World champs ultimate bucket list for father and son

FATHER AND SON: Mauriceville's Matthew, left, and Derek Ramsay look forward to competing in the Speedway Sidecar 1000cc World Cup in Adelaide.

Not many people can say their favourite father-son bonding activity is taking them to an international motorcycle sporting championship.

Mauriceville man Derek Ramsay and 17-year-old son Matthew have been selected to compete in the Speedway Sidecar 1000cc World Cup in March.

Selected for their success at various New Zealand competitions, the Ramsays are one of four top New Zealand teams travelling to Adelaide to compete against the highest performing teams from Australia, the US and the UK.

In sidecar racing, a rider and passenger manoeuvre a 1000cc, 180 horsepower motorcycle at high speeds over four laps of an oval track.

As the bikes have no brakes, it is up to the passenger or "swinger" to move their weight forwards, backwards and sideways to help control traction.

The potential for injuries is high in such a high octane sport - Matthew is currently nursing several painful grazes and Derek once tore his bicep muscle while racing - and competing is tough on the bank account.

But there are few places Derek would rather be with his youngest child than hurtling along a dirt road at 130km/h.

"It's the ultimate bucket list item: going to the world champs in my sport, with my son.

"I'm bloody stoked to have been chosen, and to share it with Matthew -- except he's been giving me bruises from thumping me on the back when we win."

Derek was introduced to the sport in 2006, when friend Tony Hislop asked if he wanted to ride in the sidecar of his new bike.

"I loved it. I was a bit worried about hurting myself, but I thought 'I'll deal with that if it happens'".

Derek later invested in his first methanol-powered bike and, with Tony as swinger, began competing at the New Zealand Sidecar Grand Prix and New Zealand Sidecar Championships, clinching three third place titles in the latter competition.

Matthew soon inherited his dad's passion, joining him as swinger when he turned 16.

Father and son have since emerged as a formidable force on the track, placing third in the Burt Murno Challenge, winning several Grand Prix events, and recently shaving four seconds off the previous Grand Prix record at Western Springs.

In fact, they now race with a handicap, having to start from further back.

"It's no fun for spectators if one bike's in front the whole time," Matthew said. In speedway, timing and precision are crucial for avoiding collisions.

As matter-of-fact Matthew puts it, "there are a lot of crashes".

"Or else you can get tipped off, or go over the handlebars," Derek added. "You have to judge perfectly, otherwise you're straight into the wall."

Both Ramsays are looking forward to their trip to Australia, though Derek confesses it's a costly outing, with having to modify his bike to international competition standards, installing a dirt deflector and steering damper to stabilise the bike if hit from the side. Plus, they will be racing in temperatures of up to 42C.

"It'll be interesting as the Australians tend to be more aggressive and treat it as a contact sport. But, either way, we'll be going hard or going home."

Derek said he is grateful for sponsors Provincial Insurance and Diesel and Turbo, daughter Virginia for being on hand to refuel and change tires, and wife Francine for her support.