Rob’s Racing History

 

From a motorcycle family background Rob’s grandfather was a Works Triumph and Works Dunelt factory Sand Racer,

Rob’s grandfathers Works Dunelt engines were sent out to Germany at the time to be tuned by the then Worlds number one tuner.

 

Rob got his first motorcycle at 4 years old, this was a copy of his Championship winning father Mike’s grasstrack sidecar, it was fitted with a little 125cc J.A.P. Rob’s father won many National championships and was right up until he retired from racing in 1991 a top 3 finisher.

 

Rob although competing in a few schoolboy trials events did not start competitive racing until 18 years of age. This was with a BSA 250 grasstrack solo, he quickly progressed onto an “on loan”  500cc Weslake grasstrack bike in the same season and was lucky enough to be noticed by the Godden factory boss; Don Godden, he was supplied a Full Works 500cc Godden for the following season direct from the factory. He went on to win the South England Championship and continued racing solo grass until 1989 when he dislocated his left knee and ultimately ended a promising solo career.

 

 

Rob always said that he wished that this incident broke his leg and he would have been able to carry on racing solo when it repaired.

 

At this time, Mike (Robs father) was still a top UK grasstrack sidecar contender and he also had his season cut short with an accident, it was at this point Rob not being able to ride in the solo class “borrowed” his fathers competitive sidecar and entered the last 4 races, the first being South England Championships. Rob finished 4th overall, second event and a National saw a 3rd place finish. The next event was at the time the largest and most famous grasstrack meeting in the UK “The Sidecar Burn-up” held in Kent at a boarded purpose built track. Rob finished an incredible 2nd position much to the amazement of a lot of other competitors.

 

Rob continued to race sidecar Speedway and Grasstrack until 92’.

 

Road racing started late in 1994 with an old Jacobs chassis fitted with a Honda 600cc motor. The chassis was much outdated but in immaculate condition, this did not stop Rob entering the British Championship Series in 1995. Many top ten finishes during this season earned Rob a lot of respect from the more established teams with far more competitive outfits.

 

For 1996 Rob purchased more up to date equipment and this helped with results and an entry at the Isle of Man TT where he gained 16th position and the fastest newcomer’s lap. He raced the IOM TT for another 3 years. British Championship wins and lap records followed until a new challenge was needed.

 

For 2001 Rob went directly into the top sidecar GP class and entered the World Championships. There was a sense of de ja vou as the LCR sidecar that was to be used was somewhat “out of date” for the first season. Top ten finishes with a best of 4th place at Assen and 6 superpole qualifications from 10 rounds arrived in the first season. For the following year 2002 the team we supported with a newer LCR chassis, more top ten finishes followed but to enable a win at this level was financially impossible so it was decided to contest limited races in 2003 and then sell the outfit after.

 

Robs last World Championship races were Imola and France in 2003.

The current BMW classic sidecar raced by Rob and Andy today was purchased late 2005.