Barry Sidery-Smith's life has been cars both as a well known MG trader with an uncanny knack of finding cars for fellow enthusiasts and as a very skilled motor racing competitor for over 50 years. Although known as "Sideways" to many, his racing style was in fact neat and quick, particularly in the wet. He has been a Club stalwart too running a natter and was an active member of the SE Centre committee for many years, a joint founder of the BCV8 Championship in late 1973 for a first season in 1974 and organiser of Club test days at Goodwood.

In 2011 I met up with Barry and prepared an article on what was behind the familiar bespectacled smile seen in the paddock at so many race meetings and other Club events? Look back on the article