Sidecarcross

Sidecarcross racing, also known as sidecar motocross, is a branch of . Regular motocross riders use solo machines, but a sidecarcross outfit has a different type of motorcycle chassis, operated by a team of two people, a driver and a sidecar passenger. The earliest articles appear to show that sidecarcross started in the UK in the 1930s.

Just as with road outfits, early sidecarcross outfits were little more than a solo bike with a sidecar attached to its frame by metal tubes. As the sport developed, sidecarcross outfits became more integrated, although most retained a tubular structure rather than a monocoque chassis. Sidecarcross outfit configuration tends to echo national road outfits, with the sidecar fitted to the "nearside": UK sidecars are on the left, and European ones are on the right. Once riders are used to one arrangement, they seem reluctant to adapt the other layout. Many sidecar outfits (particularly the heavier ones) have leading link swingarm front suspension, as conventional telescopic forks are less capable of absorbing the stresses incurred.

Several sidecar manufacturers (for example VMC, Bastech and EML) in Europe make special chassis, usually with corresponding shocks which, except for the engine, wheels, plastics, and other components from commonly available large-bore motocross bikes such as the Honda CR500, Kawasaki KX500, and large KTMs. There are also specialised "monster-size" 2-stroke engines such as the MTH 630, and 700cc 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.

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