Estoril hosts gripping title decider 28 October – 1 November
For the second year in a row, the final round of the 2022 FIM Sidecar World Championship travels to Estoril, Portugal for the closing two races of the season. The event also marks the swansong of Roger Body’s RKB-F1 organisation as promoter of the series. Roger is standing down after a lifetime involved in sidecar racing both as a competitor and as figurehead.
On behalf of the entire international sidecar racing community, we thank Roger for his efforts and commitment over many years, and more recently persevering through a difficult time as promoter of two championships.
Todd and the hiding Emmanuelle
Seventeen teams from seven nations are entered for Estoril at the time of going to press, with Great Britain’s Todd Ellis and his French passenger Emmanuelle Clement (Santander Salt Yamaha) enjoying a fifty-one-point lead in the title chase. Ordinarily, this would be a winning margin without turning a wheel, but the final round carries one hundred points across the two races, which is a very different matter. Having clinched the British title just last weekend, the dynamic duo is poised to do the double.
Ellis’s rivals Markus Schlosser and Marcel Fries (Gustoil Yamaha) are intent on defending the crown they won in 2021 to the very last race. It is a stage set for the utmost drama, and the Estoril circuit lends itself to just such an occasion.
Marcel Rennscheune Photography thank you!
The Quattro Yamaha of Steve Kershaw/Ryan Charlwood sits third after a very consistent debut season for the new pairing, and whilst mathematically it is still possible for them to become champions, it would need a catastrophic weekend for the two crews ahead of them. Realistically, they will finish in the bronze medal position unless some misfortune befalls Schlosser.
Young Swiss Lukas Wyssen with Thomas Hofer alongside is somewhat vulnerable in fourth, with former champion Bennie Streuer/Kevin Kolsch just a handful of points behind. Resurgent Harry Payne/Callum Crowe salvaged a result last time out in Germany when it looked as if their season was on the rocks following a change of personal circumstances. They borrowed a bike, turning in two solid results keeping sixth place alive. They are back for more, and keen to improve.
Romina Wyssen here
A dedicated TV crew will be in Portugal filming both races for the usual highlights show with global distribution through our television partners. Shorter versions of both races will also be available after transmission on our YouTube Channel. Stay across all the news on www.rkb-f1-sidecars.com and all our Social Media platforms.
Media Matters – Barry Nutley barry.nutley@btinternet.com