By David Miller
Isle of Man sidecar hero Steve Norbury has been killed in a crash in Germany. We have no official word on what happened. Passenger Rick Long is in hospital with suspected broken legs.
The pair were competing in the German F1 Sidecar Championship at Hockenheim.
Our thoughts are with Steve’s family.
Gerd Prilipp, who was at Hockenheim with his son, witnessed the crash and got in touch with us via email. He said: “We were sitting in the grandstand above the Sachs Curve. Steve came into the motodrome very quickly and at the braking point, the rear wheel locked.
“At the same moment, the sidecar broke sideways and Steve had no chance of catching it. He had nowhere to go and went across the gravel and into the tyre wall.
“One of the two was thrown clear of the sidecar as it went two metres in the air. The stewards were on the scene immediately and straightaway called for medical staff.
“Another rider with a beautiful outfit (who we believe was World Champion Tim Reeves – DM) stopped and tried to help but there was nothing he could do, so he returned to the paddock.
“After around 15 minutes, the doctors called for the riders to be put in the ambulances to be taken to the helicopter. I think the passenger lifted his head to see how his friend was, which got a round of applause from the audience.
“After the re-started race was finished, none of the riders opened the Champagne on the podium. I would like to pass on my condolences to the family and friends of Steve Norbury and his friend in the boat to get well soon.”
Our condolences to the friends and family of Steve, and heal soon Rick… you have lots of sidecar family who will tend to you as you recover.
~ Mike & Sarah
I Have been a sidecar fan for 30 years. i have competed off road events during the seventies and eighties. i have followed road and track racing always.
In 2007 i was fortunate enough to have a ride on Steves sidecar at the “day of champions” at donnington. as with all sidecar people it was like one big family, and he and his wife were happy to give me one of his race suits to use for the ride.
He had the most vibrant personality that was immediate and could tell striaght off he was a liked man…
I am so sorry he has gone.. but hey he’ll still be racing somewhere.
Loxley