British Sidecar World Champions Want to Succeed at Imatranajo
The reigning FIM Sidecar World Champions, British brothers Sam and Tom Christie, are eagerly looking forward to their first Imatranajo. For them, the July street race has legendary status, and several other World Championship gold medallists will also line up on the grid.
Five-time Sidecar World Champion (2008, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2016) Pekka Päivärinta, currently second in the World Championship standings together with his British passenger Adam Christie, announced in May that he will compete in the Imatranajo street race on 3–5 July. At the same time, the 55-year-old rider from Vantaa began encouraging familiar international rivals from the world championship circuits to come to Imatra. As a result, four other World Championship gold medallists have already joined Päivärinta on the entry list.
Last year’s World Champions, Adam’s brothers Sam and Tom Christie, have never raced at Imatranajo before. Inspired by Päivärinta, they will be taking part in July and are already looking forward to the challenge of street racing.
– We are extremely excited to race at Imatra. It is an iconic circuit that we have always wanted to ride. There is a seven-week break in the World Championship calendar between the French round (20–21 June) and the Italian round (8–9 August), so Imatranajo fits perfectly into our racing schedule, say Sam and Tom.
Sam and Tom attended Imatranajo two years ago when Päivärinta and his passenger Adam last raced in Imatra, taking victory. Driver Sam and passenger Tom then saw firsthand how highly Finnish motorcycle racing fans value the event.
-We think Imatra is a very historic circuit and something very special to the Finnish people. Spending the weekend in Imatra in 2024 supporting Pekka and Adam showed us how much that victory meant to Pekka. Winning a major race in his home country was truly special.
Six-time World Champion (2005–2007, 2012, 2014, 2019) Tim Reeves of Great Britain announced his participation shortly after Päivärinta, together with his French passenger Melanie Farnier. Since then, the 2022 and 2023 World Champions, Britain’s Todd Ellis and his French passenger Emmanuelle Clement, have also entered Imatranajo. So have the Dutch pairing of 2015 World Champion Bennie Streuer and his current passenger Manon Vissenberg.
-The entry list looks extremely strong, with several world champions taking part. Of course, we want to be competitive, even though we will not have much practice time. If we feel comfortable on the circuit, we will push hard, but above all we want to enjoy the weekend as much as possible.
Another regular from the World Championship paddock coming to Imatra is Britain’s Paul Kirby with his French passenger Ema Salmon.
The sidecar class will also feature several all-Finnish crews and teams from Estonia. Representing Norway will be Geir Johnsen, who has raced at Imatra before, with German passenger Sophie Sattelberger.
In addition to the sidecars, the 60th Imatranajo, held in the centre of Imatra, will feature the solo classes ESR Superbike, ESR Supersport, Open Superbike, Open Supersport, Classic / Retro Superbike, ICGP (250 and 350 two-stroke) and King of Imatra.
The event opens on Thursday, followed by practice sessions and qualifying on Friday. The races themselves take place on Saturday and Sunday. The detailed timetable is available on the Imatranajo website:
The official Imatranajo programme is available in the latest issue of Vauhdin Maailma magazine, issue 6/2026.
Current Sidecar Entry List
rider, passenger
Marko Hurme (FIN), Ville Hurme (FIN)
Pekka Päivärinta (FIN), Adam Christie (GBR)
Todd Ellis (GBR), Emmanuelle Clement (FRA)
Jaanus Saarmaa (EST), Sander Telve (EST)
Enn Lähker (EST), Marko Piirlaid (EST)
Bennie Streuer (NLD), Manon Vissenberg (NLD)
Paul Kirby (GBR), Ema Salmon (FRA)
Sam Christie (GBR), Tom Christie (GBR)
Markku Artiola (FIN), Pia Koskela (FIN)
Geir Johnsen (NOR), Sophie Sattelberger (GER)
Jaakko Heiskari (FIN), Hanne Heiskari (FIN)
Tim Reeves (GBR), Melanie Farnier (FRA)
Tero Manninen (FIN), Jaana Soppa (FIN)
Jari Vainionkukka (FIN), Iina Musakka (FIN)
Late entries remain open.
60th Imatranajo 3–5 July 2026
Jarno Saarinen Circuit Imatra – Street Circuit
www.imatranajo.fi
www.facebook.com/imatranajo
www.instagram.com/imatranajo
Tickets
www.lippu.fi/artist/imatranajo
Official Programme
Vauhdin Maailma 6/2026
Imatran Moottorikerho ry.
www.imk.fi
European Series Road Racing
esroadracing.com
Image: Mark Walters