Brothers in arms
Above: The Reeves brothers on track
Above: On the podium
Above: Cornering at Lydden Hill
Ask any motorcyclist what they think the most exciting form of 'bike sport is, and most would immediately answer sidecar racing. The sight of drivers fighting wheel-to-wheel at speeds of up to 150 mph, while their passengers lean out less than an inch from the tarmac to balance the outfit, is an incredible spectacle.
Kent's two racing circuits, Brands Hatch and Lydden, have a long history of supporting top-class sidecar competition, but no locally based competitors have made their mark at world level. Until now, that is.
Bravery and dedication
Tenterden-born brothers, Tim and Tristan Reeves, have combined bravery, dedication and teamwork to propel them to the pinnacle of the World Championship, and they show every sign of staying there.
Since making their debut eight years ago, their rise to the top has been relentless and, in 2006, they won their second consecutive world title with a dominant display of nine wins from 16 rounds. So, what keeps them at the top of this exciting, colourful, but demanding sport?
For Tim, the driver, and Tristan, his passenger, sidecar racing has always been a family affair. Their father raced, and it was inevitable that the brothers would take up the sport. They made their competition debut in 1999 at Brands Hatch, using a Krauser (a Yamaha derivative)-powered outfit.
Although neither can remember exactly where they finished, they were hooked, and the Kent circuit soon witnessed their first win, two meetings later. From then on, the pairing raced regularly, gaining experience and climbing the British rankings, before moving up to world championship level - then called the Sidecar World Cup - in 2004.
Tim kneels in two trays moulded into the bodywork
Undaunted by the higher pace of international racing, they finished second in the series, and won the world title the following year. As if to stamp their authority on the championship, the brothers dominated proceedings in 2006. They took pole position for every race except one, and secured their second title in Croatia with one round to go.
"It was an ideal season," says Tim. "We had a 30 kilogram weight penalty on the outfit for most of the year, and still won against very tough opposition."
The World Championship involves a six-month long haul around Europe, with three races at each round - a three-lap sprint, then a 10-lap and a 20-lap 'Gold' race. Each round requires a week away from home, which means Tim and Tristan live out of their transporter, a specially converted articulated lorry.
Professional racers
Holding down a full-time job is not feasible, so both brothers work part-time in the winter months while being professional racers during the season. This means that sponsorship is all-important. They have backing from Eastern Airways, and support from other companies, but a season is not cheap. "Last year, it cost us about £100,000 to do the championship, and we feel lucky to have got away with that," says Tim.
The main expense is the sidecar outfit itself. The Reeves' Swiss-made, LCR machine is a far cry from the original 'platform strapped to a motorcycle' concept. It incorporates many ideas from the car racing world, including a monocoque chassis.
Remove the all-enveloping bodywork, and all that remains is a carbon-fibre platform, onto which are mounted the handlebar / throttle, engine and fuel tank, wheels, suspension and brakes.
Power comes from a 1000cc Suzuki engine
There is no driver's seat; instead, Tim kneels in two shaped trays moulded into the bodywork. Power comes from a 1000cc Suzuki engine which is tuned to give power right through the rev range, rather than pure top speed.
Driving quickly requires a specific technique, according to Tim. "You need the correct balance between 'drift and drive'. There is a point where you are drifting sideways at the same time as going forward. It took me a while to get it right, and really it's all down to practice and experience."
If the driver's life seems difficult, then the passenger's is doubly so. His basic position is crouched on a platform approximately two feet square. The area is dominated by a large chrome grab handle, which Tristan clings onto throughout each race.
"The passenger's job is to balance the outfit, because it is inherently unstable. It's like a car with a front wheel missing," he explained. "On right-hand bends, I have to hang over the rear wheel, to increase traction and prevent the wheel from lifting. On left-handers, I need to keep my weight behind the sidecar wheel to prevent it coming off the floor. If I didn't do this, in extreme cases, the sidecar would overturn."
Quick praise
Tim is quick to praise the part his brother plays in their teamwork. "Tristan is currently regarded as the best passenger in the world. He is so nimble that you would never know he is there, but I could never get round corners without him."
Although they have dominated the sport recently, there might be a glimmer of hope for their rivals this season. The long-standing partnership will be broken as Tristan sits out the year to support his wife after the birth of their first child.
Despite the upheaval so close to the new campaign, Tim has made a good start with his new passenger, Stuart Graham, from Lisburn in Northern Ireland. They dominated the first round of the British Sidecar Championship, winning both races at the ultra-fast Snetterton circuit in Norfolk.
"Naturally, I will miss Tristan, but Stuart is experienced, and we've already formed a sound partnership," says Tim. Graham, an 11-year veteran of sidecar racing, is equally upbeat: "This is the opportunity of a lifetime, to partner the reigning world champion. Replacing Tristan will be tough, but I'm up for it."
On 10 June, Reeves and Graham have the chance to show their skills to a home audience, as the World Sidecar Championship comes to Brands Hatch. "It's a wonderful opportunity to showcase the sport" says Tim.
"2007 will be a hard season because any one of six crews could win the title. But I'm confident of beating them, especially on home ground."
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