Sidecar Racing

**nodrog:Me** · 6th February 2015, 12:59

**Kickaha** · 15th February 2015, 18:43

Mint day at Ruapuna today for Rd 4 KOR, 8 sidecars for a club round is the best turnout I have ever seen with Spike/Astrid travelling down to give us all a thrashing

We started off a bit crap but got a bit better throughout the day as we made some changes

**ellipsis** · 15th February 2015, 18:53

Originally Posted by Kickaha

We started off a bit crap but got a bit better thorughout the day as we made some changes

...that was a second in the last race wasn't it?...the new crew were looking fairly comfortable in the last race after a first day, bloody marvelous...

**Kickaha** · 15th February 2015, 19:02

Originally Posted by ellipsis

...that was a second in the last race wasn't it?...the new crew were looking fairly comfortable in the last race after a first day, bloody marvelous...

I didn't realise Alex broke a chain on the start and was going as fast as I could expecting him to pass us at any minute, got some good starts as well going off P4 and passing Spike/Astrid

**Shaun Harris** · 15th February 2015, 19:45

Originally Posted by Kickaha

I didn't realise Alex broke a chain on the start and was going as fast as I could expecting him to pass us at any minute, got some good starts as well going off P4 and passing Spike/Astrid

Bugger, i forgot to come ans say hello to you there today

**Kickaha** · 18th February 2015, 17:50

This is a new class they're introducing in the Uk, looks like a lot of fun with not that much outlay when you can buy something like a K100 for $2500 upwards

B.E.A.R.S sidecar racing.
Get started right here !

The freight train now barrelling into the hairpin is the 100 mph special from platform 17 – They’re the BEARS outfits – road derived bikes from Europe and the States with min 17” wheels and a platform bolted on. Current cut-off date is Dec 3Ist 1986. A simple formula giving fast, furious and definitely the cheapest sidecar racing around, with a six meeting series (at six different circuits) and a minimum of four races at each meet. Building a racebike is straightforward, with advice and a tour of the construction facility freely available from current racers. Contact series co-ordinator David Sykes 0116 2876119 sidecarstar@hotmail.co.uk for a chat about how to get started.

Construction Specifications:
Donor bike & parts: Must be a production road bike, mass produced and freely available to buy, built in Britain/Europe/America before 31st December 1986.

Frame: Made by the same manufacturer as the engine. Some leeway allowed for similar frame, different year. Bracing allowed. Frame loop to remain intact, i.e. no cutting away of lower frame rails etc. Fabrication of sub frame allowed to attach sidecar to bikes built without lower rails e.g. Laverda twins/ BMW K100/K75/MZ

Forks: Must be of a similar type to the bike when it left the manufacturers. Upside down forks not allowed. Forks from any BEARS eligible bike allowed. Fork brace allowed. Forks can be modified to leading axle by welding/fabrication to achieve desired trail

Swinging arm: Must be retained and at standard length but suspension can be made rigid. Complete new sub-frame “hardtail” not allowed.

Yokes: Custom made/modified std to bring about suitable trail, allowed.

Wheels: Minimum diameter 17”, rim width as solo BEARS. All alloy wheels must be unpainted i.e. left as bare metal to facilitate their inspection for cracks at scrutineering.

Tyres: As solo BEARS, maximum tyre width 160mm.Must use inner tubes.

Fuelling: Any BEARS eligible carbs allowed. Injection if fitted as standard from new allowed.

Brakes: Any BEARS eligible discs/callipers allowed. Only ONE calliper per disc.

Fuel: Post 72 outfits must use petrol, pre 72 can use methanol.

Sidecar Spec: Minimum diameter for sidecar wheel is 17”; sidecar must bolt to bike as pre 59’s do. Only streamlining allowed is a small nose cone. Sidecar brake not allowed. Sidecar chassis must be made from steel tube. Choice of front/rear exit. Minimum of four anchor points on bike, two upper, two lower. Sidecar wheel suspension not allowed.
Streamlining: If fitted to the donor bike from new, fairings are allowed

Eligibility: Any doubts over eligibility refer to eligibility committee before building. All pre 59 “Big Wheel” outfits are eligible.

Sump Tray : All wet sump machines must have fitted a sump tray filled with absorbent material. Tray to conform to ACU regulations.
Exhausts: Must be under 105db. Turbocharging NOT allowed.

Engine: Must be normally aspirated. Tuning allowed. Supercharging NOT allowed.

Points Scoring: Usual allocation from 15 for first to 1 for tenth with these provisos- under 500cc one place above, 500cc to 800cc as earned, over 800cc one place below.

**Drew** · 18th February 2015, 17:57

Soooo, classics with newer motors. No thanks.

**nodrog:Me** · 18th February 2015, 18:27

Originally Posted by Drew

Soooo, classics with newer motors. No thanks.

not really, reading those rules I think this is what they must be racing.

**wildman** · 18th February 2015, 22:28

Can anyone list the NZ sidecar Champions from 1980 - 1995 and the year they won it. Been searching the web but it's not much help and i know we have a few of them on here.

**sidecar bob** · 19th February 2015, 06:28

Originally Posted by wildman

Can anyone list the NZ sidecar Champions from 1980 - 1995 and the year they won it. Been searching the web but it's not much help and i know we have a few of them on here.

Jellywrestler! They need you over here.

**Kickaha** · 20th February 2015, 19:21

King of Ruapuna Rd 4

The original forecast wasn’t great and the drizzle on the way to the track wasn’t promising but it was dry and overcast when we got there and got set up

It wasn’t too long before the others turned up and with 7 confirmed it was looking good, and then the guys who bought Graeme’s outfit turned up which meant we had eight starters including the current #NZ1 team of Spike Taylor and Astrid Hartnell who had made the trip down to get a few laps in before the next National round

In the twelve plus years I’ve been racing sidecars it’s the best turn out we’ve had for a club day and larger than some years Nationals grids

After getting there and setting up Glen then had to make a quick trip home as he forgotten to bring his leathers but apart from that little hiccup everyone one else was ready to go

I’d made a change to the castor on the front and as soon as we left our pits I could tell the difference with it following the lines in the seal and feeling a bit vague, it felt very nervous turning in and made it hard to drive out of the corner and felt pretty crap really but we decided to run it like that in the race and see if it felt any better as we rode a bit harder

Qualifying times showed we were off the pace we’d normally do and only off P4 with Spike/Astrid off P1, Alex/Paul off P2 and Goober/Matt P3 and Kai/Ella, Phil/Steve on the row behind

Race 1

We get the good launch, good enough to beat both Spike/Astrid and Alex/Paul who were on the row in front of us into T1 and that’s where the front end gets a bit untidy and we run out wider than I’d like and Spike/Astrid motor on past us

Down into pothole and down towards the hairpin and Alex/Paul pull out to pass us, we turn it and it seems I’m fighting with the steering to keep it turning and Alex/Paul pull an easy couple of lengths on us and start pulling away

I can hear Goober/Matt right behind us and a lap or so later coming off T1 outrun us to pothole, we stick right with them around through the infield and I’m picking we’ll be passing them back by the end of the lap

Less than a length between us as we turn into the dipper and next second Goober/Matt are running up high and off the track and we carry on through and I know they won’t be catching back up after that and we take an easy 3rd place

We fuel it up and check the usual bits a pieces and wind ½ a turn out of the castor out of the front

Race 2
Alex/Paul are going out on the Dunnoon after it not starting for race 1 and have given the LCR to the Glen/Alexx Father/daughter team having their first meeting together

The starts not quite as good as race 1 but we head into T1 side by side with Spike/Astrid on the inside line

Once around the corner they proceed to clear out and although trying as best we can don’t even get close to keeping up

We’ve upped the pace over race one and Goober/Matt are steadily getting dropped off so we’re under no pressure and have a lonely ride around by ourselves for a 2nd place finish

We get it up on the stands for the usual check over and knock another ½ turn out of the castor and add one turn into the rear preload

Race 3
Best start yet
We make it past Both Spike/Astrid and Alex/Paul and lead through T1

Spike/Astrid pull alongside down towards pothole and have the inside running, they’re far enough alongside that I have to give them room and we go through two wide which puts us out wider than I want and they’ve got the power down early and pulling away

Into the hairpin and Alex/Paul haven’t come past and I’m trying to push harder as I’m thinking they’re right behind us

We feel like we’re going a bit quicker and I take a couple of looks over the shoulder at the dipper and hairpin and think that when I can’t see Alex/Paul that they must be very close behind

Starting lap 6 and they haven’t come past us and Goober/Matt who don’t seem to have the speed of previous events are lagging behind, we come up to lap Phil/Steve as we hit the sweeper and ride around the outside

Chequered flag out and we get another 2nd place finish and looking behind on the warm down lap there’s no sign of Alex/Paul, as it turns out the broke a chain as they launched and only made it a few metres

Fantastic day at the track and the good turn out only made it better, very much appreciated to see Spike/Astrid make the trip down as well

Now it’s time to prep the sidecar before we head off to Hampton Downs in three weeks time for Nationals Rd 3

**Voltaire** · 20th February 2015, 20:10

I'd like to see supercharged and turbo bikes.

**Kickaha** · 21st February 2015, 07:15

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sidecar-ra...item2eddef42ac

Welcome to my auction for my Windle F2 with Honda CBR600RR 03-06 engines.

This is a great handling bike and I've enjoyed riding it. I've had personal best times at 3 tracks on it last year including a 3rd place at the southern 100 (see first pic). Its very stable at high speed but light and forgiving on the tighter tracks. I'm only selling as I want something a bit newer for racing at the TT/S100/ British F2 etc. These pictures were taken when I got the bike. I've tidied it up a lot since then, removed the celtic stickers and changed the wheels so the slicks are on silver rims.

The good bits and what's included.

Its a Windle chassis made by the world famous Terry Windle around 1998-2000 I believe.

2 standard 2006 Honda CBR600RR engines.

1 damaged engine for spares.

Various spares including heads, injectors, looms, bearings, sprockets, etc etc.

Comes with 6 wheels. Both front wheels with discs. 1 set of wheels (standard silver) has 1 meeting old Yokohama Radial tyres. 1 set (the red wheels in the pictures) has good condition Yokohama wet's.

AP racing callipers all round.

Maxton shocks front and rear. Recently re-furbished by Maxton.

HRC kit ignition

Quick shift (needs wiring in)

Power commander 5

Power commander auto-tune.

Recent chain

Recent brake pads all round

New rear wheel bearing and bearing housing

Recent front wheel bearings (both wheels)

I've just had some new exhaust flanges made

Bad bits.

The fairing and seat are on their last legs. They are usable but had a lot of repairs some better than others. I can put the buyer in touch with a few people with good second hand fairings.

The under tray is like the fairing. Tatty but usable.

There isn't an engine in the bike at the moment but I'll try and get one in over the next week or so depending on the sale.

The radiator is beyond economical repair and needs a new one.

The wiring works fine and is sound, but a bit untidy. If I were to keep the bike I'd maybe tidy it up.

It only has a TT tank. Again this hasn't caused me any problems at all but some people like to run a small tank.

So generally it is a very good bike but needs a small amount of TLC and a few quid spending on it. Once that is done and with the right crew on board it would be a very good bike and more than capable of running at the front of club races or mid pack at a higher lever.

I may be interested in selling as a rolling chassis if someone didn't want the Honda engines etc.

I am taking into account the money that needs spending and my reserve price will reflect that.

For more information or to come and view please drop me a text on 07715 167700 or email jc@anodeelectronics.co.uk.

The bike is near Knaresborough, North Yorkshire and I'm available pretty much any time for viewings.

I can ship abroad at buyers cost. Please contact me for a price.

Cash on collection only or full price inc shipping via bank transfer if shipping abroad.

Cheers.

John.