Qualifying for the Grand Prix itself is the goal at the moment.
We have new material for 2019. In terms of engine, we are going from KTM to Zabel and the frame is also different than in recent years, we will start in 2019 on a VMC. Last weekend we were in Emmen and that was actually the first training after Made last year and therefore the first time on the new machine. What was nice is that it immediately felt good and went well in terms of pace! '
MXmag: 'What do you think is the strong point of your team and where would you like to improve?'
Smit: 'At the moment I don't see any areas for improvement, we have actually already addressed them. We now finally have our own camper and that takes away a lot of hassle about how we would be on the cross again this time.
Our team's strengths include my father who has tips and tricks for me on everything. In addition, the mechanics Jan Sligman & Arno Grondman are good at their job and that is ensuring that the team is in good mechanical condition and they do that really well!'
MXmag: 'Sven, thank you for your answers! Finally, is there anything else you would like to say?'
Smit: 'What I would like to say is that I would like to thank my family, friends and sponsors for making what has already been created possible after having only ridden the 3-wheeler for two seasons!
Text: Emil Bilars
Photo: Sven Smit Archives
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