Sidecar-cross racing

.

Via the Great: motodude.com

Sidecar-cross racing, also known as sidecar motocross, started back in the early 1930′s. It is still very popular through out Europe and Australia. And during the 70′s and 80′s in the America it was known as Sidehack racing, but have since faded away. BMX also had Sidehack racing starting back in the early 70′s, some enthusiasts/collectors are trying to bring it back to the sport.


.

Classic Motocross Title

.

Via : www.adelaidenow.com.au

Murray Williams and sidecar passenger Tom Lang will contest the Classic Motocross Title at Crystal Brook. Picture: Matt Turner

When Tom Lang turns 26 on Monday he'll have been alive for half as long as Murray Williams has been racing motorbikes.

The unlikely pair hope their combination of youth and experience can secure an early birthday present when the Australian Classic Motocross Championships wraps up this Sunday at Crystal Brook.
Mr Lang and Mr Williams, 74, will compete in two sidecar classes during the event, riding a 1981 Norton Wasp 920 and 1965 Triumph Bonneville Ariel 650.
Mr Williams began racing bikes in Woomera back in 1959. Now a 10-time Australian sidecar champion, he has no plans to hang up the helmet.
When he was looking for a passenger for the Championships he found in Mr Lang someone who, despite the age difference, shared an equal passion for vintage motorcycles.

.

Sidecarcross

Sidecar-Cross racing, also known as Sidecar Motocross, is very similar to regular, "solo" motocross but with a different type of motorcycle chassis, and with a team of two people riding together instead of one, a "driver" and a "passenger".
Several sidecar manufacturers (for example VMC and EML) in Europe make special chassis which, except for the engine, wheels, plastics, and other components from commonly available large-bore motocross bikes such as the Honda CR500, Kawasaki KX500, and large KTMs. There are also specialised monster-size 2-stroke engines such as the MTH 630, and 700cc Zabel which are made just for Sidecar Motocross racing. The Zabel and MTH are currently the top engines in the World Championship. HOCOB manufacturer of VMC chassis won the FIM award for the best manufacturer motocross sidecar 2007.



Sidecarcross is carried out in the same way as regular motocross on very the same tracks. Handling is different due to the sidecar. Thus the driver cannot lean over in the turns to overcome the centrifugal forces, instead, to make sure the sidecar does not flip over, the passenger leans out (of the sidecar) as much as possible in the corners. The passenger does much more physical work than the driver since they move their whole body around continuously.



One of the most important aspects of sidecar racing is teamwork; the best sidecar teams in the world have been racing together for many years.



A World championship is held over several rounds at top motocross venues, throughout Europe, with a season ending Sidecarcross des Nations. The sport is extremely popular in Eastern Europe. There is a much smaller scene in North America and Australia. The most successful sidecarcrosser in history is the Dutchman Daniël Willemsen, who has become worldchampion six times so far. The most successful team in history however is Kristers Sergis / Artis Rasmanis, since Willemsen won his six titles with four different passengers.