After a long summer stuck watching sport with no wheels, we finally got the chance to load the trailer and head up to The Bend, about an hour south-east of Adelaide, for our first race meeting of 2024.

Round one of the combined South Australian and Victorian Road Racing Championships also played host to the first Australian Sidecar Championship round for 2024, bringing great competition from across the Country.

Having pit garages full of eager sidecar teams was a great opportunity to mix and mingle with others involved in racing, take on new advice and debrief with a smile after each session. With large fields, every team had another matched up on similar lap times, making the racing exciting for all.

The late summer heat had continued with temperatures into the 30’s over the three days, although it was better than the previous week’s 40 degree-plus heatwave! Still, both Royce and Leonard were feeling it in the afternoons, going through plenty of water and staying put in front of the pedestal fans.

Friday’s practice saw us get out five times to hone some new suspension, then it was straight into qualifying and race one on Saturday. After some great dicing with other F2 machines, and a couple F1s making their way past us, we held onto third for our class. Sunday’s two races took a similar turn, moving around positions in the opening few laps before securing third in both.

Being the first round, this places us third in the National F2 Championship and second in the SA Combined Sidecar Championship. We now have a slight break in the national calendar for a few months, with a couple practices and SA rounds approaching fast!

After cracking a celebratory Guinness in Locky’s ear for St Pat’s Day, Royce had this to say:

“After about eight or so months since being at The Bend, we were pretty keen to apply some of the knowledge we had learned from the past few races.”

“Catching up with some friends we made last year, the yarns were flowing in the pits nearly as much as the water in the hot Tailem Bend weather. With the sidecar feeling much more manageable after changing the shocks we could properly start figuring out suspension set up.

“We’re starting to really pick up the pace, but we’re also still trying to figure out how to keep the outfit planted coming out of corners instead of pushing wide. But we are dropping heaps in lap time since we were out last, showing us that we are on the right track.”

“To be third in the Australian titles after less than a year’s experience on the bike, next to some very tough completion, I’m very happy with our efforts. Thanks heaps to all that helped in the pits, Leonard for delivering consistent swinging and I’m very much looking forward to getting out for some more practice before our next race.”

After fainting when realising what four beers at the Bend bar costs at trophy presentations, Leonard came to and said:

“Although it had been a few months between rides, we got straight back into the hang of things and I tried to take on advice from a few other passengers on where to be, when.”

“With Royce changing race lines and braking markers, I had to prepare myself for a few quick moves but overall, it felt much smoother with the new shocks. It was especially helpful having some great competition to follow and given the longer straight, have a moment to reset.

“I’m pretty stoked to be sitting where we are in the championship, so hopefully we can just keep improving times – just wish we could go back out to The Bend for more laps!

“Thanks to everyone who all helped over the weekend and in the lead up. The biggest thanks goes to all the interstate competitors who made the effort in a long journey over to SA for the meeting – we wouldn’t have a sidecar series to race in if it wasn’t for the great numbers!”