Rain disrupts Imatra street races as speeds top 310 km/h

Heavy rain disrupted this weekend’s Imatra street races in southeastern Finland, forcing at least one competitor to abandon the event after a collision, Yle reports.

Sidecar racer Tero Manninen withdrew on Saturday after his rig struck another competitor’s tyre on the first lap. Unsure of the damage, he chose not to continue.

Speeds on the Imatra street circuit can exceed 310 km/h in dry conditions, with spectators standing just metres from the passing motorcycles. The event, now in its 60th year, featured superbike and sidecar classes among others.

Frequent downpours kept the track wet, particularly on Saturday, as teams worked under their own awnings in the paddock. Many crews include family members, with younger generations often present.

Safety measures included covering a pedestrian bridge overlooking the track to prevent objects from falling onto the course and to block direct views of the racing line. Memorial stones for riders killed in past Imatra races, including a fatality in 2023, stand along the event area.