Stourbridge Sport

Kirks hope to star in sidecar

10:00am Saturday 28th January 2012

FOR Mike and Martin Kirk, racing is very much a family affair.

The father-and-son duo from Stourbridge are hoping to make waves in the sport of side-car racing as they prepare for their first season in the BMCRC club championship.

Son Martin is the driver of their 1000cc machine with Northampton-based Paul McCardle his passenger, while dad Mike is manager of their MK Racing team which is run from his Trinity Road home.

Despite it being their first season in the club championships, Mike has high hopes for success.

He said: “We are hoping to at least get into the top 10, if not the top five.

“The goal eventually is to qualify for the full British Championships which is run by British Superbikes.

“That would see us racing on the support races for the Superbikes championship.”

After a lengthy career in motorbikes, Mike made the jump to side-cars in 2007 with Martin joining him as passenger, eventually becoming driver when his dad decided to call it a day in 2010.

The team’s Suzuki side-car weighs 225kg and can go from 0 to 60 in three seconds, with a top speed of 160mph.

The first event is North Gloucester Road Racing Club’s meet at Brands Hatch on March 17, while they return to the same venue for the first round of the BMCRC in April.

While many see side-car racing as a niche sport, for Mike the attraction is clear.

He added: “There’s no greater thrill than travelling at 160mph with your head just 65 centimetres off the ground.

“The speed perspective is much more intense than you get on a bike.

“There is a real team-work element — the passenger and the driver have to be in the right place at the right time.”

For more information visit mkracing58.com

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