Steve Curtis (born 30 January 1964) is a British former professional sidecar racer, widely recognized for his achievements in the FIM Sidecar World Championship. Over a career spanning the late 1980s through the early 2000s, Curtis secured multiple world titles, establishing himself as one of the sport’s most successful competitors.
Early life and career
Born in the United Kingdom, Curtis entered competitive motorcycle racing in the mid‑1980s, initially competing in solo categories before transitioning to sidecar competition. He partnered with various passengers (also known as “co‑riders”), the most notable being his long‑term collaboration with Australian passenger Mick Barnes.
World Championship successes
Curtis’s prominence rose with his first FIM Sidecar World Championship title in 1994, riding a Yamaha-powered sidecar with passenger Mick Barnes. He subsequently claimed additional world titles in 1995, 1997, 1998, and 2000, often piloting Yamaha, Honda, and later the more powerful Yamaha YZF-R1-based machines. His 1995 season was particularly dominant, winning 13 of 15 Grand Prix races.
National competition and other achievements
In addition to his international success, Curtis amassed numerous British national sidecar championships. He also competed in the Isle of Man TT, achieving several podium finishes in the sidecar category. Curtis retired from full‑time competition in the early 2000s but remains involved in the sport through coaching, commentary, and occasional historic racing appearances.
Legacy
Steve Curtis is frequently cited in sidecar racing histories as a benchmark for consistency, technical skill, and the development of sidecar engineering. His record of five world championships places him among the most decorated sidecar racers in the history of the sport.