The Place

Hi - My passenger and I have been talking to a few of the existing P1 and P2 crews last season and this season about trying to lift the numbers of 750 sidecars on our grids to improve the championship racing and push towards getting our own race. The proposal attached has changed a bit since we first put it together as we have taken on comments from other crews, we have also kept sidecar bloke in the picture all the way through so Ian knows what we are trying to achieve and is OK for us to push on with this if the interest is there.
So it's open for comment especially from crews who race 750 sidecars currently and crews who might race a 750 sidecar in the future. We are at Donington next weekend Sidecar number 54 - so come and tell us what you think good bad or indifferent.

Steve and Byron Reilly

Thanks to Steve and Byron Riley for their work in putting these proposals together. My personal view is that the proposal is a good one for all the reasons that Steve has mentioned and can only be a good thing for the future of classic sidecar racing in the UK.

There have been many drivers that have intimated that should a separate race for 750cc sidecars in the classic club be available then they would either bring out an existing bike currently owned or would acquire one and contest the class. So now is the time to put your money where your mouth is, not only ensuring that the proposal gets off to a great start but also without doubt give both the spectators and participating crews a great deal of enjoyment.

I know there are many European crews with 750cc outfits and it would be fantastic if many of them where to consider joining us.

So here is the first reply to Steve's proposal, lets see some more backup and who knows, we could be seeing even more sidecar races in the very near future...let's hope so.

This is a really good proposal. I would love to race in P1 and P3 at the same meeting. However I think it would be at the expense of other races as the programme is already overloaded.

Eddy Wright wrote:This is a really good proposal. I would love to race in P1 and P3 at the same meeting. However I think it would be at the expense of other races as the programme is already overloaded.

Great that in principal that you support it Ed but lets not worry about the programme side as that is for the officials to work out and they have already given this their blessings.
Over the years there have been many solo classes that have expanded and ended up having there own races added so why can't the sidecars have the same opportunity?
I think it would be a very poor show if there were to be an enthusiastic and large enough number of sidecar crews and they could not be catered for. After all, it isn't the Solo Classic Racing Club and sidecars have been a part of it for many years, so I think we need to make positive noises and push hard and Im sure all will be good.

Steve and Byron have worked hard on these proposals,and now to make them work those crews who have 750's that are not currently racing because they would prefer to race in their own class rather than struggle in a race with the more powerful p3's NOW IS THE TIME TO START ENTERING,rather than just talking. Actions speak louder than words,this will of course signal to the club that we are very serious about Steve and Byron's plan for our own class. I am very much in favor of of expanding the rules to be able to use of all engines used in period.

Looks well thought out, might dust the Harley off for next year

Hmmm sounds fun I can borrow one of dads 750 honda engines and put it in outfit for next year then? Can I run mini wheels or have to be 16"?

Hi Guys- Just a quick response to say thanks for all of the positive stuff its great.

Eddy - The initial step is to lift the grids as Terry states, then if we can get enough I am sure the club will accommodate us as we all know classes ebb and flow hopefully we will flow !!!!!!

Peter - Absolutely love to see a Harley on the grid just fit the red number plates and come on down !!!!!!!

Sean - All eligible wheel sizes are eligible (so yes 10" wheels are fine), although one area that we have not bottomed out yet is the Kehin CR carbs, I am going to talk to Brian Gray at Donington and ask him what a good 750 Honda will pump out with CR's and what a good 750 Honda will pump out without CR's as what we are trying to achieve is that one type of engine doesn't run away off the front it's more about the crew and the chassis and keeping a number of different engines challenging for honours as happened in the classic period.

REf Honda cr carbs

Obivously Brian is going to say they make no difference
Why allow CR carbs when there plenty of period carbs that will to the job such as amal / dellorto / mikuni / kiehan.
Allow the 3 cylinder Triumph / bsa should be in as as right as people used them in the peroid agaist all the twins, no advantage because they weigh a ton.

Mike, the triples are being allowed as long as they are 750cc. The Tapsell's have already said that they would run a 750 in their bike.
As you have pointed out things balance out due to different weights and configurations etc. That's what will make the class so interesting.

I agree with mike. The Honda with or without CR carbs is better running in P3 or with CR carbs in post classic.

Thanks to the efforts of Ian ,and the CRMC in general Classic Sidecars are booming, with full grids plus reserves, I think the classes should be split to give the 750s their own race. I will support it.

I have spoken to Brian about CR carbs. The facts are in 1970 at Daytona the Hondas ran CR Keihin carbs, these were on a gallery and were easily fixed to the 750 engine. These original carbs are no longer available although a set sold on eBay recently for £3800. It has been agreed the later CR carbs fitted to the Honda (mk 2) should only be fitted with gallery as supplied to replace the mk1. They are a different shape and use chokes instead of ticklers.
Be aware that making this allowance has already lead to abuse of the rules by CR carbs being used on a Moorespeed BMW at Pembrey, bored out so large that the carbs split on half leading to a retirement.

Not wanting to hijack this post regarding the exciting work Steve and Byron have already done but the facts need to be straight before people start putting their tuppence worth in.

Steve if you want to know more about the CR carbs have a chat with Brian at Donington, he will be happy up talk you through the advantages and disadvantages.

As I have already mentioned to Steve and Byron..................if this comes to pass, we'd seriously consider building a 750.

Nick,To make these things happen please do it now, the more that enter the greater the effect, if everybody wait's to see what happens it may not. sitting on the fence is not productive.

I'm not going to build a less competetive bike than I have now if I'm still only going to be allowed to race it in P3.