Author: Barry Nutley

RKB-FIM-Superside

Ellis and Kershaw take one each in Donington showcase event

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The huge crowd at the Donington Park World SBK round witnessed stunning action from the Superside teams on one of the hottest weekends of the year.

Twelve crews had firm entries for this crucial Donington event, but UK Border Control officials eliminated French father and son team Ted and Vincent Peugeot before they even left France. Young Ted was prohibited from travelling due to his passport not having enough “safety margin”, in that it expired a matter of weeks from his due travel date. Once again, post Brexit legislation dealt a blow to sport, and to a particularly talented but cash-strapped crew.

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Molson British Sidecars

Double top for Ellis/Clement but Christies extend lead as Blackstock and Rosney falter

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Photos by Ian English

An eclectic mix of competitors made for a very interesting grid at Brands Hatch for the third round.

From World and British Championship regulars and series leaders for both series, to new names and wild cards testing the water for the first time, the weekend was always going to have an unknown flavour. Certain predictions were inevitable, but equally there were surprises along the way. For the first time ever, the Santander Salt team featured two lady passengers, as Sarah Stokoe joined Rob Biggs alongside Todd Ellis/Emmanuelle Clement. Sarah is well known in the sidecar world, partly as George Holden’s partner, but also for her exploits alongside multiple TT winner Rob Fisher in classic racing.

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RKB-FIM-Superside

Todd Ellis/Emmanuelle Clement bring reduced lead to Donington Park 15-17 July

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The Donington Park Round of World SBK will once again host the Superside family in the fifth round of what has been an outstanding Championship year.

Whilst grid numbers have not been high, we have witnessed fierce four and five-way battles at the front, and equally strong scraps all the way down. The half-hour highlights TV Show filmed at each round has extended the audience and attracted new viewers to the sport.

Marcus Schlosser/Marcel Fries (Gustoil Yamaha) have closed to within sixteen points of series leaders Todd Ellis/Emmanuelle Clement. At the previous round in Croatia, the Santander Salt Yamaha failed to finish the second race, giving added impetus and encouragement to the defending champions. Last year at Donington Park, Schlosser suffered the same fate, so he will be hoping history does not repeat.

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RKB-FIM-Superside

One each for Kershaw/Charlwood and Ellis/Clement in Croatia

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(Sorry no photos on this one, my mistake, too slow downloading and the link expired)

This famous track in Rijeka Croatia was the perfect setting to begin the second half of what has been a stunning season of racing so far.

The twenty-three-point advantage held by Santander Salt’s Todd Ellis and Emmanuelle Clement would need protecting, as main rivals Markus Schlosser/Marcel Fries knew full well that everything was still to play for at this stage of the year.

In scorchingly hot conditions, the teams prepared for a replay of the amazing racing from Hungary just a few days before. Free practice on the 2.6 miles circuit with its long straights, got underway prompt at 1pm on Friday. All teams spent the session in familiarisation and set-up, with no dramas or problems to report.

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Molson British Sidecars

Knockhill thrills as the title lead changes hands

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From Barry Nutley

As the southern half of the UK basked in Mediterranean temperatures, Fife was a total contrast, with a very wet opening day on Friday.

A relatively small entry was amplified by a clash with the FIM World Championship in Hungary which kept the series leaders Todd Ellis/Emmanuelle Clement away.

Tim Reeves/Kevin Rousseau also signalled a late change of plan and were not present, along with double TT winners Ben and Tom Birchall. This left the door well and truly open for others to capitalise.

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Molson British Sidecars

Knockhill awaits as Blackstock/Rosney eye up series lead 17-19 June

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The Isle of Man TT has come and gone, the FIM World Championship has seen three rounds of great action involving last year’s top four teams, and now it is time to resume the domestic series at the popular Fife circuit of Knockhill.

The aim of second-placed Lewis Blackstock and Paddy Rosney must surely be to amass as many points as possible in the absence of series leaders Todd Ellis/Emmanuelle Clement. The Santander Salt duo will be defending their fourteen-point lead in the FIM World Championship in Hungary, leaving the door open for others to capitalise.

The Birchall Brothers Ben and Tom were early entries in Scotland, with their focus being to retain their British title. For 2022 they also plan to contest selected World rounds, but having missed just the Oulton Park opener, the appeal to stay at home is obvious. That opinion is shared by Birchall Racing team-mates Craig Currie and Justin Sharpe, although a good appearance at the Estoril World finale last season whetted their appetites for more international action.

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RKB-FIM-Superside

Ellis and Clement do the double in the Ardennes

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Photos from the great Mark Walters

No fewer than seventeen crews took to the grid for this, the third round of the 2022 FIM Sidecar World Championship.

Absent on Isle of Man TT duty were Tim Reeves/Kevin Rousseau and Harry Payne/Mark Wilkes. Ordinarily, it might easily have been a case of “when the cat’s away”, but the two crews at the top of the standings maintained the pace which got them there and starred once more in Belgium.

Free practice saw Todd Ellis and Emmanuelle Clement (Santander Salt Yamaha) edge out Markus Schlosser/Marcel Fries (Gustoil Yamaha) and Benny Streuer/Kevin Kolsch (Bonovo Action Yamaha) to the tune of half a second.

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RKB-FIM-Superside

Legendary Spa circuit hosts World Championship round three, June 2-5th

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From Barry Nutley

The sight of grand prix sidecars streaming through Eau Rouge and away along the Keppel Straight is a sight to stir even the most passive of motorsport fans. That is what to expect the weekend of June 2-5th when the third round of the FIM Sidecar World Championship again joins the FIM Endurance World Championship, this time at the famous 4.352 miles Ardennes circuit of Spa Francorchamps in Belgium.

Four races are already done with fierce battles up front. Young British star Todd Ellis (Santander Salt Yamaha) and French lady passenger Emmanuelle Clement, hold a slender four-point lead over reigning champions Markus Schlosser and Marcel Fries. The Swiss Gustoil Yamaha team have been as strong as last season, earning universal respect for their skill and determination.

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RKB-FIM-Superside

Ellis/Clement leave Le Mans as championship leaders

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photos by Mark Walters

The long wait for race action did not disappoint in France. The weather was perfect for the two races, and all the top teams completed qualifying successfully with one exception. The first session times were very close, with just eight tenths of one second splitting the top five. Previous new lap record holders Ted and Vincent Peugeot had their eyes opened with the pace, as they ended up sixth fastest behind Tim Reeves/Kevin Rousseau. A brilliant effort by Harry Payne/Mark Wilkes found them top of the pile just over one tenth quicker than Todd Ellis and Emmanuelle Clement. Reigning Champions Schlosser/Fries came next ahead of Steve Kershaw/Ryan Charlwood.

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RKB-FIM-Superside

Four short weeks and we will all be in Le Mans

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Suddenly the new FIM Sidecar World Championship is almost here with the opening round scheduled over the weekend of 14-16 April in Le Mans.

2021 saw an exceptionally close five-way battle, possibly the tightest for years. All bets are off for 2022 because those hungry young guns are back, whilst the old guard, including the reigning and former champions, are all determined to retain or reclaim the title.

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Molson British Sidecars

Cadwell Sidecar Revival is not far away – get on board

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The way time is running, we will be into full swing with racing action before we know it.

Our season kicks off at Oulton Park, with Knockhill and Brands Hatch the next up.

It is then off to Cadwell Park for the excitement and spectacle of the Sidecar Revival Festival. The early August date is guaranteed to appeal to all sidecar fans, who have demonstrated in previous years how much they welcome the variety of outfits and personalities on show.

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Molson British Sidecars

Cadwell Sidecar Revival is coming in August – don’t miss it.

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With all eyes on a full Molson Group British Championship in 2022, it’s important to note the fourth round will be at the popular and now well-established Cadwell Park Sidecar Revival.

This event has become a favourite with teams and spectators alike, and with restrictions imposed by two years of pandemic now easing, the entry is expected to be bigger than ever.

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RKB-FIM-Superside

Full house of dates for 2022 FIM Sidecar World Championship

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After a difficult yet nonetheless very successful 2021 season which saw Markus Schlosser and Marcel Fries crowned champions, Roger Body and his RKB-F1 management team in conjunction with the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme are delighted to announce a full eight-round Championship for 2022. With most European countries now well advanced in their Covid-19 vaccination programmes, there is a real sense of optimism that the global pandemic which has so severely affected sport and travel, will not disrupt arrangements and plans for a full racing season.

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Molson British Sidecars

Donington Park joins the party in October as penultimate round

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Donington Park has been added to the 2022 schedule making nine rounds in total, with eight of those alongside the Bennetts British Superbike Championship. The Leicestershire circuit is popular with the sidecar teams and always provides great racing.

(Don’t forget the dinner dance January 29th, form here for download. )

The inclusion of Donington Park creates an attractive and exciting season for the established star names, as well as several new crews who have signalled their intention to step up and compete in the full series.

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