SOME may think just getting on a motorbike is an achievement in itself for sidecar racer Ruth Laidlow.

Forced to call a halt to her career as a passenger for Martin Whittington after an horrific accident four years ago, Laidlow opted against hanging up her leathers and instead got behind the handlebars.

Now the 34-year-old mother-of-one from Masham in North Yorkshire and teammate Helen Sutherland have become the first all-female pairing to qualify for and finish the prestigious Isle of Man TT race.

Though some way off the pace in the Sidecar B event recently, Laidlow and Sutherland nevertheless did what many others couldn't in completing the daunting 38-mile race, coming in 49th out of 50 in one hour 19 minutes two seconds.

Now, after overcoming adversity and with her name etched into the history books, she is set on making a name for herself at circuits across Britain.

"I was a passenger with Martin Whittington and finished 12th overall in the world," explained Laidlow. "But I had a big crash in 2000 at a Grand Prix in South Africa. That put me out of being a passenger at that level. They nearly cut my leg off. I was over there for five weeks. I smashed my tibula, my fibula and my knee and damaged an artery."

However, far from being put off racing for life, Laidlow rededicated herself to the sport.

"I limp a bit but most people that ride sidecars limp a bit!" she said with a laugh. "And I have had things altered on the bike to enable me to change gear.

"If you want to do it you just get on and do it. I love racing and I've done this since 1999. I never thought I would end up driving but I've been lucky enough to have a go and things are going well and we are getting better and better."

Laidlow has been preparing for the TT for the last 18 months.

"Practice week was a bit of a disaster really, although we managed to get through and qualify for the B Race with a minute-and-a-half to spare which we were quite pleased with," she said, adding there was some pressure on her and Sutherland's shoulders.

"We did really well to qualify because 30 others didn't even manage that and we just had to get round because we had everyone counting on us to finish.

"It's the best road race in the world and it tests everything about your bike and yourself. It's not just a matter of getting round yourself, you have got to maintain your machine and ensure it can get round for an hour and ten minutes constantly flat out. It's so bumpy, it's untrue. That's one of the main differences I found from circuit racing to road racing, the bumps and the cambers."

Laidlow, who competes in the Northern and Scottish Championships, is aiming to compete in the British Championship next year and plans to be back in the Isle of Man as well. "It was the highlight so far for me as a driver and I just can't wait to go back next year and do even better," she said. "I'd just like to say thanks to all those that made it possible."

Published: 02/07/2004