For Big Al! Nora MX Sidecarcross Championship Finale – Race Report, Results and Standings

This Nora Championship event was hosted by the Nora MX team at the West Meon track in Hampshire. This was round 7 for the sidecars, but Round 10 for the Quads, and the final Nora event of the season.

Report and Images by Tracy Thacker.

The weather was great for the time of the year, mostly dry, hot and sunny with a few drizzle showers in the morning, although the track was quite boggy from recent rain.

To send a message of condolence to the Grahame family and friends at the sad and untimely loss of motorsport legend Alan Grahame, there was a Sidecar memorial Lap for everyone to show their respects. It was proceeded with a “rev-up” on the line by the full sidecar class and was led by Alan’s son Tony – very emotional for all who were there to witness – but also a time to remember Alan, a friend to everyone in the sidecar family.

The sidecars are split into two classes, with just Stuart Brown / Josh Chamberlain in the GP class, racing without collecting any championship points. Everyone else was contesting the “Sidecar National Open Berkshire Cycles Championship”. At the start of the day Jack Etheridge / Jim Kinge held the championship lead just 13 points ahead of Sam Osbaldiston / Harley Lloyd, but Sam was absent after the birth of his first child. Sam and Chelsie have a healthy son named Ozzy – Congratulations to them both.

In race 1 Tony Grahame / Ryan Henderson took the holeshot and an early lead from Stuart Brown / Josh Chamberlain, but they were on a charge and blasted into the lead on lap one going on to take the win. Jack Etheridge / Jim Kinge held third with Tony Grahame / Ryan Henderson fighting through to fourth and closing the gap but didn’t find a way past. Behind Lee Foyle with the help of stand in passenger Dan Chamberlain had a safe race in fifth. Matthew Connor / Jake Grahame worked hard to take sixth just ahead of Tony Murch / John Murch.

In Race 2 Stuart Brown / Josh Chamberlain took the holeshot going on to take a second win. Tony Murch / John Murch had a great start and held second with Jack Etheridge / Jim Kinge third, but they blasted past to hold second but there were more challenges from behind. Lee Foyle / Dan Chamberlain were proving a formidable pair and kept pushing until they found a way into second, Tony Grahame / Ryan Henderson were close behind with Tony Grahame / Ryan Henderson joining the three way battle. Tony Murch / John Murch did well to hold fifth with Matthew Connor / Jake Grahame closing in on them but had to settle for sixth. Jack Etheridge / Jim Kinge seemed to get the wheels clogged with the sticky mud which slowed them considerably but held seventh, all points counting toward the championship title.

In the final sidecar race Stuart Brown / Josh Chamberlain took the lead from Tony Grahame / Ryan Henderson. There was a crash on bend one with Tony Murch / John Murch and Paul Pelling / Jack Wilkinson getting delayed and started from the back, although Jack Wilkinson was almost awarded special points for the artistic content of his airborne acrobatics. Lee Foyle / Dan Chamberlain tucked into third with Jack Etheridge / Jim Kinge fourth but fighting hard to find a way past. Behind Matthew Connor / Jake Grahame battled with Rob Oldfield / Faye Barnes for fifth place.

Tony Grahame/ Liam Hodges took the overall championship win, a fitting tribute that Tony dedicated to his Dad.

Lee Foyle / Dan Chamberlain took second overall just ahead of Jack Etheridge / Jim Kinge, but that was enough points for them to take the championship win.

Results

Final Standings