o F S IDECAR C LUBS

The Federation of Sidecar Clubs (FoSC) exists to promote sidecarring as a fun and popular niche within motorcycling. Like other motorcycling organisations, we are keen to give our members a voice in all issues affecting motorcycling in general, and sidecars in particular.

FoSC Officers

Adam Fenton (Webmaster), Matt Little (Technical Officer), david Angel (President), John Hind (Chairman), John Askham (regalia), Barbara Jolliffe and Paul Chadwick (Vice Presidents), Stephen Wood (Outlook editor), Mike Buyers (Treasurer), Andrew ross (Membership Secretary).

Contact:

Membership Secretary ar@sealview.com www.sidecars.org.uk facebook.com/ FederationofSidecarClubs

People ride outfits for all sorts of reasons. Some because they want to take their kids or their dog along, or because they want to be able to travel with their partner in more comfort, with better weather protection than is possible on a solo. Some of our members travel alone but simply prefer the additional carrying capacity and the driving characteristics of a combination. No two outfits are the same and we welcome all riders and all styles of outfit. At Fed events you are likely to see some technically very advanced outfits, as well as classic combinations and all sorts of modifications to suit the style and requirements of the owner. Apart from our membership of the BMF, we are affiliated to NABD, as a sidecar is often a way of continuing motorcycling if the rider has disabilities.

The FoSC’s structure allows for both individual members and those of affiliated sidecar clubs. Most, but not all, of these are organised regionally and many of our local groups started way back in the 1950s. The Federation itself was formed in 1958 (and thus pre-dates the BMF!) at The Fox in Burwell, Cambridgeshire.

Clubs may organise events for their own members, as well as events to which all

Fed members are invited. Total membership is currently around 500 and is holding up well. Rallies, day meets and camping weekends are held throughout the year, even in the winter, with the premier event being the Annual Rally every August Bank Holiday.

We have a technical officer who can help members with fitting and handling questions and an archive of material about building sidecars and sourcing materials, accessories etc. We have always maintained close ties with the sidecar industry in the UK. Watsonian Sidecars of course are still active and David Angel of F2 Motorcycles (importer of Chang Jiang and Jawa) is our current President.

The Fed logo is a handshake across the globe and we have strong international links with sidecar clubs all over Europe, Japan, the USA and the Antipodes amongst other places, with an International Representative who fosters these contacts. There is a full-colour bi-monthly printed magazine Outlook and a website, which is currently being overhauled.

To find out more about FoSC membership, please contact the Membership Secretary Andrew Ross.