By its very nature, Mallory Park is one of the best viewing circuits in the country.

Over the decades, countless tens of thousands of spectators have crowded the banks surrounding the tight, picturesque Leicestershire circuit, to watch the world's best sidecar racers battle for supremacy.

This spectacle will be played out again in the strongest sidecar championship on the planet, over this coming weekend 8/9th July.

At the previous round in Norfolk, series leaders Tim and Tristan Reeves maintained their unbeaten record on the Carl Cox Motorsport Kawsaki with a brace of wins. Defending champions Ricky Stevens and Ryan Charlwood (JG Speedfit Cool Kawasaki) have regained some of their composure, but need to find an answer for the dominance of Reeves.

The success of the front of the pack is almost overshadowed by some brilliant performances further down the field. A new star is born in the shape of Todd Ellis, stepson to Gary Bryan. He, along with experienced passenger Charlie Richardson, on their Santander Salt 600cc LCR, came into the series as Rookies at Knockhill, claimed two victories and a podium on their debut, and followed that up with a brace of second places to the Birchalls at Snetterton. As a result, they now sit second in the 600 Cup standings behind the vastly more experienced Alan Founds/Tom Peters (Brian Gray Powerbiking Yamaha).

Add to that a sensational return to race action by Barry James, now teamed up with young Jack Tritton. This pair were out in anger for the first time at Snetterton, and followed up an amazing fifth in race one, with an absolutely astonishing podium third in the second encounter.

A strong start by Steve Kershaw/Stuart Clark hit the buffers in Norfolk, with mechanical issues knocking them out of any points. The same befell Chris Walker/Ashley Hawes, so these crews will be playing catch-up at Mallory.

Expect to see a record number of three- wheelers on track, with passenger experiences or “taxi rides” taking place on saturday, with proceeds going to the Grenfell Tower fire fund.

With no live Eurosport, a dedicated TV crew will be present to produce the usual highlights show for frontrunner TV and the new “Motortrend on Demand” on-line channel.


Barry Nutley & John Mushet