Bell bids to stage a title challenge

Jan 17 2010 by Zoe Burn, Sunday Sun

BEDLINGTON sidecar sensation Phil Bell is finally able to plan the year ahead after a three-month search for a new passenger.

Bell, 31, endured a tough 2009 campaign after a season dogged with passenger troubles.

But after a one-off outing with Chester-le-Street’s Tony Belsey in September where he won the prestigious Jock Taylor race at Knockhill, he managed to secure the services of Kent’s Ashley Hawes for the very last round of the British Championship. Together the pair were able to seal third overall.

Bell (right) is thrilled to have landed Hawes for the full 2010 season and is now putting all of his efforts into winning the new Battle of Britain F1 Sidecar Championship.

“Ash is a really good passenger and it’s great that I’ve been able to get him for the season,” Bell told Burning Rubber last week.

“It’s been a bit of a worrying time for me because I have been looking all over for someone I felt was reliable and able to commit to a full season in the British Championship. I was actually starting to get a bit anxious about it.

“But my experience with Ash tells me he’s the perfect man for the job. We worked well together last year and now I’ve finally managed to get it all sorted out it means I can concentrate on getting the outfit ready for when the new season starts.”