The Goodwood Members Meeting earlier this year featured for the first time an event involving motorcycle sidecars. It was clearly being enjoyed immensely by the crowds and represented a rare form of modern motor sport where the connection between humans an their machines is clearly visible.. At the time I made a note to find opportunities to watch more of them in action.
Thus, last weekend found me at the Lydden Hill Race Circuit, close to the Kent coast, for the Lord of Lydden & Sidecar Burn Up.
Lydden’s history goes back to 1947 when a motorcycle grass track was created. John Surtees raced sidecars there in 1950 with his father as passenger. Tarmac was laid in 1962 and it gained fame in 1967 when the first ever Rallycross event was held there, televised by ITV. I can well remember being glued to the TV back in the 60’s and 70’s watching the crazy antics that this format can create.
Like many I had seen signs for the circuit while travelling to and from Dover during trips to mainland Europe but, being in a hurry, had never ventured off the A2 to see what was there.
It is, in fact, a delightfully compact circuit with plenty of contour changes and the whole circuit can be seen from many vantage points. There is also a refreshingly low quantity of high wire fencing meaning that spectators can get a clear view of the action and photographers do not have to contend with “shooting through the fence”. Most of the car parking gives a full view of the action so spectators can also watch from the comfort of their vehicles if, as with last weekend, the weather becomes somewhat wet.
A wide range of two and three wheelers were competing in 40 separate races. Unlike many events the gaps between each were remarkably short. As the bikes ending each race were guided back to the paddock the grid was forming for the next, so the action was fast and furious.
Naturally, conventional two wheeled motor bikes were also competing in various classes
Scooters were also in action, some looking remarkably like standard road machines:-
And a few much modified:
Minimotos ( for riders under the age of 14) were also in abundance.
The sidecars did not disappoint – with the bravery and athleticism of the passengers being quite awe inspiring. The thought of travelling at high speed through tight corners with some part of you anatomy in close proximity to the abrasive tarmac is quite spine chilling. Hopefully these pictures give some sense of the skills and agility involved.
