Sidecars: Payne and Rousseau extend French championship lead

Wednesday, 31 May 2023 13:50

But latest success likely to be their last round in the current series

Manx sidecar racer Harry Payne and teammate Kevin Rousseau have extended their advantage in the French Sidecar Championship following the third round of the series.

Both travelled to the south of France last weekend for the latest stage of the competition and secured a place on the front row in second in qualifying, despite it being Payne's first visit to the circuit.

Payne and Rousseau would go on to take top spot in the first race, also setting the fastest lap of the contest, before repeating that achievement in the eight-lap race the following day on the Sunday (28 May).

In the main 16-lap event on the Sunday they also took the lead but issues with the gear shift system saw them lose time to eventually have to settle for second at the chequered flag.

Payne and Rousseau have now built up a 38-point lead in the championship following their weekend performance.

However, Payne says it's likely this will be their last round in the series as they look to focus on the World Championship, adding 'unfortunately we just don't have the financial backing to do both'.

But Payne also went on to say they are still looking at the possibility of continuing in both in the long-term.

Sidecars: Payne and Rousseau extend French championship lead

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