WSC and the FIM are delighted to announce an agreement which will see the cancelled Heerde event, scheduled for September 12–13, replaced by a new venue with a long-standing connection to the organisers.
The new venue is the VAMAC Circuit De Vennebulten in Varsseveld, and the organisers are none other than former GP regular Gert van Werven and his wife Mareen, who has herself been deeply involved in the sport from an early age.
A Dream Comes Full Circle
Following the cancellation of the planned Heerde event, they both felt passionately that the Netherlands should not be missing from the 2026 calendar. They had long shared the ambition of organising a race. In that moment, a dream they had both nurtured for many years ignited into reality. For Gert van Werven and Mareen van Werven-Bruil, the opportunity to organise a Grand Prix had finally arrived.
Having spent more than twelve years travelling across Europe as a team and family competing in the FIM Sidecarcross World Championship, they have built lifelong friendships and gained an intimate understanding of the sport and its organisational structure.
Sidecarcross has been a cornerstone of their lives, and they both see this as the perfect opportunity to give something back to a sport that has given them so much.
Following extensive discussions with promoter WSC, the KNMV, the VAMAC organisation and local authorities, it was unanimously agreed that the Netherlands simply could not be absent from the FIM Sidecarcross Championship calendar.
As a result of this collective effort, the project received approval and preparations are now in full swing to deliver what promises to be an outstanding event.
More Than Just a Circuit
The venue represents a significant milestone in Gert and Mareen’s personal story. Exactly twenty years ago, on June 10, 2006, their relationship began at the VAMAC Circuit. Seven years later, almost to the day, they celebrated their wedding in a unique way by exchanging vows in the middle of the circuit, surrounded by family, friends and members of the motorsport community that had become such an important part of their lives.
Even more fittingly, the circuit also played a major role in Mareen’s sporting career when she attempted to qualify for the 2009 Dutch Sidecarcross Grand Prix on the same track.
Their names are deeply woven into the circuit’s history, which is why organising a World Championship event at the VAMAC Circuit means so much to them. The venue has a rich history of international Sidecarcross and is widely regarded as one of the most iconic motocross circuits in the Netherlands.
A Message from Gert and Mareen van Werven
“When the Grand Prix in Heerde was cancelled, we felt that the Netherlands simply had to remain on the calendar.
Sidecarcross has been a huge part of our lives for many years. We travelled across Europe together, competed at the highest level, experienced both the highs and lows, formed lifelong friendships and enjoyed unforgettable moments both in the sport and in life.
The VAMAC Circuit also means a great deal to us personally. It is where our relationship began, where we got married and where Mareen competed in one of the most important races of her career.
The opportunity to organise this event together at this circuit therefore feels incredibly special. It represents the culmination of a dream many years in the making.
Preparation time is short, but we are highly motivated and supported by a fantastic team of sponsors and partners, all determined to deliver an event that riders, teams and fans will remember for many years to come.”
Headline Information
The event will be organised under the name:
“The Giant GP of the Netherlands – powered by Van Werven”
Fans can look forward to:
- FIM Sidecarcross World Championship racing
- FIM Quadcross World Championship racing
- Sidecar support class racing
- International teams and riders
- Hospitality and business opportunities
- Fan entertainment and activities
- A true celebration of world-class Sidecarcross in the Netherlands
The Next Steps
Preparations are already well underway, with further information on tickets, sponsorship opportunities, hospitality packages and event activities to be announced in the coming weeks.
On September 12–13, 2026, the world’s best Sidecarcross and Quadcross riders will return to the Achterhoek region for what promises to be a memorable weekend of World Championship racing.
Stay up to date with the latest news on this event and all other developments through the official FIM Sidecarcross channels www.fimsidecarcross.com
LIVESTREAM PASS
Available via the button below:
