This winter has seen frantic activity behind the scenes as the premier domestic sidecar race series grappled with the departure of its long-standing promoter RKB-F1 Motorsport.
A small team of sponsors and ardent supporters with former Grand Prix competitor Andy Peach at the helm has rescued the series from an uncertain future. The title sponsor has yet to be confirmed, as budgets and funding are still being finalised, but everything else is in place in terms of infrastructure. Mike Dommett and his Bemsee organisation will handle the administration and entries.
A seven-round, fifteen-race championship calendar has been announced, with five rounds running alongside the Bennetts British Superbike Championship as before, with that relationship heading into its twelfth season. The BSB October finale at Brands Hatch will carry the now traditional double points structure. Eurosport TV have again pledged their support, with both races shown live, either on TV or the Eurosport App.
The two “stand alone” rounds are the ever-popular Cadwell Sidecar Revival in early August run and promoted by Roger Body. The Revival has grown year-on-year and is a firm favourite with the fans. The comes a first for the series with a trip to Knockhill for the Jock Taylor Memorial early September. This annual event is run by Boris Stroud to commemorate the life and remarkable success of the Scottish World Champion.
It will be a fitting tribute attracting the best sidecar racers in the country as the long F1 outfits do battle with their shorter cousins over the 1.3-mile lap.
The ravages of the pandemic are now behind us, although the impact of the disruption is still being felt in many areas of sport. Dwindling sidecar grids were an unwelcome feature during 2022, so that problem needed addressing.
A change of regulations will now see both short and long chassis outfits competing head-to-head, with three classes as follows. 1/ GP Class (long F1 chassis, Minimum weight 370 kilos), 2/ Cup Class (long F1 chassis, minimum 395 kilos), 3/ F2 Class (FSRA rules minimum 370 kilos).
The points system is revised in line with the changes announced for the BSB other classes. This will give added spice to the track action, whilst keeping grid sizes high.
We will continue to bring you all the news and stories as they unfold, with our website now dedicated solely to the British series.
The 2023 calendar is –
April 29-May 1 Oulton Park BSB
May 19-21 Donington Park BSB
July 7-9 Snetterton BSB
August 5-6 Cadwell Revival
August 11-13 Thruxton BSB
September 2-3 Knockhill Jock Taylor
October 13-15 Brands Hatch BSB
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