Category: World Championship

Ellis and Clement do the double in the Ardennes

Posted on 05/06/202205/06/2022 by Barry Nutley

Photos from the great Mark Walters

No fewer than seventeen crews took to the grid for this, the third round of the 2022 FIM Sidecar World Championship.

Absent on Isle of Man TT duty were Tim Reeves/Kevin Rousseau and Harry Payne/Mark Wilkes. Ordinarily, it might easily have been a case of “when the cat’s away”, but the two crews at the top of the standings maintained the pace which got them there and starred once more in Belgium.

Free practice saw Todd Ellis and Emmanuelle Clement (Santander Salt Yamaha) edge out Markus Schlosser/Marcel Fries (Gustoil Yamaha) and Benny Streuer/Kevin Kolsch (Bonovo Action Yamaha) to the tune of half a second.

Legendary Spa circuit hosts World Championship round three, June 2-5th

Posted on 23/05/202223/05/2022 by Barry Nutley

From Barry Nutley

The sight of grand prix sidecars streaming through Eau Rouge and away along the Keppel Straight is a sight to stir even the most passive of motorsport fans. That is what to expect the weekend of June 2-5th when the third round of the FIM Sidecar World Championship again joins the FIM Endurance World Championship, this time at the famous 4.352 miles Ardennes circuit of Spa Francorchamps in Belgium.

Four races are already done with fierce battles up front. Young British star Todd Ellis (Santander Salt Yamaha) and French lady passenger Emmanuelle Clement, hold a slender four-point lead over reigning champions Markus Schlosser and Marcel Fries. The Swiss Gustoil Yamaha team have been as strong as last season, earning universal respect for their skill and determination.

Amazing quality video

Posted on 27/04/202227/04/2022 by Steve English

Race 2 from Le Mans with Team Schlosser. Superb camera action, 38 minute video but it’s one to sit and savour.

Link here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTGJ9Cplqcc if you want to watch on YouTube.

For a full page version on here click the title of the article or ‘continue reading’.

Ellis/Clement leave Le Mans as championship leaders

Posted on 17/04/202218/04/2022 by Barry Nutley

photos by Mark Walters

The long wait for race action did not disappoint in France. The weather was perfect for the two races, and all the top teams completed qualifying successfully with one exception. The first session times were very close, with just eight tenths of one second splitting the top five. Previous new lap record holders Ted and Vincent Peugeot had their eyes opened with the pace, as they ended up sixth fastest behind Tim Reeves/Kevin Rousseau. A brilliant effort by Harry Payne/Mark Wilkes found them top of the pile just over one tenth quicker than Todd Ellis and Emmanuelle Clement. Reigning Champions Schlosser/Fries came next ahead of Steve Kershaw/Ryan Charlwood.

Four short weeks and we will all be in Le Mans

Posted on 11/03/202211/03/2022 by Barry Nutley

Suddenly the new FIM Sidecar World Championship is almost here with the opening round scheduled over the weekend of 14-16 April in Le Mans.

2021 saw an exceptionally close five-way battle, possibly the tightest for years. All bets are off for 2022 because those hungry young guns are back, whilst the old guard, including the reigning and former champions, are all determined to retain or reclaim the title.

Cadwell Sidecar Revival is not far away – get on board

Posted on 08/03/202208/03/2022 by Barry Nutley

The way time is running, we will be into full swing with racing action before we know it.

Our season kicks off at Oulton Park, with Knockhill and Brands Hatch the next up.

It is then off to Cadwell Park for the excitement and spectacle of the Sidecar Revival Festival. The early August date is guaranteed to appeal to all sidecar fans, who have demonstrated in previous years how much they welcome the variety of outfits and personalities on show.

Cadwell Sidecar Revival is coming in August – don’t miss it.

Posted on 17/02/202217/02/2022 by Barry Nutley

With all eyes on a full Molson Group British Championship in 2022, it’s important to note the fourth round will be at the popular and now well-established Cadwell Park Sidecar Revival.

This event has become a favourite with teams and spectators alike, and with restrictions imposed by two years of pandemic now easing, the entry is expected to be bigger than ever.

Full house of dates for 2022 FIM Sidecar World Championship

Posted on 23/12/202124/12/2021 by Barry Nutley

After a difficult yet nonetheless very successful 2021 season which saw Markus Schlosser and Marcel Fries crowned champions, Roger Body and his RKB-F1 management team in conjunction with the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme are delighted to announce a full eight-round Championship for 2022. With most European countries now well advanced in their Covid-19 vaccination programmes, there is a real sense of optimism that the global pandemic which has so severely affected sport and travel, will not disrupt arrangements and plans for a full racing season.

All roads lead to Estoril and double points 29-31 October

Posted on 26/10/202126/10/2021 by Barry Nutley

The Circuito do Estoril, located about nine kilometres outside the Portuguese Capital Lisbon is home to the final round of the 2021 Championship.

A moderate climate at this late stage of the year, and double points on offer, make it an attractive proposition for a host of crews to make the trip. At the time of going to press, no fewer than eight nations will be represented from eighteen teams.

The late cancellation of the UK Brands Hatch round means that there is an even greater sense of urgency for those teams at the top of the standings.

Three races and huge points at Estoril Finale

Posted on 21/10/202127/10/2021 by Steve English

Following the unfortunate late cancellation of the British round at Brands Hatch last
weekend, urgent negotiations between RKB-F1 Motorsport, the FIM and the Estoril promoter have resulted in one additional race being added to the schedule.

Brands Hatch penultimate World Championship round cancelled

Posted on 08/10/202108/10/2021 by Barry Nutley

It is with huge regret that RKB-F1 announces the cancellation of the planned round at Brands Hatch over the weekend of 15-17 October.
Many of you will recall that last season we ran a Santander Salt/Bonovo two round series under the guise of the International Sidecar Superprix in which we had a mixed grid of World and National Championship teams. This was a one-off series which provided a pragmatic solution to a catastrophically disrupted season and delivered a spectacle of 26 teams to an International TV audience

FIM Sidecar World Championship Round Six Oschersleben Germany

Posted on 04/10/202104/10/2021 by Steve English

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.

More success for Schlosser/Fries in Rijeka as Ellis Clement consolidate championship position

Posted on 01/09/202101/09/2021 by Steve English

The 2021 FIM World Championship is well and truly alive and kicking. Even with a grid depleted by COVID and travel restrictions, all the main players were on duty in Rijeka, welcomed with open arms by an enthusiastic crowd at the Automotodrom Grobnik. Eleven teams made the long journey, with three trekking from the UK. Former eight-times World Champion Tim Reeves with his French passenger Kevin Rousseau set the standard in free practice, from series leaders Markus Schlosser/Marcel Fries (Gustoil Yamaha). Third and fourth came Todd Ellis/Emmanuelle Clement (Santander Salt Yamaha) followed by reigning British Champions Steve Kershaw/Ryan Charlwood.

Assen World SBK treated to top-class sidecar action as Schlosser extends lead

Posted on 26/07/202126/07/2021 by Barry Nutley

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.