The Halstead Club hosted the first round of the ACU British Sidecarcross championships of 2023 at the Wakes Colne track in Essex.
The weather had got the better of the track and rain from Friday was still in puddles, the sun was out and helped with the trying but practice was difficult, and the club worked hard to remove the deep areas and make the track rideable.
There were 20 sidecars entered and a twin shock support class, which was great for spectators.
Unfortunately, the current champion Stuart Brown and his new passenger Nathan Cooper did not attend the event as Stuart was injured at the first GP in Spain. Another team struggling with injuries were Gary Moulds and Lewis Gray, with Gary not at full fitness but managed two eventful races before racing back to the ferry crossing back to Northern Ireland.
Out in force was Brett Wilkinson and Joe Millard who have been on the podium in all events they’ve attended this season - a fantastic achievement. And they kept up that records with three brilliant wins to take full points and lead the championship.
Racing got underway with an early lead for Brett Wilkinson / Joe Millard, holding the lead throughout and going on to take their first great win. The new pairing of Dan Foden / Ryan Humphrey tucked into second but suffered problems with the mud and retired with mechanical problems. Tony Grahame / Scott Grahame tucked into second although a safe distance behind the leaders. Behind the battle for third was close with Sam Osbaldiston / Harley Lloyd tucking in behind George Kinge / Paul Horton and making a strong challenge, but both teams came together and stopped in the mud with no way to get moving, leaving them track side. After a slow start Lee Foyle and new passenger Dan Phelps kept a steady pace to move into third place. Luke Peters / Thomas Mackay passed Paul Pelling / Mike Curnow to take fourth, with Daniel Lawry / Jak Watson just behind.
In Race two Brett Wilkinson / Joe Millard took the holeshot, and despite the difficult conditions took a second great win. Gary Moulds / Lewis Gray held second from George Kinge / Paul Horton, but both had mechanical problems, Moulds had rear wheel problems which slowed them, and eventually the moose split and came out of the wheel, they made it back to the pit box and changed for a new wheel, but that put them a lap down. Sam Osbaldiston / Harley Lloyd tucked into second and this time they held the position, Tony Grahame / Scott Grahame held a safe third. Behind Luke Peters / Thomas Mackay were on top form blasting into fourth, ahead of Ashley Williams / Jon Hunt with Paul Pelling / Mike Curnow holding sixth.
In the last championship race of the day Brett Wilkinson / Joe Millard held the championship lead at and were determined to keep it that way, they blasted off the start and into bend one leading the pack, and that’s where they stayed, taking maximum points on the day, and gaining the red plate for the next round. George Kinge / Paul Horton again had a great start, but this time stayed out of trouble and held a brilliant second place. There was a strong battle for second with Tony Grahame / Scott Grahame fighting into third with enough points to take second overall. Lee Foyle / Dan Phelps fought passed Luke Peters / Thomas Mackay to take fourth, and that one move was enough to secure them a podium position, a first for the pair. Taylor Whitt / Jake Grahame held a brilliant sixth with Paul Pelling / Mike Curnow just behind.
Don’t miss round the next on 02 July at Dean Moor where the battle to become 2023 champion will continue.
1
Brett Wilkinson / Joe Millard
25
25
25
75
2
Tony Grahame / Scott Grahame
22
20
20
62
3
Lee Foyle / Dan Phelps
20
14
18
52
4
Luke Peters / Thomas Mackay
18
18
16
52
5
Paul Pelling / Mike Curnow
16
15
14
45
6
Richard Gilham / Miles Gilham
14
13
13
40
7
George Kinge / Paul Horton
8
9
22
39
8
Taylor Whitt / Jake Grahame
11
10
15
36
9
Ashlie Williams / Jon Hunt
7
16
11
34
10
Tilo Maguire / Toby Hutchins
9
7
10
26
11
Daniel Lawry / Jak Watson
15
11
0
26
12
Gary Moulds / Lewis Gray
12
12
0
24
13
Sam Osbaldiston / Harley Lloyd
0
22
0
22
14
Tony Murch / John Murch
0
8
12
20
15
Adam Field / Darren Bishop
10
6
0
16
16
Dan Foden / Ryan Humphrey
13
0
0
13