Sidecar teams and sidecars have come to AHRMA events from the corners of the globe, including New Zealand, Scotland, the UK, Canada and the USA.

Each team of two can be comprised of a man or woman as pilot and a man or a woman as copilot making each team unique.  In addition, it’s not unusual to see teams of a father-son combination, father-daughter, husband-wife, brother-brother, sister-sister, etc. having the thrill of their life!  Sidecar is the only wheeled sport where two people steer the vehicle. The Pilot by the handle bars the Co-Pilot by weight transfer.

Sidecar Racing Mission Statement

AHRMA’s mission is to preserve the rich and full history of the golden era of Sidecar road racing by maintaining a venue to showcase the types of road racing Sidecar outfits that made the sport an integral part of the historic Grand Prix experience and showcase types of sidecars which have historically been under-represented in modern road racing.

About AHRMA Sidecar Racing

AHRMA is the premier sidecar organization in North America, and since 2004 Sidecar has been one of the fastest growing and most exciting classes on the track.  In 2023 so far, well over 50 sidecar teams have raced with AHRMA, across 22 races from coast to coast.

AHRMA Academy of Roadracing |  Sidecar Racing School

Information regarding race registration rates, entry deadlines and more can be found on the Schedules & Results page.  For other valuable information go to the Forms and Information page

  • It is important for the Team to work in unison in order to navigate the turns of the track. In many ways it’s Ballet on a moving vehicle.
  • It’s very physical work particularly for the passenger,  a strong body core is essential.
  • A low center of gravity and balance is necessary for proper cornering.

Vintage Sidecar Racing Classes

  • In the Vintage classes, you will see both left and right-side chairs.  Right side chairs favor left hand turns (counterclockwise tracks), and the opposite for the left side chairs.
  • With mixed chair outfits on the track, you will see a lot of passing as the speed changes dramatically between left- and right-hand corners.
  • “Skinny” tires, Dunlop Sidecar Racing Tyres, on the vintage rigs equate to drifting and sliding. They look a bit like snow tires and are excellent on both dry and wet tracks.
  • Most frames are tubular steel and either are completely custom or adaptation of exiting motorcycle frames.  They all explore the owner’s personal needs, expression and desire to compete on the track.

Vintage Sidecar Racing Classes include:

  • BEARS – Big Wheel Sidecar – minimum 17-inch wheel requirement. The rigs are based on BEARS class motorcycles with relatively stock components and no streamlining.
  • SC1 Vintage Sidecar – Vintage front–exit outfits built prior to 1968.  Engines are air-cooled; 2-stroke up to 350cc, and 4-stroke to 650cc. Wheels must be spoked and at least 15 inches and tires can be no wider than 4.5 inches.
  • SC2 Super Vintage Sidecar – By far the most popular sidecar class. These are Vintage front–exit outfits built up to 1972.  Engines are air-cooled; 2-stroke up to 500cc, and 4-stroke to 750cc.  Popular examples include the BMW R75 750cc, Yamaha XS650, and Moto Guzzi 750cc powered rigs.  Like SC1, these rigs run the “Skinny” tires.
  • SC3 Lost Era Sidecars – Front or rear exit outfits built up to 1977.  2-stroke engines to 550cc, and 4-stroke to 864cc.
  • SC4 Formula Classic Sidecars – Front or rear exit outfits built up to 1981. A variety of powerplants up to 1300cc.

Modern Sidecar Racing Classes

  • The Modern classes run sleek, aerodynamic fairings with modern engines 600cc and 1000cc 4-stroke and 750 -900 cc 2-strokes.
  • The outfits are purpose built with their skeletal frame made from Tubing or Sheet Steel, or even exotic materials such as Carbon Fiber and Titanium and resemble a modern race car more than a motorcycle.

Modern Sidecar Racing Classes include

  • US F1 – Long wheelbase, 1000cc powerplant.
  • US F2 – Short wheelbase, 1000cc powerplant.
  • TT1– Long wheelbase, 600cc powerplant, FIM rules.
  • TT2– Short wheelbase, 600cc powerplant, FIM rules.