MOTORSPORT: A new sidecar racing team are about to begin their career with eyes firmly set on the World Superside Championship.

Mark Spencer and Dominic Cann, both from Bewdley, have linked up in Team Spencer Racing.

And despite not riding a sidecar until June this year, they are already improving lap times and are pushing the class record at Mallory Park after a few practice sessions.

Spencer, 33, has a wealth of motorsport knowledge as most of his family have competed since the 1960s.

Father Rae and brother Alvar won many races before the latter was forced to quit through injury, while other brother Terry made a career from racing motorbikes, beating opponents like Mike Hailwood.

Spencer bought a rare machine from Weston-Super-Mare which was handbuilt by former British F350 champion George Hardwick.

Cann, who joined the team after answering an internet advert, said: "There are only two in the world and each one took several thousand hours to build.

"The engine is based on Yamaha's TZ250 race motor with barrels and pistons manufactured in the Midlands to George's specification.

"In 1998 and 1999 the sidecar was driven by eight-times World Champion Steve Webster at the Mallory Park Festival of Sidecars and it won."

Promising racer Cann, 25, has won many club and national races but never competed in a full season since his debut in 1998 when he finished fourth in the National Honda 500cc Championship.

Team Spencer Racing will be in action at Mallory Park, Leicestershire, on Sunday.