Duns & Dusted for Wilkinson & Millard! 2024 British Sidecarcross Championship Round 3 – Race Report & Results

Round 3 of the Sidecarcross British Championship was held at Duns, Scotland. It was another weekend of sunshine, but some wind caused a dusty day! A new track layout this year, alongside great track preparation, means some good conditions, and we’re looking at some good days racing.

Report by Heidi Foden – Action Images by Jeff Primmer

A quick teams update: A few teams were not on the line this weekend. Unfortunately, #2 Dan Foden had no passenger. #24 George Kinge / Scott Grahame had a crash at the Polish GP in which Scott broke 2 vertebrae in his back – we hope for a speedy recovery and back behind the start gate at the next round. Jake Brown didn’t make it to Round 2 or 3, but he hopes to see him back again by Round 4. Jake Grahame has teamed up with Taylor Whitt. Stephen Mudie and Harley Mudie returned from injury after a crash at Round 1.

Qualifying

There were 21 Teams starting today. 10 minutes of free practice and 15 minutes of qualifying (based on lap times). Results: Wilkinson/Millard, Brown/Gray, Foyle/Wilkinson, Hodges/Henderson, Grahame/Lloyd, Mudie/Booth, Rogers/Beavis, Whitt/Grahame, Milliar/Curnow, Mudie/Mudie.

Race 1:

The first race was red-flagged after just a few corners due to a crash that involved a large number of teams, causing bikes and people to all over the track. Unfortunately Tony Grahame was taken to hospital, resulting in some broken ribs and a cut to his chin. Speedy Recovery to Tony and anybody else! Mudie/Mudie didn’t reach the line after bike issues from the crash.

After a break, Race 1 was restarted. Curious as to who would get the holeshot after Hodges took the holeshot in the previous first race… The gate dropped, and it was the #1 Wilkinson/Millard, Brown/Gray 2nd, Foyle/Wilkinson 3rd. Brown/Gray overtook Wilkinson/Millard, but there was no way Wilkinson was going to accept that, and swiftly took the lead back again! A great battle for 3rd in the first few laps between Foyle/Wilkinson and Hodges/Henderson, which left Hodges/Henderson swooping past, but Foyle didn’t let them go.

The Irish guys of Wilson/Rowen were high up in the places on the first laps. But behind them coming through was Mudie/Booth who then made their way up to 5th, having a great race. Milliar/Curnow made their way up to 6th. Wilson/Rowen fell to 7th. The young team of Rogers/Beavis had a great ride in 8th. Osbaldiston/Mckay 9th and Williams/Mckibben 10th.

Some great racing throughout the whole field in Race 1 and thankfully everyone finished the race!

Race 2:

A Dusty track meant for some tricky conditions.. who was going to take the lead in the first corner… They left the start line, and around the first corner was once again #1 Wilkinson/Millard, Hodges/Henderson 2nd, Brown/Gray 3rd. By the second corner, Brown/Gray was up to 2nd, and by the third corner, Mudie/Booth had got themselves into 3rd! Things were getting intense. Wilkinson/Millard took the lead with a comfortable gap, Brown/Gray in 2nd with a comfortable gap. But the race for 3rd was on, between Mudie/Booth and Hodges/Henderson, which didn’t even last a lap before Mudie/Booth stuffed their footrest into the ground, resulting in a crash!! Unfortunately they didn’t continue the race meaning Hodges/Henderson took 3rd, not too far behind in 4th was Foyle/Wilkinson, however they had quite a gap to close to fight for 3rd..

Rogers/Beavis had a flying race, fighting fit to get 5th. Osbaldiston/Mckay did a brilliant overtake on Milliar/Curnow, putting them in 6th and 7th. But from no where the young team of Whitt/Grahame were absolutely on fire, they came from mid pack, pushing through all the way to the end where they made their way past Milliar & Osbaldiston taking 6th! Putting Osbaldiston/Mckay 7th. Milliar/Curnow 8th. Williams/Mckibbin 9th and Wilson/Rowen 10th.

The podium had Wilkinson/Millard on the top, taking 1st overall. Brown/Gray 2nd overall and Hodges/Henderson 3rd Overall.

Once again, it was another exciting weekend full of carnage and great racing. We wish all injured parties a speedy recovery. We look forward to Round 4 -28th July Dean Moor- in which we hope all teams are on the line for another exciting weekend of Sidecarcross action.

Picture by Wayne Penford

Results