BLOG | sideburn

Ray Tauscher: Portland's World Champ

Jan 12

Ray Tauscher: Portland's World Champ

Ray Tauscher (Tauser in the international press) is America's forgotten world champion. In the years between the wars he left his home in Portland, OR, to race speedway in Australia and Europe winning the major races, including a world championship. Portland filmmakers Ned and Michael Thanhouser heard the story of the late racer, found recently discovered footage they say is of Ray at his height, and gained permission from his surviving family to scour his scrapbooks to form

Redcar Dirt Track & Speedway Snaps

Oct 2, 2020

Redcar Dirt Track & Speedway Snaps

Because every DTRA race event has been cancelled this year, and I couldn't/didn't want to travel out of the country to race, this year's dirt track riding had been limited to a couple of practice days at Greenfield. When the DTRA's Amman Valley round was cancelled at the last minute (due to you know what) a few UK riders committed to going to Krowdrace at Parchim in East Germany. I was told about the chance to race a lot closer to home, at a small meeting shared with a speedw

Rye House '46

Jul 1, 2020

Rye House '46

'Normal peace-time jobs seem a bit slow...' Dirt track/speedway from 1946, immediately post-war. Lots of handsome JAP speedway iron and girder forks being ridden by former military despatch riders. This news 'feature' was filmed to be shown in British cinemas among the news and other entertainment features of the week and before a feature film. Next to no one would have a TV set, so this was the only way to see 'moving' news. The action takes place at Rye House, a track nort

The $181,000 Speedway Bike

Jan 26, 2020

The $181,000 Speedway Bike

Yes, this rare Harley speedway bikes fetched over $180 grand at the recent Mecum Auction in Las Vegas. This is what the Mecum site said about this 1935 Harley-Davidson Works CAC Joe Patreli was quite possibly the best American motorcycle racer in the first half of the 1900s. Petrali was setting records on the board tracks, dirt tracks and hill climbs. In addition to setting a one-mile land speed record of 136.183 MPH on a specially built and streamlined Harley-Davidson in Mar

Sideburn 20: Back in Stock

Oct 3, 2019

Sideburn 20: Back in Stock

We found a few of these that we put in a box because they were slight seconds, either because they had very slightly bent corners or bent spines. This issue has been sold out a while, so there might be people out there who want them and don't mind about a bit of 'shelf-soiling.' This issue was originally released in 2015 BUY SIDEBURN 20 This is what's in it: COVER STAR: Drake McElroy and Honda CRF450 BIKES: Baer Racing KTM 1000 GNC racer; Honda CRF450 cafe motard; Maico Mega

The People Of The Dust

Mar 26, 2019

The People Of The Dust

Our Hungarian friend, and occasional contributor, Peter Guld has presented a film about speedway that is in the running for an international award. Watch the short film, then vote for it under the category 'BEST RITUALS FILM' in the black box on the side. You don't have to sign up, but you're sent an email to confirm your vote. Simple. Follow this link - People of the Dust (A POR NÉPE) #Speedway #Hungary #Film

Sideburn 36: Pre-Order

Mar 11, 2019

Sideburn 36: Pre-Order

The new issue will arrive later this week, subs orders will be sent out ASAP after arrival. If you're not a subscriber you can either subscribe now, or pre-order to have your magazine out in the first delivery. We have two alternative covers. All subscribers will get the cover above. We've also had to raise the cover price for the first time since 2015. Sorry. PRE-ORDER SIDEBURN 36 NOW or SUBSCRIBE TO SIDEBURN Here's what's in the latest issue... COVER 1: Toshiyuki 'Cheetah'

Jawa Type 890 Blueprint

Jan 18, 2019

Jawa Type 890 Blueprint

We have expanded our offering of blueprints to include the era-defining Jawa 500. The bike that revolutionised speedway. Blueprint by Mick Ofield for Sideburn 34. Portrait White paper, acid-free, smooth, highly calendered 285gsm. 100% Alpha Cellulose base. Printed with Epson Ultrachrome Pigment inks. 40x30cm (15.75 x 11.8in). Designed to look great in an off-the-shelf frame. £23 plus postage NOTE: If you order more than one blueprint, please pay at checkout and we will re

Chris Harris - Tougher Than a $2 Steak

Sideburn 34: Out Now

Aug 31, 2018

Sideburn 34: Out Now

We venture into the deserts of California, Mexico and South Africa to test the mettle of our contributors. Old bikes are ridden not hidden, and inappropriate machinery is raced through 1000 miles of wilderness proving the adage that it's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog. SB34 also features McQueen's very own Huskie; a new regular column from Death Spray Custom, an interview with the toughest woman in flat track; follow a group of fe

Roundabout GP

Blue Peter Speedway Race

Jun 3, 2017

Blue Peter Speedway Race

Back when there were only three TV channels in the UK, and even then they turned off before midnight and some didn't show anything during the day, Blue Peter was one of the few shows actually made for children. Because of this, the presenters were household names, for young and old, in a way no kids presenter is now. John Noakes and Peter Purves were as famous as George Best or Roger Moore. Even Noakes' dog, Shep, was known to 90% of the UK's populace. Noakes passed away this

1

2 3