Month: July 2021

Molson British Sidecars

Birchalls prove hard to beat in Kent

Molson British Sidecar Championship, Brands Hatch

A slightly smaller grid than normal due to a World Championship clash with Assen and one or two Covid related absentees, did nothing to detract from the quality of racing at Brands Hatch. The recent heatwave had abated slightly, but free practice was dry and warm, with the Birchall Brothers picking up where they left off at Oulton Park. They were over a second faster at the head, with Tommy Philp/Tom Bryant and the Christie Brothers close together and chasing. John Holden’s machine caught fire, damaging his feet in the process, but the BSB Marshalls did a great job extinguishing the worst of the flames.

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Assen World SBK treated to top-class sidecar action as Schlosser extends lead

Photos from Mark “Big Wally” Walters

Following the great show provided in Donington Park, the FIM Sidecar World Championship crews were determined to repeat that display at Assen.

With only two points splitting the top two teams, it was all to play for as the season hit the half-way stage.

Hot but cloudy conditions greeted the free practice session for the fourteen crews making the trip. There might easily be no stopping Markus Schlosser/Marcel Fries (Gustoil Racing LCR) and they played their hands early coming out on top with a 1.43.552.

Steve Kershaw/Ryan Charlwood (Quattro Yamaha), inspired by victory in Donington were second quickest from defending Champion Tim Reeves/Kevin Rousseau (Bonovo Action Adolf RS Yamaha), ahead of Santander Salt’s Todd Ellis/Emmanuelle Clement.

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Assen World Superbike embraces round four 23-25th July.

For the second time in a matter of weeks, The FIM Sidecar World Championship runs alongside the World SBK series.

The venue this time being the famous “Cathedral of Speed” Assen circuit in Holland where there is an almost fanatical support for the “Zijspan” class. The tradition of sidecar racing in The Netherlands goes back long way with Egbert Streuer and Bernard Schnieders winning three consecutive titles in the eighties.

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Clean Sheets For Horton / Forrest and Fisher / Stokoe At Mallory Park

Words – Dave Tibbles / Photographs – Dirk Wharton

Rob Fisher / Sarah Stokoe (600 Baker Yamaha) – F2; and Simon Horton / Jordan Forrest (1200 Wintec Suzuki) – F1 both took maximum points in their respective classes over the weekend, with dominant victories in all four of their outings. In hot weather and near-perfect racing conditions for their two races each day, teams competed over eight laps on Saturday, and ten laps on Sunday.

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New F2 Cup Lap Record For Payne & Wilkes At Mallory Park In A.C.U. / F.S.R.A. British F2 Sidecar Championship

Words – Tim Langham (F.S.R.A. Press Officer) / Photographs – Dirk Wharton

Two months on from the last event of the A.C.U. / F.S.R.A. British F2 Sidecar Championship, Mallory Park played host to the third round of this year’s series. Initially, this was expected to be round five, but with Covid restrictions seeing the postponement of the Knockhill round until September, and with Anglesey cancelled altogether last month, this has seen the calendar reduced to seven meetings in total.

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Ellis/Clement and Kershaw/Charlwood on top of the podium

FIM Sidecar World Championship Round Three
Donington Park 2-4 July

ALL PHOTOS BY MARK WALTERS, OF COURSE!

For the first time in years, the sidecars shared the stage with World Superbikes, and although Covid protocols made integration across the paddock difficult, the sense of occasion was palpable. The Donington Park track was in fine fettle, and weather perfect for free practice. The top crews in the title chase were all in action, with a good contingent of British regulars giving them food for thought.
Tim Reeves and Kevin Rousseau were philosophical about the Hungary disqualification, and determined to put it behind them with a strong performance here on home-ground.

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Mallory Park To Host Round Three Of The 2021 F.S.R.A. / Wintec Pre-Injection Sidecar Championship

Words – Dave Tibbles / Photographs – Ste McNorton

Following a five week break due to the cancellation of the Anglesey round owing to Covid restrictions, E.M.R.A. welcome back the F.S.R.A. Pre-Injection Sidecar Championship for their third round at Mallory Park. The previous visit was on a very wet Bank Holiday Monday in May, but hopefully the weather will be kinder this weekend.
A big thank you goes to E.M.R.A. who have in these difficult times helped all entrants with reduced entry fees for this event. The Pre-Injection teams will form a joint grid with the club sidecar, with a capacity entry of twenty four teams. Also on the programme are the A.C.U. / F.S.R.A. British F2 Sidecars, with this being an event which will appeal to all fans of sidecar racing. Advanced tickets can be purchased from the Mallory Park website.
The Pre-Injection sidecar championship allows for a platform for teams to enjoy competitive racing with more affordable, less high-tech machinery, and is an ideal “starter class”. The series is made up of teams with different budgets, abilities and experience – from novices in their orange jackets to old hands with many years of racing behind them. This mixed with various types of engines and chassis all adds to the interest as at these present times sidecar racing at club level is largely on the decline. The Pre-Injection championship is an ideal opportunity to try out sidecar racing whether as a driver or passenger. Our supporters are Wintec Sidecar Racing Services; PAGID Brake Pads and the Formula Sidecar Racing Association (F.S.R.A.). Anyone interested in being a part of this championship or thinking of having a go at sidecar racing please contact Dave Tibbles (sidecar number 181).

A.C.U. / F.S.R.A. British F2 Sidecar Championship To Resume At Mallory Park

Words – Tim Langham (F.S.R.A. Press Officer) / Photographs – Dirk Wharton

While 2021 has seen the restoration of some semblance of normality following the events of last year, “Covid” still continues to cast its unwelcome presence, causing uncertainty and disruption in all elements of life. This event at Mallory Park was initially set to be the fifth round of the A.C.U. / F.S.R.A. British F2 Sidecar Championship, but as things stand, this is now just the third meeting of this year’s series, with a postponement of the Knockhill round until September, and the cancellation of Anglesey last month.

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