SPEED DEMONS! (From Warrington Guardian)

SPEED DEMONS!

ON his last outing sidecar racer Roger Stockton was thrown 150 metres down the track after a 140mph crash.

Amazingly he and teammate Pete Alton survived with only a few scratches and bruised egos, but his ambition remains unscathed.

The fearless Wistonian lorry driver has set his sights on competing for the British title within three years after a flying start to the new season, which has seen his OTC Racing partnership storm to the front in the Darley Moor Championship.

A life-long motor racing fan, he started competing in 1997 with Nantwich rider Stephen Ward, winning 15 trophies in their first season before Stephen quit last year and the new team was formed.

"In our last race we were battling for the lead and flipped the bike over," said Roger.

"We were very lucky not to break anything and although I still have a few aches it won't slow us down or affect us too much."

Roger and Pete were originally due to focus on the Wirral 100 competition this year, but have altered the shape of their season after 10 points from their first two races thrust them into the lead last month.

Success has also spurred them on to compete in the highly dangerous Isle of Man TT race, which has the unfortunate reputation for regular fatalities, and has caused a slight shift in Roger's brave facade.

"I wasn't pleased about the idea at first, but I'm looking forward to it now and I feel quite confident of taking it on," he said.

"You can't go there and ride the circuit like a normal race track. You have to be within your limits rather than on them, because on a track you can come off and get away with it whereas there you can't.

"I think the highest level we could achieve would be British National Champions and at the moment that's quite a jump. But we are hoping to win a championship this year, then bridge the gap next year and go the whole hog the year after.

"Although to do that we need sponsors. We have a few at the moment but a new bike costs around £12,000, so we need help."

Anyone interested in sponsoring the pair can contact Roger Stockton on 01270 584579.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.