Sidecar star’s dismay as stopped race scuppers day

BEDLINGTON sidecar star Phil Bell was left disappointed yesterday when he scored two fourth places in the Hyundai Heavy Industries British Sidecar Championship races.

On what would have been his late uncle Ian’s 60th birthday, Bell and passenger Tony Belsey looked on course for a win in the opening race until it was stopped early due to oil on the track.

Having led the race before the red flag came out, he lined up on pole for the restart but brake issues meant he was unable to put up a serious fight, finishing fourth.

Back out for a second race later in the day, he started from sixth on the grid and managed to fight his way up to finish fourth once again.

“It’s been disappointing because I think had the first race not been stopped we could’ve won,” he said. “I love Knockhill, I’ve won lots of times here in the past and although it was slippery, I think we could’ve continued”

As Phil and his side of the Bell dynasty were up at Knockhill, Ian’s widow Trudy and son Carl were over at the Isle of Man where they released balloons on the start line at the Southern 100 circuit to mark Ian’s birthday, a year on since he was killed at the TT.