Nine-time sidecar World Champion Steve Webster MBE gets his 2004 UEM European Championship campaign under way tomorrow in Italy.

The venue is the 3.222km Vallelunga circuit near Rome.

The race will be the opener of the seven-race series that takes in visits to Hungary, Croatia, Czech Republic, Sweden, Holland, Germany and Spain en-route.

"Even after racing around Europe for over 20 years, we can still find new places to go to," said Easing-wold speedster Webster, reflecting on his first visit to the Italian circuit.

Passenger Paul Woodhead may offer some tips though. "I've never been there, but Paul raced there a few years back before he started with me," said Webster.

"He's told me it's a bit 'Cadwell-ish' - tight, twisty and bumpy.

"I'm sure he'll be able to shed further light on the drive down there, but we go there having to learn it and then work out a set-up for the gearing, tyres and suspension.

"It's the same for the others of course, and we've got practice sessions - one yesterday and two today - to get up to race speed."

With no World Championship this year, Freeman of York Webster is keen to support this new series.

"The sport needs a premier title, and this is the one for this year," he said. "Even though we're also doing all the British Championship rounds, we're going to do as many of this series as possible even though there are date clashes.

"It's important we support these championships while the sport is in this position, and it'll help those that are negotiating for the return of World Championship racing to see the commitment is there."

Tomorrow's race will be run over 20 laps and sees the beginning of a busy period for the Team Castrol Suzuki duo.

After this weekend's trip, there is a charge back across Europe to get to Mondello Park near Dublin next weekend, followed by another trans-Euorpean dash the following weekend to Hungary.

Webster said: "We've got quite a few thousand motorway miles to do in the next three weeks - it's going to be hectic, but then we've got a bit of a breather for a couple of weeks.

"But after all the hassles we've had over the winter, it's going to be great just to get out on the track."

Webster's traditional rivals Klaus Klaffenbock and Jorg Steinhausen are not entering this series, but World Championship rostrum regulars Tom Hanks and Phil Biggs are, and they will present Webster's main challenge, while a good showing is also expected from Team M&M brothers Tim and Tristan Reeves, who are using Webster's 2003 World Championship-winning LCR Suzuki outfit, purchased at the final round in Magny Cours last year.

UEM Sidecar Championship dates

May 15 - Vallelunga, Italy; May 29 - Hungaroring, Hungary; July 10 - Most, CZ; August 7 - Anderstorp, Sweden; Sept 5 - Assen, Holland; Sept 19 - Schleiz Germany; October 9 - Cartagena Spain.

Updated: 10:08 Saturday, May 15, 2004