Great Harwood sidecar racer shows off glittering prize room (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Great Harwood sidecar racer shows off glittering prize room

10:00am Tuesday 21st August 2012 in Sport

A CHAMPION sidecar racer has had such a glittering career that he is running out of space for all his trophies.

Dave Holden, 65, – who’s been racing for 34 years – has nearly 700 mementoes.

And his haul is so big he’s had to convert his attic into a trophy room!

He said: “There’s that many of them you lose count eventually. I’ve won a lot in my time, I’ve probably won about 60 championships alone.”

Dave started racing in 1978, and won his first award at Silloth, Cumbria, in 1981.

However, it is his British Championship and Isle of Man TT trophies that are amongst his favourites.

Dave has had seven sidecar riders over the years and his current partner is Heath Fairbrother.

Self-employed plumber Dave, of Lynfield Road, Great Harwood, clinched his latest trophy at the Ace of Aintree Sidecar Championship, earlier this month, winning the title for the 12 time.

In fact, he has had great success all year round, racking up 21 wins and four second place finishes in his last 25 races. Dave puts his success down to a number of factors, but attributes much of his success to looking after his bike.

He said: “There’s a lot of things really, it’s hard to say just one, but I think that definitely making sure your bike is right before each race is one of the keys to success.”

Despite being one of the oldest racers in the field, Dave said he has no intention of retiring just yet.

He said: “I still enjoy it, and I’m still winning. I won’t stop!”

He has been married 38 years to Josephine and has five children. None of his children have followed him into the support as they think it is ‘too dangerous’.

Dave has 10 grandchildren and his grandson Lewis Blackstock, 21, is about to follow his lead and move over from motorcross to road racing on a solo bike next month.

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