The Place

So called F2's are sidecars in the true sense of the word "sidecars," but will always play second fiddle to so called F1's (sidecars?? ) as they are designated second. 600cc is a good start, engine in front of the driver would be good second rule, then all would be "Sidecars" again. Forks, hub center, rudder, feet dragging don't matter in the long run. So only two rules 600cc and engine where it should be up front. Maybe we could see some serious innovation taking place with regards to chassis configuration, and re-emergence of the two stroke which have come on a whole bundle since it was ubiquitous in sidecar racing.

Hmm. I'm really Trying to stay out of this. DS makes good points (as always). Malcolm has already commented elsewhere with some very detailed and intelligent comments on WHY the FIM Championship is 'Broken' at the moment - and its got nothing to do with engines or chassis, and suggested a good solution to other possible issues to the FIM thoughts.

And I not sure Howard (no disrespect intended to a Legend) is aware of how little money the teams really run with nowadays. Buying a Brand New Bike at £12K Plus outlay for the engine - to then need another, and the other 5k on bits to make it work in a sidecar, isn't feasible to 99.9% of competitors budgets...... Maybe it works for Brian Gray?

Anyway. Maybe I been F1 too long - but as people have said before me. if I wanted to ride a 600, I would get an F2 and do the Road Circuits (okay, I probably wouldn't Actually do the Roads - because I don't think my Bol**x are big enough - big respect to those who do!) People end up racing what and where they really want to race. - following their Dreams. And like it or not, I think we do HAVE a split class based on those dreams (above Club Level as F2 is great entry route for people). Those who want to race in National and or International events on Current spec 1000cc F1 machinery, and those who really just want to look forward to the TT and Southern 100 and Scarborough etc on the F2 (because that's in their regs that they must run that machine).

All that will happen, is F1 goes through expensive changes to make it less exciting, and less people wanting to carry on do it..... and a few good F2 people will make occasional trip abroad.

Just my thoughts No offence intended to people or Sidecar Class. I have actually been involved a while on the organising too, as was instrumental along with Malcolm and DS in getting the first 'International' F2 UEM Cup off the ground in 2005 as people were asking for it...... Great turn out for round 1 at Brands Hatch.............

Moto 1 = 1000cc engines with restrictors
Moto 2 = 600cc engines unrestricted

Brilliant idea come on FIM problem solved ? you are happy all sidecars are happy commercial side is happy, but of course it does not actually solve the problem of sidecars on the grid at the world championships, as mentioned before by Yangi and Myself the actual problem is not machinery there are enough, it's money create a travel money table for competitors from around the world which would be quite simple, bingo grids full. ok then all you have to do is decide how this is paid for, but that's you the FIM as promoter to figure out but i believe this has already been talked about.

please all the followers of this Forum who have a vested interest in Sidecars give your opinions as plans are ahead to change your sport in a radical way, it would also be good to hear a little from these proposers as to why they plan these changes and for what reasons as i am baffled.

Steve maybe you could put a survey on the front of the site so people can show how they feel as obviously many are not open to show there opinion in writting

"please all the followers of this Forum who have a vested interest in Sidecars give your opinions as plans are ahead to change your sport in a radical way,"
The SILENCE is deafening

It's funny how quiet it is. Facebook must have a simpler keyboard

You want an opinion ok. Changing f1 world championship to 600cc will not increase the number of entrants on the grid, to do that is a much greater challenge as it involves promoters putting up money. So come on FIM leave the tech regs alone and start searching for that elusive benefactor. There you got an opinion and I never said anything about lunatics running the asylum

I haven't been able to get onto the site for the last two day, just kept getting a message saying not available or some other such thing, maybe others have had similar problems. I was beginning to worry that Steve had decided to pack it in again

I think it has mostly been said already with Malcolm putting the best solution of restrictors, if it really is a reduction in speed that the FIM are after for safety reasons . Like others I worry where all the 600cc engines are going to be sourced and think it could reduce grids at grass-roots racing rather than increase them, then where are the future championship contenders going to come from? ..........or will everybody be racing BEARS? , not that there is anything wrong with BEARS, Phil

You didn't say it wingnut.......and I am sure you weren't thinking it either

Had real problems with the host the last couple of days Dan, they seem to think they have fixed it but they said that at 4am today and by 7am it had gone off again.

wingnut wrote:You want an opinion ok. Changing f1 world championship to 600cc will not increase the number of entrants on the grid, to do that is a much greater challenge as it involves promoters putting up money. So come on FIM leave the tech regs alone and start searching for that elusive benefactor. There you got an opinion and I never said anything about lunatics running the asylum

On the button, it is all about the money.

Some word from those proposing the changes would be great as i have heard many a reason for the changes, ranging from safety to improving grid numbers to getting long and short bikes on the same grid to only being long bikes etc etc... hard to really form an opinion when its not clear on the reason why the changes are being proposed....

Safety issues is easy...dont go racing!!! by its nature accidents in racing will happen not matter what the power/size of the machines are! Some accidents are down to human error, others are freak accidents that no matter what safety measures are in place will happen, Julian Wilson springs to mind (RIP Julian). Without an element of danger, most people wouldn't go racing as its the element that makes us feel alive, and without feeling alive whats the point in living. Others find other ways to feel alive, but for us its racing!

Improving grid numbers, which i believe is the real issue, its down to having a package that's attracts us to compete. When i 1st started racing/getting interested in sidecars (06/07), superside was good, grids were high, there was tv coverage, it ran at some moto gp events and that was my ultimate goal! for the 1st few seasons i raced as a passenger on an F1 i didn't even know there was a british F1 championship, how the times have changed. The british championship is now a much more attractive championship than the worlds, which really isn't how it should be but that's how it is, i don't have my own money behind me to fully fund my racing and if im too continue and push towards being at the front of the pack i need to find sponsors and that's where the british championship eclipses the worlds, apart from the competitiveness of the grid, it has much more to sell a sponsor, tv coverage, racing in front of upto 40000 spectators and a professional looking paddock, running alongside one of the best domestic two wheel championships in the world. Even with all that its still hard to find a sponsor to put the money in, how the hell would i sell the worlds to a sponsor, oh its really good, it gets a 2 min highlight show on youtube, and er some of the events are run alongside club events like thundersport (no dis respect to dave stewart as from what i hear his events are very well run and great for people competing at club level but i use that as an example, a world championship should not be being run at club events!!). As well as being attractive to the competitors its needs to be attractive to the spectators both at the circuit and on the box, the sounds of 1000cc engines screaming and sliding around leaving darkies everywhere, with close racing is always gonna excite more than the same bikes with 600cc in! If there's no one watchin, there is no one to advertise to.....

There needs to be an incentive to compete at the worlds, and the worlds should be the pinnicle of the sport but at the moment it just isnt, It needs promoting and it needs investment, and here's the bottom line in my opinion, changing the engine size too 600cc will make absolutely FUCK ALL difference!

I'm on the short side, don't have a problem either way !!

Nows the time to ignore the World thing. With a bit of luck it will die quickly.

oldbelly wrote:Nows the time to ignore the World thing. With a bit of luck it will die quickly.

It won't get the chance to die quickly Geoff, It is being killed swiftly.

It is obvious the FIM filed for divorce years ago.

Long 600's will cream the short bikes in the corners i reckon.