Godzilla the Sidecar and the Worm from the bottom of the Tequilla Bottle
GODZILLA and THE WORM
Well, it was 8 years ago this month (January-04) that Godzilla came to be.....
For those who don't know what I'm referring to, Godzilla was the first sidecar Jean-Guy every built...
During one particularly cold (what else is new) and snowy January night in '96, the McKinstry's (currently run #123 Vintage sidecar) were visiting . I was up at the house with Debbie; Peter and Jean-Guy were in the shop (where else???) doing whatever you guys do in shops, when their combined imaginations took hold and a chalk outline of a vintage sidecar appeared on the shop floor. Was this AFTER they consumed the worm (destiny?!)at the bottom of the Tequila bottle, or BEFORE....I'll never know for sure....
Our very first exposure to Sidecar Racing was at Calgary in 1976 when Jean-Guy and his boss 'Oz' borrowed a street sidecar outfit from their dealership to fill in the grid at a race meet. The idea was to start the race, then Jean-Guy was to pull in after a lap. Well he didn't, and the crowds were on their feet when they crossed the finish in 3rd place and Jean-Guy lost his job....no, just kidding, but the boss sure had to change his underwear!!
Jean-Guy was bitten with the sidecar bug.....he also got a ride on a outfit and raced one season at Westwood, B.C. Then in 1980, he became a passenger on a TZ750 rig in South Africa, and won the Championship that year!!
So, when Pete and Jean-Guy got together that night with this bright idea, I wasn't the least bit surprised.....
Who would have thought that this 'newbie' vintage sidecar racing team, on a first time home built outfit, would do so well??? Well, Jean-Guy sure knows which way a throttle works, throw in a 6'2" 230lbs passenger (that's Pete) and Jean-Guy soon found out he could get away with a lot out there!! Pete's head, doubled in size with a helmet on, was an issue though a couple of time and Jean-Guy managed to run over it once coming out of the hairpin at Shubie, while Pete was still actually ON the sidecar.....mmmm; then there was that time at Mosport when Jean-Guy couldn't figure out the loss of power up the back straight. Turns out, the sidecar lost at least 5hp whenever Pete lifted up his noggin (for no apparent reason but to see where they were), so Jean-Guy was often seen pushing Pete's face into the platform, with a handful of throttle in the other!! Then there was another time at Loudon, when Jean-Guy and Pete pulled into the pits with Peter, lying on his back on the platform writhing in pain. Something to do with Jean-Guy chopping the throttle, mid corner and Pete's hip connecting with the track surface. Pete and Jean-Guy did'nt talk to each other for about 1/2 hour after that one. In reality, Pete sure was a great partner to have! One time, during a race on approach to corner 8 at Mosport, Pete held off another sidecar WITH HIS HAND!! Imagine that!
I guess Jean-Guy thought I would enjoy racing a sidecar outfit too, so he built another one, using a Honda 450. At first, I had a hard time with that 3rd wheel sticking (I've ridden solo ++ years) and knocked over a few garbage cans in the pits and run over a few toes I'm told (me???) but I had fun...but what I really wanted to do was to go faster, and it was sadly obvious that I couldn't do it myself and after watching Jean-Guy and Pete's escapades, becoming a passenger for Jean-Guy was NOT an option....unless....
My 'need for speed' wishes were answered, when Jean-Guy sold both Godzilla (to Pete) and my 450 to a team in New Hampshire, and in 199 bought our first short wheel based 'modern' outfit...OK I'M THERE AND WE'RE A TEAM!! First time out testing at Shannonville, as I sat with a paper bag over my face hyperventilating barely under control, Jean-Guy took out two other prospective passengers....none other than Chris Chappel (he couldn't do it), then our own Li'tle Guy Steve Brown.....(he couldn't do it either - but he does now!!)...So with renewed determination (must've been a gal vs guy thing for me) and some good advise from, then "Sidecar Guru" Big Bob Garbutt, I gave it another try and did'nt it just get better and better each time out....one season later, Jean-Guy has ideas of his own, and has begun to develop and fabricate his own chassis.
To me, nothing beats the feeling of swinging out on a fast left hand corner, carefully balanced, gliding over the track.......no communication necessary here.....we each have our jobs to do and when it comes together, it sure is a trip! We've had our 'moments'......including once at Gingerman when I leaned the wrong way into a corner...I've never before or since seen a F1 chair wheel go so high - thanks to Jean-Guy's skillful driving, he saved that one. Taught me to keep my eyes forward, and to look where the track is!!!
As I am writing this out,Jean-Guy is in the shop along with a fellow sidecar racer Pierre, going over some fine tuning and set up on Pierre's long wheel base. Alongside Pierre's is Jean-Guy's Championship CSR outfit and on another bench is the beginning of yet another CSR chassis for a new racing team this year, which Jean-Guy has been commissioned to build.
Our involvement in sidecar racing has taken us to tracks such as Laguna Seca (MY favorite), and Road America.This year will see us back at R.A. and we'll also be racing at the newly built Barber Racetrack in Alabama to race with the sidecar teams from the West Coast! I am looking forward to visiting the Motorcycle Museum situated at this brand new GP track, not to mention taking in a few 'sighting' laps in too!!
Little did we know that Jean-Guy would go on to develop such a successful and affordable design in sidecar racing chassis. His goal is to see larger grids and more people enjoying this sport. To achieve this, we feel that chassis need to be more accessable for people who want to race sidecars - Jean-Guy loves building and fabricating and will carry on doing this to help build the sport AND satisfy his annual mid-January craving to create!
Mmmmm I wonder what's next??
See you all at the track!
Christine & Jean-Guy
January 2004