2003 Sidecarcross World Championship
| 2003 Sidecarcross World Championship | |
|---|---|
| Season | |
| Grands Prix | 13 |
| Start date | 6 April 2003 |
| End date | 7 September 2003 |
| Drivers | |
| Champions |
 Daniël Willemsen
 Kaspars Stupelis
|
| Sidecarcross des Nations |
Netherlands |
| Chronology | |
| Previous season | Next season |
| 2002 | 2004 |
The 2003 FIM Sidecarcross World Championship, the 24th edition of the competition, started on 6 April and finished after thirteen race weekends on 7 September 2003.
The defending champions were the Latvian's Kristers Sergis and Artis Rasmanis who had won their fifth title in 2002. The 2003 championship was won by Dutch rider Daniël Willemsen and his Latvian passenger Kaspars Stupelis who finished 60 points ahead of the defending champion Sergis and his new passenger Sven Verbrugge in second place. It was the second title for Willemsen, having previously been crowned World Champions in 1999 and the first for Stupelis.
The Sidecarcross World Championship, first held in 1980 and organised by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme, is an annual competition. All races, manufacturers and the vast majority of riders in the competition being in and from Europe. Sidecarcross is similar to except that the teams consist of two riders, a driver and a passenger. Races are held on the same tracks as solo motocross but the handling of the machines differs as sidecars don't lean. The majority of physical work in the sport is carried out by the passenger, who speeds up the sidecarcross in corners by leaning out. The coordination between the driver and the passenger are therefore of highest importance.
The thirteen races of the season were held in nine countries, Spain, France (twice), Netherlands (2x), Romania, Bulgaria, Latvia (2x), Estonia, Germany (2x) and Belgium. In comparison to the 2002 edition, the Grand Prix of Sweden and Czech Republic had been dropped off the calendar while the Spanish and Romanian GP were added.
Events typically consist of a qualifying competition, held in multiple stages on Saturdays of a race weekend while the two race events are typically held on Sundays. One exception to this rule is Easter weekends, when the races are held on Easter Monday. Race weekends can consist of additional motocross or quart support races as well, but the FIM stipulates that the World Championship races have priority. Riders have to be provided with at least one 30 minute free practice season, which will be timed. A race can consist of up to 30 starters and the qualifying modus is dependent on the number of entries. With up to 32 entries, it will be held in one group split into two sessions of 30 minutes each. Above 32 entries, the starter field will be sub-divided into two groups through ballot and the current standings. Each qualifying group can consist of up to 30 racers. Should there be more than 60 entries, a pre-qualifying has to be held. Of the riders in the two groups, the top twelve directly qualify for the races. The remaining teams then go to a second-chance qualifying, in which the best six advance. The riders placed seventh and eighth remain in reserve should one of the qualified teams not be able to participate.
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