r the BEARs sidecar series:I am flabbergasted that anyone would think that changing a class in its second year could ever be a good idea. Outfits are being made as we speak that would be made obsolete if this gets voted through. All who support this class must see that we must at all costs encourage people to come to this class and to do that we must have stability and machines of similar performance.
The two outfits that have competed all the rounds this season were BMW K100 based with a stock power output of about 95bhp through development of the machines and crews the speeds have been impressive and we have seen some close racing. It this motion is passed then the Triumph bikes with 1200cc and up to 147bhp (MCN) would be allowed in and that would be a disaster for anyone running an outfit from this season. I also feel that big discrepancies in speed are dangerous and are a basic safety concern.
The most innovative and far reaching part of the BEARs Sidecar concept is the cheapness. As I have repeatedly said on my radio show ‘this is the cheapest sidecar racing for thirty years’ Believe me its true, my outfit costing me £850 race ready and John Lorriman’s
less than that, in fact the most expensive outfit built so far being that of Adam Pope at a still poultry £1500! This would not be the case if later bikes were allowed into the class!This proposal would allow Ducati 888 with a power output of over 150bhp a six speed gear box and a lowest price tag of £6000. Anyone who wanted to build an outfit based on this bike would easily buy the championship.
I want this class to grow and at some time we will have to look at more modern bikes but I don’t think that needs to be for at least five years.
