Ian’s Aussie Sidecar Story

Ian Milton is a name very well known in historic road racing in Queensland. He was racing solos, but the lure of sidecars drew him in and after 40 years he is still as passionate about them today.

We caught up with Ian at the 2025 Queensland Historic Titles, where three outfits he owns were helping make up the period 3 grid. Ian loves his historic machines, but recognises they belong on a track, and while he can’t race anymore there is no reason he can’t still enjoy the sights and sounds ofrace tracks.

This episode was recorded in the pits at the end of day one,we have left it raw and real, brain farts and all!

Clarissa Mitchell only ever wanted to race speedway sidecarswith her dad, and when she turned 16 he got her a race licence to do just that.

As he moved towards retiring he wanted to keep the familyracing journey going and got his son Stephen in the riders seat – much to Clarissa’s initial disgust. But the pairing worked and Wild Child Racing was born.

After many great years racing together a crash at Tamworth left Clarissa with injuries that took longer to heal than they should have, so her son jumped on the back in her place.

Tom Northey first got on a dirt track sidecar when he wasabout 18 years old, having grown up around them with his dad and uncles racing.

He would jump on with anyone who needed a passenger, he hastried both speedway and road, but is most comfortable on dirt. When he pairedup with Matt Davies 18 months ago they discovered it was a perfect match andhave been racking up the wins and titles since.

Tom shares with us some of the crazy moments he has hadwhile racing, we chat about the different tracks dirt trackers race on, howbusy their calendar can be and more.

Check out The Klavr Flat Track Pod

Peter Searle started racing sidecars in 1978 and hasn’tlooked back, even returning to the sport after almost two decades withoutstrapping his helmet on.

He currently races period 3 and period 6 road race outfits,and is the president of Queensland Early Motorcycle Sports Club.

Peter shares with us some highlights of his time in theriders seat, as well as giving an insight into what goes on behind the sceneswhen organising a race meeting.

In this episode of Aussie Sidecar Stories we catch up withKayla Dodds, a road race sidecar passenger from the Hunter region of New South Wales.

She shares how she got started racing sidecars, some of theadventures she has had on track, how she juggles racing with her son and family, and some of the goals she hopes to one day achieve.