James Murphy
MOUNT Gambier sidecar racers Stephen Jones and Tyler Harris returned from the recent Formula 2 Australian Championships with a second place finish.
The duo geared up for the second round of the title at Tailem Bend and despite missing the first round of the two-part series, finished the championship in the top two of the country.
“It came as a bit of a surprise really,” Jones told The Border Watch.
“There were two rounds of the series, there was a round the week before at Eastern Creek in Sydney but we didn’t go to that.”
However, with impressive results at The Bend Motorsport Park, Jones and Harris were able to overtake those who had competed in both rounds.
The outcome was a silver trophy and plenty of excitement for the trip home.
“We didn’t realise until it was all over,” Jones said.
“We had packed up and a friend grabbed the trophies for us and I was a bit shocked.
“Then we worked out how it had all happened and we were over the moon.”
Jones credited their success to “smart” riding and they adapted to the conditions well throughout the weekend.
“The track was half wet and half dry,” Jones said.
“We made all the right choices which helped us to no end.
“We made the right choice with tyres and we tried a few different things which were not normal.”
Both the Formula 1’s (1000cc) and Formula 2’s (600cc) raced simultaneously, but despite the smaller engine Jones and his offsider found themselves at the pointy end of the pack.
“The reason we ended up with so many points was because we were finishing like sixth overall, but second in our class,” Jones said.
“We were beating a lot of the 1000cc machines as well.”
Jones and Harris currently lead the South Australian series and through state titles earned themselves qualification for the national event.
To add further sweetness to the result, much of Jones’ machine is manufactured by himself.
“I have built and designed a lot of the bike myself,” he said.
“The motor is just out of a crashed road bike, it has had nothing done to it.
“We have a stock-standard motor in there at the moment so I am currently getting a new motor built.
“We were aiming more for next year to get better results, so we got a gift a bit early I guess you could say.
“A lot of the guys are on bought equipment, so to have something you have designed and built yourself which is being competitive, it is quite a proud moment.”
Jones looked forward to what the future holds and hoped for continued improvement leading into 2024.
“We have made a lot of big progress this year and are going a lot better,” he said.
“Tyler Harris, my passenger, it is only his second season on the side.
“He is 18 and started last year with me and has picked it up really well.
“He has been doing a bit of manufacturing himself, he is an apprentice boiler maker.”
Jones is no stranger to success in a sidecar, having claimed the Australian honours in the past.
However, he said this time felt different as he was not expecting the second-place result.
“I am pleased with myself and obviously Tyler as well, we have worked hard for it,” he said.
Looking ahead the duo will finish off the last two rounds of the SA state series, with the first on their local track at McNamara Park in September.
The series will conclude at Mallala near Adelaide and Jones is hopeful they can hold onto the lead and take out the title.
