Drama at Taupō: Barry Smith Secures P2 in New Zealand Sidecar Championship Finale

The 2025–26 New Zealand Sidecar Championship has come to a close, with Barry Smith and the Carl Cox Motorsport sidecar team securing second overall in the championship.

It was a season defined by speed, resilience and no shortage of drama. Across the year the Carl Cox Motorsport sidecar team proved they had the pace to run at the front of the field, collecting race wins and consistently fighting for podiums.

But the final rounds of the championship would test the entire team more than any results sheet could show.

The season finale at Taupō ultimately became a story about determination, teamwork and finishing the year on a high despite the challenges thrown their way.

Hampton Downs Drama

The Taupō finale came just one week after a major incident at Hampton Downs, where passenger Dave Smith was thrown from the sidecar during Race 1 of the previous round.

On the final lap, a small positioning mistake through the final sequence of corners caused Dave to lose grip of the handhold, sending him from the machine at speed.

Photo Credit: ASP – Aaron Staples Photography

Dave later explained the moment.

“Unfortunately after making a mistake between the last left and final right corner on the last lap of race one, I was wrongly positioned and lost grip of a handhold.

Obviously I am devastated but also very happy that Barry did not sustain any injuries through my inaccuracy and nobody else was involved.”

The incident left Dave with a number of injuries, including two fractured fingers, a fractured vertebra and heavy bruising, but thankfully the outcome could have been far worse.

“Fortunately I managed to get away from the accident very lightly.
I dislocated and fractured one finger, fractured another, fractured one vertebra and got some bruises.

I am very thankful to the marshals, all the medical staff and the organisers for their help and support.”

With the injuries placing him on the restricted riders list, Dave was unable to ride in the final championship round.

Instead, he remained part of the team from the paddock.

 

“Unfortunately the injuries mean that I have been placed on the restricted riders list and will have to miss riding in the last round of the championship.

I would like to apologise to the whole team, all the sponsors and my family for causing this situation and look forward to supporting the team at the races this coming weekend.”

 

A Symbolic Return to Taupō

With Dave sidelined, Barry lined up for the Taupō finale with Louise Blythe returning to the sidecar, creating a full-circle moment for the team after the pair had also opened the season together at the same circuit.

Photo Credit: ASP – Aaron Staples Photography

It created a nice sense of symmetry for the season. Barry and Louise had already raced together earlier in the summer during the Suzuki International Series, and now they would finish the NZSBK championship sidecar season together at Taupō.

Friday’s practice sessions went smoothly, with the bike immediately showing strong pace. Confidence was high enough that when rain arrived Saturday morning, the team opted to skip the wet practice session, satisfied with the progress already made.

Qualifying confirmed their pace with P2 on the grid, putting them firmly in the fight heading into the races.

Chaos on Saturday

Saturday’s opening race quickly turned into one of the most dramatic moments of the weekend.

After a strong launch from the grid and a drag race into the first corner, the race was red-flagged following an incident elsewhere in the field.

The restart came quickly and tensions were high.

Photo Credit: ASP – Aaron Staples Photography

During the restarted race another competitor’s bike suddenly cut out mid-corner, leaving Barry with nowhere to go. Contact followed, and although Barry managed to continue briefly in the Carl Cox Motorsport sidecar, the impact caused significant damage.

Bodywork began coming loose down the straight and when the sidecar’s wheel guard detached, the team had no option but to retire.

The result was a DNF, and with it a major blow to their championship hopes.

A Late-Night Rebuild

Back in the pits the focus immediately shifted to repairs.

The bike had taken heavy cosmetic damage but, crucially, the chassis remained intact. With the championship still alive mathematically, the team worked late into the evening to rebuild the machine.

Fibreglass repairs, aluminium fabrication, and plenty of duct tape eventually brought the sidecar back together.

Work continued until around 9pm, with the final pieces completed the following morning before the team rolled back onto the grid.

It was a classic paddock moment. Competitors helping competitors, tools and parts shared, everyone determined to get the bike back out racing.

Fighting Back on Sunday

Sunday’s approach was simple: avoid first-corner chaos and let race pace do the work.

Rather than forcing the start, Barry and Louise focused on a clean opening lap before working forward through the field.

In the eight-lap feature race the plan worked perfectly. They gradually moved into the lead and controlled the race for much of the distance.

Late in the race tyre wear began to take effect, allowing another team through and leaving the Smith pairing to finish P2.

The championship was still mathematically within reach depending on the results around them.

The final race of the championship delivered the moment the team had been chasing all weekend.

Barry and Louise produced a commanding ride to win the final race of the season, pulling clear of the field and ending the year on the top step of the podium.

When the points were finalised, Barry Smith and the Carl Cox Motorsport sidecar team secured 2nd overall in the New Zealand Superbike Championship (NZSBK) Sidecar Championship.

Given the injuries, mechanical issues, multiple passenger changes and the drama of the final rounds, the result reflected the strength of the entire team.

Photo Credit: ASP – Aaron Staples Photography

A Season of Highs and Lows

Reflecting on the year, Barry Smith summed up the journey:

“It was a season with many highs, but obviously with a few lows included. Despite that, we managed to clinch second in the championship.

Many thanks to Carl and Carl Cox Motorsport for their continued backing this season, and here’s hoping for a great year next year.”

Looking Ahead

Despite the setbacks in the final rounds, Barry Smith and the Carl Cox Motorsport sidecar team once again showed why they remain one of the most competitive outfits on the New Zealand sidecar grid.

The season delivered race wins, late-night rebuilds, and a championship fight that went down to the final round.

Second overall may not have been the number one plate the team was chasing, but it reflects a season built on resilience, teamwork and outright pace.

And if this season proved anything, it’s that the Carl Cox Motorsport sidecar team will be back on the grid ready to fight again.