EASINGWOLD sidecar ace Steve Webster's hopes of reeling in overall World Championship leader Tim Reeves ended in dramatic fashion in Hungary when passenger Paul Woodhead collapsed with heatstroke.

In temperatures topping 37 degrees, Webster had taken the lead from Reeves on lap nine of the 19 lap race, but at the start of lap 14 the ten-time world champion's outfit slowed suddenly along the main Hungaroring straight and retired at the second corner.

Woodhead attempted to stand up when the Team Castrol machine came to a halt, but immediately collapsed. Prompt attention from the trackside medical staff and an hour on a saline drip in the track hospital restored him, but it underlined the intense physical demands placed upon a sidecar passenger.

A racing sidecar's carbon fibre passenger platform is immediately behind the radiator and the staggering amount of heat given off by the 1000cc 200bhp Suzuki racing engine blasts directly at the passenger.

Compounded by the tightly fastened racing suit, the high air temperature, and the 13 laps in the ultra-hot conditions took their toll.

Webster said: "I was starting to have problems seeing where I was going. I thought this is stupid, it could have been dangerous so I pulled over and my legs nearly gave way when I got out of the bike, and Paul just went over."

Webster did have the consolation of a pole position and new lap record posted before the retirement.

Reeves cruised home with a 16-second lead over Mike Roscher and has a 40-point lead over Webster after two rounds.

Updated: 10:00 Monday, May 30, 2005