Warwick sidecar racer gets in the swing of it
AFTER competing in drag racing, cricket and representing Queensland in junior squash, Barry Martin has found his dream sport - sidecar racing.
"I swapped a road bike for a sidecar to get into the sport," Martin said.
He has only been competing for a year and races at Morgan Park Raceway in Warwick and Carnell Raceway in Stanthorpe.
This season, Gold Coast motorcycling enthusiast Ryan Munns has been the swinger/passenger on his bike.
Martin said sidecar racing was a two-man job.
"It is 50% the rider and 50% the swinger," Martin said.
At the weekend, he estimated his speed reached 140mph, which was enough to record second overall behind Sydney driver Matt Brown.
Martin said his sidecar number - triple one (111) - meant three times the fun.
"It gets a bit hot before we start racing," he said.
"Seven laps is definitely enough."
Motorcycle Sportsmen of Queensland race secretary Sheralyn McGlinchey said the sidecars were a hoot.
"They had 19 turn up to have a go at swinging on Saturday afternoon, including Wayne McConachy's 78-year-old mother," she said.
"The club has booked nine weekends of racing at Morgan Park next year."
The final meeting for 2012 was supported by 64 riders.
