Alan and John are sidecar supremos

TROPHY haul . . . Alan Longshaw (left) and John Longbottom with their Yamaha Banshee and trophy collection

FINISHING second in this year’s Formula Sidecar Racing Association F350 Championship has been a mightily impressive achievement for Chadderton’s Alan Longshaw and passenger John Longbottom - given that both men are in their mid-sixties.

That’s on top of the fact that Hollinwood-based John - shortly to turn 65 - is registered disabled after suffering polio as a toddler!

Driver Alan, the 63-year-old proprietor of the Failsworth Scooters garage in Oldham Road, said: “John’s been fantastic considering what he’s had to put up with - he has a caliper on his leg and uses a wheelchair.

“I’ve only ever known him like that since we met, 40-odd years ago. He hass learned to adapt. He gets in and out of the sidecar okay and just sits straight really, rather than on his side like most of the other passengers.

“He still manages to use the top half of his body to lean in either direction, depending on which way we’re going round the bends.”

The pair have been a racing team for 10 years, starting with a 600cc bike before switching to the British Formula Two 350 championship six years ago.

The dedicated pair speed round tracks at up to 130mph - and after finishing third in the championship standings in 2012, came second this year.

“We’ve had some great races this year and we’ve come home with plenty of trophies and medals,” said Alan. “I really want to win the F350 title though. We’re getting closer, so I’m determined to win it next year.”

But it might not be: passenger John acknowledged that racing is getting more difficult

“I’ve had some fantastic races with Alan, and I’d love to get back in the sidecar next year, but maybe it is time to let someone a bit younger have a go,” he admitted. “I’ll sit down over the winter and have a good think about what to do.”