Crawford hoping for some club races
North motor sport with ZOE BURN
NORTH sidecar ace Lee Crawford hopes to be able to at least squeeze in a handful of club races this season following the cancellation of the FSRA British F2 Sidecar Championship.
Last week, FSRA chiefs took the tough decision to axe the 2020 season after consultations with the ACU and the hosting clubs, putting an end to any speculation as to when and if would get going this year.
It means the likes of Bishop Auckland Crawford – one of the British F2 Championship’s frontrunners and biggest names – can now plan alternative events should club racing be given the green light later this summer.
“I think it was the right thing to do, I was part of a virtual committee meeting with the FSRA last week and even though it’s frustrating, at least we now know that it isn’t happening so we can look at other avenues,” he told Burning Rubber.
“It can’t be helped, we’re in a situation none of us ever imagined possible and it’s the same for everyone. It’s been a shock to the system but you’ve got to look past the here and now and try and make plans for the future.”
The Covid-19 crisis couldn’t have come at worse time for Crawford. Along with his trusted and regular passenger Scott Hardie, this was going to be his biggest season to date.
As perhaps one of the tallest sidecar racers in the world, Crawford had embarked on a strict diet from late last year and had reached his optimum weight as he prepared to make his Isle of Man TT debut.
After success at last year’s Southern 100 and dominating the action at the Oliver’s Mount Gold Cup last September, he was all set to tackle his first TT this month along with continuing his short circuit charge with the British series.
“You couldn’t make it up, could you?” he chuckled. “I should be over on the island and getting ready for my first TT, but instead we’re all just wondering when we’ll get out again.
“I know it’s the same for everyone, I know there’s nothing we can do and there’s no point sitting around crying about it. You’ve got to just go with it and see what happens.
“I do hope we’ll have some sort of racing at some point. I know the clubs are keen to get running and everyone is raring to go, but it’s going to be different. Some people possibly won’t return, people may have lost sponsors, backing or even jobs.
“I don’t know if it will ever be the same, but for us we’re just trying to make sure we’re ready. It’s been seven months now since I was on a bike and it will be harder than usual when we get back – but it will be for everyone.
“We’ve just got to keep on, be ready to go if we get the nod and just make the most of it. We’re all missing it and as soon as we get the go ahead we’ll be back.”