Smallbrook Stadium will be the host venue for the first round of the ACU British Sidecar Speedway Championships this coming Saturday (1st June).
The breathtaking 1000 cc methanol-guzzling sidecars are heading to the Isle of Wight with the UK’s top 16 crews set to be locking horns at the home of the Wightlink Warriors speedway team.
Sidecar Speedway GB organised 5 championship rounds last season as well as a very successful team event. On every occasion the fans and riders left the stadium with the adrenaline flowing after 20+ heats of fairing-rubbing racing. The sight and sounds of 4 1000 cc multi-cylinder 170 bhp ‘monsters’ screaming into the first bend is one of the most breathtaking sights in sport.
Reigning British Champions Paul Whitelam/Alan Elliott will begin the defence of their title facing some tough opposition. These include ex-champions and last season’s runner-up Mark Cossar who will have Sam Heath on the back in place of regular passenger Carl Blyth . Both very experienced crews, as are Mick Cave/Bradley Steer and Will Penfold/Ricky Pay. All these riders have raced against the best in the world in Australia, the spiritual home of Sidecar Speedway. All turned down invites to compete in this year’s World Cup in order to concentrate on preparation for racing in the UK in 2019.
The crews recently warmed up for the season at the ‘Season Opener’ in Leicester. After 22 heats of thrilling, neck and neck, edge of the seat racing, 2017 champions Mark Cossar & Carl Blyth took a well deserved win. Not such a great night for the defending champions as Paul Whitelam & Alan Elliott blew an engine early on, but if you are going to suffer gremlins then better to do it at warm up event rather than drop championship points.
Sidecar GB had an awesome year in 2018 and with some of the newer less experienced crews getting quicker on the shale meeting by meeting it looks like 2019 is going to be a cracker.
Gates open at 17:45, practice starts at 18:30 and the main action begins at 19:00. £10 for Adults, under 16’s go free.
