Typicallly the Dutch sand track of Meijel, situated aproximately 5 mins from Leirop, is bottomless sand, and although prepared to perfection it soon cuts up quickly to give all riders very difficult 3 x 18min plus 2 laps races. To throw another spanner in the mix, the Dutch federation had sceduled Side Car races during the day. Side Cars destroy a solo track at the best of times, but in sand they make a Solo track horrendous with some ruts going lower than foot pegs and in the worst places 200 yards long.  
 
With standard proceedings, Dunham has a free practise the first time he is out on track, and then has a timed practise for start gate choice for the remainder of the day the second time he is out on track. So although only being out on track for a short while Dunham learnt the track well and adapted to the ever-changing and worsening conditions of Meijel sands to qualify in 9th position.
 
Moto 1 : Lining up on the inside of the start gate, Dunham prepared his start rut and looked confident. However without getting the best of initial jumps, Lee then had his work cut out trying to move up the leader board for the remainder of the race. Eventually finishing in 9th. At one time moving up to challenging for 7th, Dunham then encounterd and issue with his goggles pull toggle catching in his neck brace and pulling his goggles off his helmet.
 
Moto 2 : In moto 2 Dunham grabbed that all important start and it showed after the first lap. Whilst producing a typically fast charge with fellow Brit Brad O’Leary for half of the moto, when O’Leary crashed it handed Dunham 5th position in the race and his Personal Best in the Dutch Sands.
 
Moto 3 : By now after 3 races of side cars, and all other solo races completed the Meijel sand track was turning into a seriously deep and rough and rutted course. On the start line, Dunham kicked off with another good start sitting him at the tail end of the leading pack. Riders from 5th to 9th were all really close and it looked like it could go anyway. Dunham, became victim to the savage rolling whoops out of sight in the wooded sections whcih cost a huge mistake and valuable seconds. So with too much time to make up, Dunham continued in 9th position for the remainder of the race as he knew staying safe would hand him 3rd overall in the European Championships 2013.

LEE DUNHAM ‘Im happy today to record a 5th. Thats my best result in the sand. I’ve been to Meijel on many occasions but today with the rain and the sidecars it was one of the heavyiest sands I’ve ridden in. After the first round with 2 bikes causing issues, and then Belgium as well – we’ve worked all year long to try and salvage some points back and we eventually finished on the Podium of the European Championships. This is a true sign of never giving up, not just from me, but from my family my whole team and also the circuits that I’ve been training at. For this weekend especially thanks Neil and Martin for allowing me to train at Fatcat Motoparc. Of course team Maxxis Kawasaki by LPE, Maxxis Tyres, Kawasaki, Steve James and Family, Tetbury Motor Centre, CTI, FACTORY PINK Clothing. Spiral Graphics,, Answer Racing, Apico International, Gaerne UK and MRS LTD, Im sure ive left some peoples names off but thank you to you all’