 |
|
Bdr
Jeff Brown, left, and sidekick Darryl Rayner tackle a tight
corner in the Australian Historic Racing Association race
meeting at Eastern Creek Raceway, Sydney, on February 8.
Photo provided by Bdr Jeff Brown, 7 Fd Regt
|
Lean
in to it
Arty
soldier places second in sidecar final
By
Cpl Alisha Carr
IT APPEARS Tom Cruise isn’t the only man with a need for speed,
with Bdr Jeff Brown recently making a statement at the Australian
Historic Racing Motorcycle Association meet at Eastern Creek Raceway
in Sydney.
After
trouble locating a passenger and blowing up a motor in practice,
Bdr Brown, 7 Fd Regt, and sidekick Darryl Rayner went on to claim
four third positions and one second place finish in the sidecar
final.
Bdr
Brown, who has been racing for just over a year, said he was a part
of the Annandale-Leichhardt Motorcycle Club and got into the sport
after the club ran a training day.
“I
decided I really liked it and wanted to give it a go,” he said.
 |
|
Escaping
the chase – Bdr Jeff Brown and passenger Darryl Rayner
face the challenge of competition.
Photo provided by Bdr Jeff Brown
|
“At
the most recent meet there were 22 bikes and 44 people – so
the sport is increasing in popularity.
“Normally
at a State meeting 12-15 bikes will turn up and about 25-30 at a
National meeting.
There
is usually only one race, with all competitors on the day competing
in the same race.”
The
costs of the bikes varies, with Bdr Brown paying about $10,000 to
start out.
“You
can get started with as little as three or four thousand, with the
more expensive bikes costing up to $100,000 – depending on
how fast you want to go.”
He
said sidecar bikes were different to normal motorcycles.
“These
bikes have three wheels, they’re uneven – two on one side
and one on the other.
“The
passenger’s job is to make up for the missing fourth wheel,
so to speak. They balance from side to side to help the bike make
it around corners.”
He
said very little training was involved with the sport.
“You
basically learn as you go – through competition.
“Since
I began racing the sport has definitely become more popular –
a few of the older people seem to be giving it away, but a lot more
seem to be starting than previously.
“People
from any club that’s involved in motorcycle racing can race
in sidecar event, but Annandale-Leichhardt is the main club in Sydney.
People need to get a competition licence before they begin and they
can get this from any club that’s affiliated with Motorcycling
Australia.”
He
said there were about 30 or 40 clubs in Sydney and many more around
the country.
“The
prize money is not great – generally you get about $500 for
a first, down to about $75 for 10th. For smaller events you wouldn’t
get any prize money but the trophy is enough anyway.”
He
said despite the lack of prize money, competing in the sport was
quite expensive.
“Travel
and running costs really take their toll. It all adds up very quickly
and can really be a problem.”
Bdr
Brown intends to compete in all four rounds of the Australian Sidecar
Championship this year and is aiming to improve in his fourteenth
position in 2002.
|
