Sidecarcross 3099531 205965143 2008-04-16T06:15:16Z EA210269 5700498 link to Artis Rasmanis [[Image:July mx 2004 holeshot sidecar moto01 01 jamie clarke.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Holeshot]] of a Sidecarcross race]] '''Sidecar-Cross racing''', also known as '''Sidecar Motocross''', is very similar to regular, "solo" [[motocross]] but with a different type of [[motorcycle]] [[chassis]], and with a team of two people riding together instead of one, a "driver" and a "passenger". Several sidecar manufacturers (for example VMC and EML) in [[Europe]] make special chassis which, except for the engine, wheels, plastics, and other components from commonly available large-bore motocross bikes such as the [[Honda]] CR500, [[Kawasaki Heavy Industries|Kawasaki]] KX500, and large KTMs. There are also specialised monster-size 2-stroke engines such as the [[MTH Racing engines|MTH]] 630, and 700cc [[Zabel (engine)|Zabel]] which are made just for Sidecar Motocross racing. The Zabel and MTH are currently the top engines in the World Championship. HOCOB manufacturer of VMC chassis won the FIM award for the best manufacturer motocross sidecar 2007. ==Handling characteristics== [[Image:July mx 2004 no003 martin guilford and colin dunkley 01 jamie clarke.jpg|thumb|right|A [[Zabel (engine)|Zabel]] engined outfit.]] Sidecarcross is carried out in the same way as regular motocross on very the same tracks. Handling is different due to the sidecar. Thus the driver cannot lean over in the turns to overcome the centrifugal forces, instead, to make sure the sidecar does not flip over, the passenger leans out (of the sidecar) as much as possible in the corners. The passenger does much more physical work than the driver since they move their whole body around continuously. One of the most important aspects of sidecar racing is teamwork; the best sidecar teams in the world have been racing together for many years. ==World Wide Appeal== A '''[[Sidecarcross world championship|World championship]]''' is held over several rounds at top motocross venues, throughout Europe, with a season ending ''Sidecarcross des Nations''. The sport is extremely popular in Eastern Europe. There is a much smaller scene in [[North America]] and [[Australia]]. The most successful sidecarcrosser in history is the [[Netherlands|Dutchman]] [[Daniƫl Willemsen]], who has become worldchampion six times so far. The most successful team in history however is [[Kristers Sergis]] / [[Artis Rasmanis]], since Willemsen won his six titles with four different passengers. ==See also== * [[2007 Sidecarcross world championship]] * [[2008 Sidecarcross world championship]] ==External links== * [http://www.sidecarcross.com The Sidecar-Cross Racing Homepage] * [http://ozsidecarx.com.au/history.htm The Australian Sidecar-Cross Association Inc] * [http://sidecars.mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/ The British sidecar enduro association] [[Category:Motorcycle racing]] [[Category:Sidecarcross]] {{motorcycle-racing-stub}} {{motorsport-stub}} [[de:Sidecarcross]] [[nl:Zijspancross]]