Mick Walker - leading authority on all forms of motorcycle sport - sets out to cover the world's leading sidecar competitors, in no less than 26 chapters. Plus the usual trademark boxed-sections covering several other notable sidecar competitors. "Sidecar Champions" is the ninth in a series which sets out to cover the world's leading motorcycle competitors. It is also the first to cover more than a single personality in one book. It has also been the most difficult project that author Mick Walker has undertaken during what is now over a quarter of a century of writing. There are no less than 26 chapters, plus his usual trademark boxed-sections covering several other notable sidecar competitors. It was also a subject which he had wanted to cover for many, many years, because he had always thought that the sidecar boys (and a few girls!) seemed to get a raw deal, both with the organisers and the press, when in actual fact the sidecar event was often the highlight of a days racing and were generally loved by spectators. Once the motorcycle had become firmly established, the next question was how could it carry more people? The earliest examples of the 'sidecar' arrived just after the turn of the 20th century, and by 1903 a couple of firms were already offering them for sale. Most sidecar bodies during these pioneering days were of wicker work construction, mainly in an attempt to keep weight to a bare minimum. Racing and record breaking with sidecars began during the period immediately following the end of World War One. And manufacturers saw this as an ideal way of promoting their products. Record breaking was particularly popular during the 1920s, with venues in several countries including Montlhery (France) and Brooklands being by far the most popular. The first sidecar world records in the 350cc category were established in 1922 by Cyril Pullin at Brooklands, piloting a Douglas outfit. In fact, as we will see, Douglas was also a pioneer in sidecar racing. Learn all about the history of sidecars racing and its competitors from the beginning in Mick Walkers latest book.

Mick Walker is acknowledged as one of the world's leading motorcycle authorities. In a career which has spanned half a century, he has written over 120 books and curated several exhibitions. He has also been a successful racer, tuner, team manager and talent scout. In 1998 he was involved in The Art of the Motorcycle exhibition at the Guggenheim Museum in New York. He has been involved in virtually every aspect of the motorcycle industry - even acting as the British importer for several Italian marques, including Ducati, Moto Guzzi and Cagiva. During the 1980s he was editor of Motorcycle Enthusiast magazine, and in 1999 Ducati presented him with a lifetime achievement award, the first of its kind ever made. In 2010 Mick was made president of the Italian Motorcycle Owners Club.