In This sport, It Pays to Monkey Around
By Johnny McDonald

Driver, Steve Stull (yellow chassis) with passenger AJ Rosensky of San Diego at the Infineon Raceway, Napa Valley, CA. Photo Courtesy of the Sidecar Racers Association

Motorcycle sidecar racing is a sport where you really monkey around.

In this case, a man who's called a monkey rides an extended plank, sometimes inches off the pavement. And, Steven Stull of Warner Springs can tell you his riding success depends on the scrambling passenger.

Stull's human monkey has been a Pacific Beach fellow known only as AJ, but he's been out of action by injuries from a street bike accident. Unable to find a reliable monkey, Stull says the season has been a bust.

"Tough, because it took two years to train him," he said. "It's such a finesse thing to do correctly. When he comes back we'll see how he holds up.

"He's called a monkey because he never sits still (on the extended platform) while traveling 150 to 160 miles an hour on a road course," explained Stull.

"The passenger is moving right to left, while bracing himself in a wedge with his hands and legs...balancing the rig through the corners," Stull said. "He actually steers the vehicle by sliding the back end around.

"He moves all over from the rear tire to the platform on the left. It's important to get the right traction on the front and rear tires.

"He gets so low, we have to put Velcro on his leathers on his left hip and buttocks area. So, when he goes up against the pavement he doesn't ruin his leathers."

Stull knows what it's like, having filled in as a monkey a time or two.

"The first time out, you are kinda scared," admitted the 45-year old. "Soon, things start happening faster than you anticipate.

"As you develop skills in going faster, there's a misconception that things are going slower. It becomes a transition of movement and timing. Like a slow motion dance."

As the driver, though, he said steering and braking are backward, and cornering is much different.

He and friend Leon Van Orsdale travel a great deal to pursue competition and to entertain. Leon has been involved since the mid '70s, while Stull started four years ago.

The sidecars are pretty much a supporting act, which included a performance on a NASCAR program at Sears Point. Stull said overseas (England, France and Germany) it takes on the form of Formula One racing, and is a major attraction.

"When we first come out on the track we are sort of ignored," he said. "But once we go around, there is a positive attitude. Then, we put on a nice show for them."