From TT press office
2022 and 2023 World and British Sidecar Champions, Todd Ellis and Emmanuelle Clement, are set to make a highly-anticipated debut at the Isle of Man TT Races next year.
Currently the dominant force on three wheels, the Anglo-French pairing, who have taken 15 Grand Prix victories and 38 podiums in the last three seasons, will contest the two 3Wheeling.Media Sidecar Races.
The “new look British Sidecar Championship” arrived in Cheshire with a full grid and a galaxy of stars lining up to kick-start the new season.
Three classes within each race were always going to stir the pot and that proved to be a popular and interesting development. The weather was initially kind for both free practice and qualifying, but that was not to last.
There was a great turnout for this German round including a strong British contingent. The Oschersleben Sidecar Festival featured a round of the German IDM Championship, ensuring Tim Reeves/Kevin Rousseau and Bennie Streuer/Jeroen Remme had a busy weekend.
Qualifying took place in bright sunshine with Todd Ellis/Emmanuelle Clement setting second fastest time on the Santander Salt Yamaha behind series leaders Schlosser/Fries with a lap of 1.31.986.
Tim Reeves/Kevin Rousseau (Bonovo Action Yamaha) were fourth behind Streuer/Remme.
Q2 and it was more of the same in equally great weather conditions. This series is firmly a four-horse race with Reeves, Streuer, Ellis and Schlosser setting the pace at the front.
These four crews filled the front rows, with Pekka Pavairinta/Ilse de Haas also very strong. There was also a good showing form Steve Kershaw/Ryan Charlwood leading the rest of the pack.
Photos from Mark “Big Wally” Walters
Following the great show provided in Donington Park, the FIM Sidecar World Championship crews were determined to repeat that display at Assen.
With only two points splitting the top two teams, it was all to play for as the season hit the half-way stage.
Hot but cloudy conditions greeted the free practice session for the fourteen crews making the trip. There might easily be no stopping Markus Schlosser/Marcel Fries (Gustoil Racing LCR) and they played their hands early coming out on top with a 1.43.552.
Steve Kershaw/Ryan Charlwood (Quattro Yamaha), inspired by victory in Donington were second quickest from defending Champion Tim Reeves/Kevin Rousseau (Bonovo Action Adolf RS Yamaha), ahead of Santander Salt’s Todd Ellis/Emmanuelle Clement.
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For the second time in a matter of weeks, The FIM Sidecar World Championship runs alongside the World SBK series.
The venue this time being the famous “Cathedral of Speed” Assen circuit in Holland where there is an almost fanatical support for the “Zijspan” class. The tradition of sidecar racing in The Netherlands goes back long way with Egbert Streuer and Bernard Schnieders winning three consecutive titles in the eighties.
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Close racing and late drama at Pannoniaring Hungary
Hot, dry conditions would guarantee a great weekend on a newly resurfaced track. Free practice was a close affair, with the top four crews studying each other and the general situation. Tim Reeves/Kevin Rousseau set the standard from Markus Schlosser/Marcel Fries and veteran Pekka Paivarinta/Ilse de Haas. Kees Endeveld capsized his outfit without injury to either occupant.
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The difficulty of added rules and regulations surrounding travel did nothing to dent the appetite of the British crews at the Bugatti Circuit Le Mans for the opening round. Three teams had served seven days quarantine at the circuit ahead of the weekend, with Kevin Cable making the trip slightly later under modified rules. Sadly, UK absentees included John Holden and Rob Biggs.
Nonetheless, sixteen crews enjoyed beautifully sunny conditions on the build-up to a much-anticipated return to Grand Prix action. The numbers were bolstered by a strong showing of French teams.
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FIM Sidecar World Championship
A last-minute change of direction in the war against the Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in the French authorities placing Great Britain under stricter rules for incoming travellers. (The rules still changing daily so no guarantees)
Effective Tuesday June 1st all visitors from the UK must have a negative PCR test before travelling to France, and then be subjected to seven days quarantine and isolation in that country before going about their business. Of the six British crews entered for Le Mans next week, only three could conform to that tight schedule.
