Sidecar legend retires

British sidecar legend, Steve Webster M.B.E., has announced his immediate retirement from the sport after 25 years and 10 world championship titles.

His retirement was announced amid emotional scenes at Assen on Sunday, September 4, 2005, following a race which saw them retire after two laps due to injuries sustained by passenger Paul Woodhead during qualifying.

Webster began racing at the age of 19 at Elvington Airfield circuit, near York in 1980. His first World title came in 1987 with passenger Tony Hewitt. The pair added more titles in 1988 and 1989. Gavin Simmons then took to the passenger chair to take another title in 1991. IN 1997, 1998 and 1999, David James partnered Webster to more title.

And in 2000, current passenger Paul Woodhead helped take the title yet again, followed by further titles in 2003 and 2004. The final title makes Webster the only FIM world champion to win ten road racing World titles in one class.

“I’ve had a fanstatic career but it just feels right to stop now. No-one can go on forever. I had a couple of months off due to illness and I found out I didn;t miss it anymore. Everyone has to stop sometime, and that time for me, at 45, is now,” said Webster.

“I’ve had a great team around me over the years, and it is that close teamwork that has given us the success. There are many people who all do a little bit behind the scenes and all that work adds up to win the Championships…thanks to all of you. It’s been a truly great time and it’s lasted for 25 years. it was something I started doing as a hobby, and I’ve managed to make it a profession – what more could I have wanted?”

The statistics of Websters career include:

181 World Championship races entered.

62 World Championship race wins.

126 World Championship rostrums

10 World Titles.

1 European Championship

7 British national titles.

31 Consecutive pole positions at World Championship races.

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