2002 FIM SUPERSIDE Sidecar World Championship
Round 4 Silverstone, UK, 26th May

With memories of the famous Shell Oils British Grand Prix in 1982, at Silverstone, this was the first time that the Sidecar World Championship had been back to Silverstone for nearly 20 years !

The Friday lunchtime practice session, on a damp track, were not the best conditions to learn a new circuit. Coupled with storm force winds and the open nature of Silverstone, being an old airfield site, the prospect of being blown down Hangar Straight was not appealing ! The strong winds soon began to dry the track and by the time the session got under-way, a good dry line had appeared. The boys where soon up to speed and posted the 11th fastest time of the session, and where thoroughly enjoying the new circuit. Chris described the circuit as similar to Assen, in Holland, with fast flowing corners and slower technical sections.

The first timed qualifying session later on the Friday afternoon, was held in relatively sunny conditions, but the persistent gale force winds still affected the speeds along the back straight. After making some adjustments to the bike and putting new rubber on, the boys looked forward to improving their times from the first free session, with growing track knowledge. The Team pushed hard from the start of the session and at one stage, where up to 6th place. Only 0.300 sec covered teams from 7th to 10th, with the Team finally settling for a contented 10th place and a potential fourth row start.

The second timed session on the Saturday, couldn't have been held in more contrasting conditions. With continued strong winds and a wet track, the boys would hold their 10th place, as no one went faster, or improved on their times. The track continued to dry throughout the session, but was still plagued with puddles of standing water. Unfortunately for Chris and Pete, the boys on the last lap of the session, having already qualified in 10th spot, found one of these puddles. Chris explains,
" Coming into the Complex and into Woodcote, the left-hander before the right onto the start / finish straight, we slid across a puddle of standing water. The slide was not a problem but when the bike gripped again on the dry track, the bike flipped upside down and left me pinned underneath it." Pete was also fortunate to get away lightly, but scored a credible 10 out of 10, from the crowd for his high somersaults.

With a lot of work to do before the race, to repair fairings and straighten brackets, the Team worked brilliantly and turned the slightly second-hand bike around, with half-an-hour to spare, before the race. This included Pete using his crochery and knitting skills to sew a couple of patches into the back of Chris's damaged leathers ! !

With a good position on the grid, the Boys had an ideal opportunity for a good start and to get the hole shot. The lights changed and initially the bike took off before wheel spinning and ending up being passed by seven other teams ! You can imagine the frustration felt by both Chris and Pete as they again then had to battle back through the field. Lap after lap the they pushed hard, but 16 laps around Silverstone soon goes quick and the Team could only manage to reach 12th place. The boys where disappointed with the result, after such a good qualification….but hey, 4 points and moving upto 13th in the Championship isn't all despair ! Back to the drawing board with the starts however, so watch this space for big improvements at the next round on Saturday 8th June at Eurospeedway, Lausitzring, in Germany ! !

See you there……. Or follow the Team's progress @ www.superside.com

Results :

1 Abbott / Biggs GBR Yamaha 16 laps
2 Hanks / Biggs GBR Yamaha 16 laps
3 Steinhausen / Hopkinson GER Suzuki 16 laps

12 Founds / Founds GBR Yamaha 16 laps

Chris Founds
Team Principal, Team Founds Racing