The ADAC MX Masters has held its races twice in the north of Germany during the past few weeks, but now it’s the turn of the motocross stronghold of Gaildorf some 65 kilometres to the northeast of Stuttgart to host the series for the fifth round of the International German Championship this weekend (10th/11th August). Many fans will be delighted to see that two top stars from the current motocross world championship, Jeremy Seewer (Monster Energy Yamaha Factory MXGP Team) and Henry Jacobi (F & H Racing Kawasaki), will be competing as guest entrants at Gaildorf. Seewer has already made a guest appearance in the series at the second round of the ADAC MX Masters in Möggers, Austria, where he took victory on the day. The Swiss rider is very popular with German fans and is currently in second place in the MXGP Motocross World Championship.

22-year-old Jacobi is the reigning ADAC MX Masters champion. He has already been on the world championship podium several times this year and has an excellent chance of finishing the MX2 world championship in the Top Three. He is really looking forward to the German fans: "It’s great to be able to line up on home ground in the ADAC MX Masters in Germany again at long last," said Jacobi. He will be riding his usual 250cc bike from the MX2 world championship in the face of rivals on much bigger 450 cc machines at Gaildorf. "It won’t be easy on the 250 at Gaildorf, but I really want to finish on the podium!" Frenchman Greg Aranda (Sturm Racing Team) completes the group of guest riders. He too is very keen to finish on the podium at Gaildorf.

At the top of the ADAC MX Masters standings, the three-way battle between Jens Getteman (Monster Energy Kawasaki Team Elf Pfeil), Dennis Ullrich (Bodo Schmidt Motorsport/Husqvarna) and Tanel Leok (A1M Husqvarna) looks set to continue. Estonian rider Leok suffered a major setback at the last race in Tensfeld when he lost many points and the championship lead due to lack of fuel and a technical problem. "That was, of course, extremely annoying, but that’s the way motorsport is," he told us. "I must try to make up for our mistake at Gaildorf and regain lost ground." Belgian rider Getteman, though, is currently flying high and leads the championship by 18 points from Ullrich after finishing runner-up at Tensfeld. "I’m not a sand specialist but really feel at home on hard ground," he told us as the hotly-contested segment of the season is about to start with three races remaining on clay soil. "That’s why I’m really looking forward to Gaildorf and would like to extend my lead there." Ullrich is also all fired-up as he heads to this historic part of Germany. He normally does well on hard surfaces and proved it by claiming a podium there last year. "I’m really looking forward to Gaildorf,” he said. “It’s the first of three tracks that really suit me. The cards will be dealt out afresh at Gaildorf."

And in the junior classes, the ADAC MX Youngster Cup, ADAC MX Junior Cup 125 and ADAC MX Junior Cup 85, the crucial period in the season when the lead at the top of these championships could change again is also about to begin at Gaildorf. German fans have good reason to be pleased, as a home-grown rider currently leads the rankings in both the ADAC MX Youngster Cup and ADAC MX Junior Cup 125. Jeremy Sydow (DIGA Procross Husqvarna) took the lead at Tensfeld despite missing the opener at Fürstlich Drehna through injury. So far this season, he has won all three rounds of the ADAC MX Youngster Cup that he has contested, and as a result, is again the clear favourite at Gaildorf. However, not only will he have the regular field of entrants to contend with, he will most probably also face a challenge from Danish rider, Mikkel Haarup (Rockstar Ice One Husqvarna Factory Racing), who is a works rider in the MX2 world championship and is always good for a podium at the Auf der Wacht circuit.

Bavarian rider Simon Längenfelder (WZ-Racing/KTM) has also had a really good showing so far in the ADAC MX Junior Cup, having won seven out of eight races to date and finishing runner-up once behind Mike Gwerder (KINI KTM Junior Pro Team). The 15-year-old will be doubly motivated for the Gaildorf races after taking his maiden win in the European Championship EMX125 last weekend at Lommel, Belgium.

However, Gaildorf is not just known for its spectacular racetrack, the venue is also famous throughout Germany for providing the best evening’s entertainment in the marquee. Top group ‘Forever’ will open the weekend’s programme of entertainment early on Thursday afternoon to be followed by the ‘Original Südtiroler Spitzbuam’ on Friday. Saturday night’s legendary MX party will kick off to the sounds of ‘Shark’ rock band.

The Suzuki quad circuit and the ADAC Insurance bouncy castle will ensure that families with children have plenty to keep them occupied at the weekend. An autograph-signing session will again take place for fans at the ADAC Truck on Sunday afternoon. Jens Getteman, Dennis Ullrich, Tanel Leok, Jeremy Seewer and Henry Jacobi will be there to sign autographs and pose for photos from 11.45 am to 12.15 pm.

Gaildorf is easily accessible via the A81, A6 and A8 motorways. Practice on the 1.65-km Auf der Wacht track starts at 9.00 am on both days. The races on Sunday will get under way at 10.30 am. A weekend ticket to include admittance to the evening’s festivities costs 28 euros for adults. A day ticket is priced at 8 euros for Saturday (without evening programme) and 18 euros for Sunday. Children and teenagers under the age of 16 have free admission to the race meet when accompanied by an adult. Persons suffering from disablement can get 50-100% off the regular prices on production of proof of entitlement.