Sidecars?

[Litespeed]

When did the side cars get added to our schedule?  I was just looking at the upcoming Vegas and Phoenix rounds and see sidecars listed.  Is this going to be a permanent addition?

[TrophyGal]

In 2001, the Sidecars raced during some CCS events on the West coast.

Evidently the Sidecar Racers Association http://www.sidecar.com/sra/sra.htm liked the way things were done (plus having additional dates for their competitors), so they're back for 2002.

They have a race on Sat and Sun. - at selected tracks - Buttonwillow, Thunderhill and Vegas only as far as I know. (We do plaques for them along with the CCS ones.  I haven't been told to do any for Firebird, but it looks like someone forgot to tell me!!)

[Racerx21]

Thanks Trophy girl!!
Sidecar #21

[Litespeed]

Cool, I'm looking very forward to seeing them in Vegas next weekend.  Uhhh just in case, where do I get one??

[Racerx21]

Are you interested in buying one?

[Litespeed]

I would like to check them out at least.  I was planning to buy another bike towards the end of summer but the sidecar idea seems very cool, depending on how many races I could get to.

[Racerx21]

Great!!! Always nice to see people interersted in sidecar racing. I've been doing it since 93 and it's killer. I've raced solos and sidecars are more of a rush I think.
Maybe one of us (sidecar teams) could take you out for a couple laps?
We don't really get much time to practice, but it's possible.
Where abouts do you live?
Here's our schedule for this year
http://www.skyq.net/racerx11/2002schedule.html
One of the benifits is that all your expenses are split between two people.

[Litespeed]

I'm in Tucson Arizona so anything in the southwest would work.  Checked the schedule and looks as though most races would be tolerable as for the commute.  The only other question I have (other than how much they cost) is how you convince someone to get on with you.  It seems to be not being in control of the vehicle would require you to place a lot of trust in the driver/rider.

[Racerx21]

Price is not bad, anywhere from $5000 to $10,000 for a long chassis. I believe Bill Becker is builing brand new tube frame long chassis, but I'll have to get a price from him for you. They are complete except for motor and electrical. Any big bore motor would do with my favorite being the GSXR 1100 or 1000 motor, but I've sen cbr900, fzr 1000, r1, ZX10, ZX11, ZX12, Blackbird, etc...
Getting someone to passenger for you is usually easy. Actually due to physics, tall women make the best passengers (great line in a bar). But anyone in good condition around 160-170 pounds will work.
We give rides for charity in Portland for OMMRA, and we've had people buy a sidecar on the spot because the are so jazzed about it.

Any other questions, feel free to ask!

[Racerx21]

BTW, here's a great site for the Superside series that runs with the WSB.
Great photos!
http://www.superside.com/

[Wade Parish]

 I wish there was more sidecar racing here in the US; it looks so COOL on TV. I'm going to the Isle of Man this year and I'm looking forward to seeing the sidecars more than anything else! ;D

[Racerx21]

Isle of Mann, COOL! A guy here passengers for Wade Boyd, his name is Rory O'Connell (sp?), Both him and Wade will be there. Wade is racing solos and Rory is passengering.
We raced at Thunderhill this weekend, got 2cd in the first race and were leading the second race and a suspension part broke and we had a nice roundy-round trip off the track! Getting it welded back together for Las Vegas this weekend.
Looks like we get lots of practice with CCS, if you're inteested, stop by #211 (couldn't get #21) and I'll see if I can take you out for a practice.