Didn't know if this was for the racing section or not so decided as it is my general waffle I would post it here. After 10 years away form competitive Sidecar Racing (passenger) and 8 years since my last 'for fun' race I have decided to have another go, or at least try. I started as a passenger when I was 16 and did my first Southern 100 at about 20 and TT at 22. I walked away (all bar the fun race) from it in 2005 after a spill at the Southern 100 as it could have been much worse and I lost my passion for it. To be honest I only broke a collarbone (still hurts now) and took all the skin from my back when my leathers peeled away (broken zip was actually the cause of the accident when on a left hander the wind got in them and pinned me where I was, I could not make the corner and we flipped, I kid you not). But it is not often you can hit a wall like that and get away with it. However 10 years is a long time ago now and recently I have really missed it. So with that in mind I have lined up a test session for the early part of the season, around March 2015 to see if I can still cut it, still enjoy it or if 'there was a damn good reason I packed in to start with' So before I reapply for a license and commit to anything for sure I am going to jump on with Dean 'Delboy' Kilkenny. For those who follow road racing, he is a mad passenger who scrapes his head on the ground at Scarborough but also drives. I've told him not to go easy on me as that defeats the point of the test. If I do decide to go back (which is likely) I won't be doing roads anymore but would like to think I can get back to the British F2 Championship and 'maybe' have a run on the British F1 Championship too but that is quite a few races and signatures away. I talked it over with SWMBO and the answer was 'up your life insurance to cover it and I have no problem with it' which I assume to be the green light to get back out there. Wish me luck, I think I might need it!
I had the good fortune to passenger a few times back in the 80's. First time at a Snetterton practice day with a driver called Tony Calvey (last I heard of him he was flying stunt planes or something) who only had one leg but could pilot a TZ750 outfit at unbelievable speeds - he took me out for a few fun laps as I had never done it before and got round in lap times that would have won on the following Sunday club meeting. Also passengered at Donington in a GSX1100 outfit at one of the Daily Mirror meetings and Brands club circuit in the wet at a Marlborough Clubmans round. Loved every second of it. I'll always be greatfull to TC for helping me to achieve one of my lifes ambitions.
Top man I'm 45 soon, amd have a mate who was racing at 65, so I have another yrs to go myself...so I told the missus the other week
Did my first race last month at Thruxton at the age of 49, 2015 will be my first full(ish) season in my 50th year.
