Bill had a much better season in 2008, albeit still with a few mechanical problems & a continuing intermittent mysterious misfire. He managed to win the Period 2 Sidecar Classic Club’s Championship in the UK and the Belgian Classic Period 2 Sidecar Championship with his regular Belgian passenger Bert Vloeman’s. Thanks again to Mick Gillott for his sponsorship.

The season started off with new passenger David Pendleton at Anglesey, a circuit he had not raced at before. Not a very successful outing, dreadful weather conditions, David fell out and the bike was really misfiring. However, they managed to get some points towards the Championship. Next meeting in May was at Mettet, Belgium. Bill & Bert had 2 good results, finishing 8th and 6th overall and 1st in their class. Later in May at Lydden, Bill with David Pendleton had a couple of 6th places overall, winning their class.

In early July, Bill raced at Donington Park with Tim Dixon in the chair, another extremely wet racing weekend with not very good results but a few more points. Later in July to Chimay, Belgium, which produced better results and exciting racing. Results were a 3rd and a 4th overall, which were a win and a 2nd in class. Early August was at Cadwell Park with Tim Dixon in the chair again, they were 4th overall and a win in their class. Late August was at Jehonville, Belgium with Bert. They were going really well in the 1st race but broke down 3 laps before the end, where they had very nearly caught the leader. The 2nd race they finished 2nd.

Then a week later on to Gedinne, Belgium where Bill & Bert finished 1st and 2nd. Due to mechanical problems during practice, they did not have official lap times so had to start from the back of the grid in both races. There were about 25 sidecars in each race, so they had to really fight to get to the front. September was at Snetterton with Debbie Salter as passenger. They finished 7th overall. Again atrocious weather conditions, which summed up the British racing calendar and summer!

In between race meetings, Bill put the bike on a Dyno and found that the jetting was wrong, causing the misfire!

Finally, Brands Hatch in October. Bert came over from Belgium to passenger. They finished 7th & 8th overall with 2 class wins, with a lot of the bigger class behind them in both races. Both Bill & Bert were very pleased, as the bike was performing really well.

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