IHRO returned to the popular Belgian circuit of Chimay on the traditional 3rd weekend of July for the 4th race of its 2007 calendar.

Dick Linton arrived at the circuit without any riders for his very quick Aermacchis, Derek Whalley having retired from racing the week before and Tony Rodger still suffering the effects of his Brands Hatch spill, needless to say there was a queue of people who would have liked to ride the bikes, but in the end Dick chose to elevate Eberhard Liable to the position of ‘works’ rider for the 350 class, Dick’s son Mark was the recipient of the 500 class ride. To say that Eberhard was delighted would be the understatement of the year, his normal cheery expression was increased to a huge grin all weekend.

There was much consternation on Friday morning before practice when the heavens opened and it looked like bad weather was set in for the day, however just after noon, the skies cleared and practice began on a rapidly drying track.

First event out was the 350 IHRO free practice but only a few hardy souls braved the still wet track at 12 o’clock, just over an hour and a half later, there had been enough change in conditions that there were 30 riders out for the 500 free practice.

Races were split over both days, with only the first 350 race on Saturday afternoon and the second 350 and both 500 races on Sunday. The 350 grid was hit hard by a series of injuries to riders at events prior to Chimay, but in the end provided the better racing, all that was needed was for a few more entries in the class, hopefully there will be less injuries and more riders next year.