British Sidecar Championship

Cadwell Park – Report and Images by David Gowshall

26 – 28^th August 2022



Two races made up Round 7 of the Molson Group British Sidecar Championship held at this Bank Holiday weekend’s British Super Bike meeting at Cadwell Park. The “Party in the Park” provided another record-breaking performance from Lincolnshire based Todd Ellis and his French passenger Emmanuelle Clement (#6) and as always, some superb entertainment, despite a small grid made up of just eleven outfits.

Both races closed the day’s action on both the Sunday and Monday programmes, with vast numbers of spectators missing the thrilling three-wheel action as they made an early exit immediately following the BSB race.

For those who stayed it proved well worth it as they witnessed the occupants of the turquoise number 6 outfit put on another superb display, winning both races and recording another lap record in the process.

Ellis and Clement extending their championship lead over rivals Sam and Tom Christie (#34), who despite their best efforts and posting personal best times round the undulating circuit, could not match the pace of the front runners.

Behind these two pairings in Race 1 there was a tremendous tussle for the third podium spot between the two Kawasaki LCR outfits of Lee Crawford and the experienced Jake Lowther (#117), the young duo of George Holden and Oscar Lawrence (#93) on their stunning blue outfit and Lewis Blackstock and Paddy Rosney (#95) on their Yamaha.

Between them they served up some classic sidecar racing, with their overtaking manoeuvres drawing deep breaths from the commentators and spectators alike.

Sidecar racing is not known as a contact sport, but the narrowness of the Cadwell track and the intensity of the battle for places and championship points meant there was a bit of grass tracking.

There were a few dents in the fairings when the crews returned to the paddock after ten laps that in many respects resembled the dodgems at the fairground.

Sixth place was the reward for the consistent Simon Robinson and Mick Fairhurst (#19)

In Race 2 the pace didn’t slacken. The top two again kept the timekeepers busy as they flirted with their PB times, as Ellis and Clement reduced their outright lap record further on their LCR Yamaha to just 1min 31.1secs, and the Christie brothers went under 1min 32secs for their first time around the mini-Nurburgring.

Behind them the same three protagonists, this time joined by Ellis and Clement’s Santander team-mates Rob Biggs and Jason Pitt (#5), fought out another hectic and very “physical” race.

This time Holden and Lawrence filled the final step on the podium, with Biggs and Pitt producing an incredible overtake on the Mountain on the last lap to deny Crawford and Lowther fourth place. Blackstock and Rosney, limped home after one too many “comings together “ with a rival, making sixth place.

Finally, a mention to the other crews who took part over the weekend and continue to support this highly competitive championship.

Rupert Archer/Phil Hyde (#70), Andy Peach/Ken Edwards (#4), Craig Clarke/Peter Ensor (#19) and the “Hazbeanz” Craig Hauxwell and Derek Taylor (#89). All gave 100%, with both Hyde and Taylor suffering unexpected excursions out of the “chair” during the weekend.

Round 8 of the championship takes place at Snetterton on the weekend 9^th – 11^th September, and with the Christies, now 35 points in arrears, realistically only Ellis and Clement are rivals for the championship, and will do battle again.

The title is far from being decided yet, with Ellis and Clement not available for the penultimate round at Donington Park, due to their quest to be World Champions, and the last round at Brands Hatch in October counting for double points.

You can see more of David’s work on the DEEGEE: Motorsport Photography web page.