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2008 ACU Pre 65 Sidecar TrialsBritish Champions
Rob and Andy rode to a fine 3rd place finish overall on Sunday 16th November in Oxfordshire to become the Sammy Miller Products Pre 65 Sidecar British Champions. The series was run over 9 rounds throughout the UK from Somerset to North Yorkshire. They contested all rounds claiming 2 wins, 2 seconds, 4 third place finishes. During the penultimate round the 1956 Ariel/AJS had a mechanical problem that caused Rob and Andy not to finish that event (the only one they failed to finish all year) this meant they had to re-furbish the engine with a complete & total rebuild. While the engine had to be removed from the chassis Rob went to town and stripped the outfit entirely having the chassis blasted and powder coated then fitted it back up using stainless steel fixings etc.
The final round arrived (16th Nov) and this one absolutely had to be finished in a 4th place or above so the pressure was really on after the outfit had been through its “major open heart surgery”. The first actual ride on the newly rebuilt outfit was from the rear of the van up to the starting position and being “flagged away” onto open country roads by the great man himself SAMMY MILLER. Each trial consists of one lap approximately 35 – 40 miles in distance using open roads so all outfits have to be fully road legal, there are 30-35 sections (special tests) to complete. It is not only a competition at each section but each team must “finish/complete each event” to gain a finish & any points. The 2008 season being only the teams second year riding sidecar trials & to win the championship was a marvellous achievement. Rob & Andy have one more event to contest this year at Swanley in Kent Nr BRANDS HATCH on 7th December and are both looking forward to 2009. They are consistently improving the sidecar to aid an even better assault for the coming 2009 season.
They would like to thank Supreme Motorcycles www.suprememotorcycles.co.uk , Wassell www.totalbikebits.com , Regina Chain www.reginachain.it & all who have helped them with the outfit plus other competitors namely Fish, Pedro, Andy A, Idris, Ali Haigh who have been fantastic & still prepared to give the team support, advice, help & assistance.
Final Standings: Rob Cameron/Andy Smith 134 John Young/Paul Young 128 Paul Fishlock/Debbie Merrell 110 |