Steve Webster's World Sidecar title hopes were given a boost with the news that arch rival and championship leader Klaus Klaffenbock has been disqualified from the results of last Sunday's race at the Lausitzring, Germany.

Klaffenbock had finished second in the fifth round of the 2001 series behind Webster to go into a 42-point lead over second-placed Steve Abbott, but the Austrian still had a huge 50-point advantage over Webster, whose race win had hauled him up into third place.

But after the race, when the scrutineers checked Klaffenbock's machine, they found the bodywork to be too low to the ground.

The race regulations state that there must be 65mm clearance, and Klaffenbock was under this. By having the bodywork lower, it is possible to take advantage of the "ground effect" and gain some slight speed advantage.

"The rules are quite clear, and being four or 5mm below can give a handling advantage. The rest of us can meet the rules, so he should as well. If you don't, you get disqualified, it's quite simple" said Webster.

"It now means his lead is down to 30 points over us, and there are five races to go, so it gives us an outside chance."

But, even if Webster wins all the remaining races, and Klaffenbock finishes second, the Austrian will take the title, as the points rewards - 25 for a win, 20 for a second - won't give Webster enough.

However, all it takes is a breakdown, or for Jurg Steinhausen or Steve Abbott to get in and mix it with Webster and Klaffenbock, and the title could still come back to Yorkshire.

It is interesting to note at Donington (the race before Lausitzring) that Jurg Steinhausen's team put in an official protest against Klaffenbock for low bodywork, but the FIM jury threw out the claim.

They were also disqualified at Donington last year for having illegal fuel. But for the armchair fan, it means the season is going to get rather more interesting than might otherwise have been the case.

The battle recommences next weekend at Misano in Italy.

Updated: 11:27 Saturday, June 16, 2001