Father-son racers formidable force in Oz

VICTORY LAP: Derek and Matthew Ramsay, Mauriceville, at the opening of the Speedway Sidecar 1000cc World Cup. PHOTO: Judy McKay

Sixth in the world for sidecar racing -- not bad for "a couple of guys from out the back of Eketahuna", says Derek Ramsay.

Derek and son Matthew, 17, based in Mauriceville, have not long returned from the Speedway Sidecar 1000cc World Cup, held in South Australia in March. The Ramsays, competing as a team at New Zealand sidecar events for a year, raced in both the World Championships and two Oceania Sidecar Championship rounds, against the top performing teams from Australia, Great Britain, the US and New Zealand.

At the World Champs, the Wairarapa team placed sixth overall. While they missed out on a place in the top four, both Ramsays were pleased with their first World Cup performance -- battling dirt interference, searing heat and mechanical issues to place highly in their races and compete in two finals.

"It's pretty good -- sixth out the 16 fastest in the world," Derek said. "It hit me when Matt comes running up, and says 'Dad! We got sixth in the world' and gives me a bear hug. I almost popped a tear -- it was pretty emotional."

Derek and Matthew arrived at Gillman, Adelaide on March 18, where they met the other teams and competed in practice races at the Gillman Speedway.

They later competed in the heats for the World Champs and progressed to the B Final, coming third.

Following was the first round of the Oceania competition, with the Ramsays placing eighth -- held back by problems with their bike's clutch.

"It's pretty rapid racing, so you don't have time to change your clutch between races," Derek said.

The pair fared better at the second round, held at Undera in Victoria, winning several heats, and again making the B Final (the only Kiwis to do so), and placing third.

"Both Ramsays agree their first overseas outing was a "big learning curve".

They were racing in tough conditions, coping with 35C temperatures, and scuffed dirt hampering their vision.

"When you're going that fast, the dirt sprays at you like water from a fire hose," Derek said.

Plus, the competition was stiff -- particularly the Australians with their "gruntier" bikes and aggressive tactics. Derek said, in one of the races, one of the teams had them pinned up against the side barrier with their bike, forcing them to make a quick recovery.

"Those guys can play dirty. They want to win at all costs, and they have no problems nudging you out of the way."

However, they were thrilled to meet World Champion Darrin Treloar -- who they almost caught up to during a heat.

"I think he was pretty impressed we nearly passed him," Matthew said. "We were over the moon."

The Ramsays are taking a break now racing season has finished, but will begin training intensively later in the year.

"We're going back for a spot on that podium," Derek said.