REMEMBERING WARREN MONSON

(Speedway Illustrated News Editor’s note: This news platform extends its deepest sympathy to the family and friends of title winning Sidecar rider Warren Monson. His passing some days ago occurred while our website was “down” with technical issues, however out of respect for this very popular man on the national sidecar scene, we wish to run the following statements. Thanks to our very dedicated SA correspondent Mark Neale for his assistance with this article – and also photographer Judy Mackay.)

Motorcycling Australia (MA) and the wider Australian motorcycling community are deeply saddened by the passing of Warren Monson, a legend in the world of speedway Sidecar racing and an accomplished and highly respected ASBK race engineer/mechanic. Monson passed away on Sunday, April 23, following an incident at Heathcote Dragway.

Monson’s love for motorcycling began at the Mildura Motorcycle Club, where he was a proud member. He was a true old-school craftsman and a talented rider, building and racing his own bikes, keeping his Sidecar outfit at his parents’ house in Mildura.

Monson’s passion for racing led him to become involved in various categories from speedway to dry lake racing and road racing, where he worked as a race engineer and mechanic for multiple ASBK Champions. Monson was well-known for his expert work with Shawn Giles, Troy Herfoss, Josh Waters, Markus Chiodo and especially Wayne Maxwell, whom he followed from Suzuki to Yamaha.

Monson’s talent and dedication were reflected in his achievements in speedway sidecar where he raced with several passengers throughout his career including Matt Morgan, Scott Cameron, Deven Gates, Marty Underwood and Andrew Summerhayes. He won the FIM World Cup and FIM Oceania Championship in Speedway Sidecar in 2017 and 2019, respectively. He was a record-holding nine-time Victorian champion and a track record holder at Olympic Park, Mildura. Just for something different (and a new challenge!) Monson competed at Speed Week 2023 with the Dry Lakes Racers Australia, where he received his 200mph cap on his Suzuki Hayabusa. Despite his many incredible achievements, Monson never won an Australian Speedway Sidecar Championship, which he admitted was an odd career incongruity..!

We at MA extend our heartfelt condolences to Monson’s family, friends, race colleagues and loved ones during this difficult time. Warren Monson’s legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of the motorcycling community, and he will be sorely missed.

MARK NEALE PROVIDES STATS ON WARREN MONSON’S CAREER:

9 X Victorian Champion

2 X FIM World Cup Champion

2 X Oceania Champion

3 X Aust Champ RUNNER UP 2015 19,21

3 X Aust Champ Third Place 2003,17,23

1 X Aust Champ Fourth place 2022

Ridden in18 X Australian Sidecar Championships

A STATEMENT FROM MILDURA MOTORCYCLE CLUB:

RIP: Warren Monson

“Words can’t describe the sadness of the news we have been dealt today.

“We have lost our greatest ever Sidecar racer today in Warren Monson

“The Mildura Motorcycle Club is in shock of Wazza’s passing and we send our sincere condolences to the Monson Family.

“Olympic Park Speedway will not be the same without the orange bike with the number 43 on the side and the Big Bang engine screaming down the straights like poetry in motion and at one with the Olympic Park shale – 9 Times Victorian Champion and track record holder at Olympic Park Speedway.

STATEMENT FROM PHIL TAINTON RACING:

“As most of you will now be aware we tragically lost Warren (wazza) Monson last Sunday (April 23) at the Heathcote Dragway.

“Warren has been an integral part of PTR for the past 20 years both in the workshop and at the race track as a technician for some of the best riders in the country. Not to mention the long list of Warrens achievements with Full Noize Racing on the Speedway a true Champion.

“I could go on forever about how technically clever Warren was and how good he was at dyno tuning & he continually fixed all the unfixable motorcycles that ended up in our workshop and I have a huge customer data base that would testify to Warren’s miracle work.

“Warren will be sadly missed by all that knew him. For Lynne & myself, we have lost a very dear friend as well as the most loyal & dedicated irreplaceable employee one could ever hope to work with, Warren was like a son to us and helped us through some difficult times coming to the rescue whenever needed.

“Our condolences and thoughts are with Theresa & Jazz, Warren’s father Trevor and his Mother Carolyne, as well as all his close Family and Friends & everyone involved in Full Noize Racing.

“R.I.P. Wazza and thank you for everything you have done for PTR, Lynne & myself, you will be in our hearts forever my friend and never to be forgotten. We Love you Wazz.”