Barry ‘Sideways’ Sidery-Smith turns 80

Barry ‘Sideways’ Siddery-Smith recently celebrated his 80th Birthday and to mark the occasion, his daughter Heidi organised a surprise 1940’s style tea-party in Byfleet Village Hall, close to his home.

Barry has been an MGCC stalwart for over 50 years having run a natter, served as a South East Centre committee member for many years and was a joint founder of the BCV8 Championship which started in 1974.

He has been racing since 1959, initially driving an Austin Healey 100/4 and in the 1970’s he started racing MGBs, going on to acquire the 1965 ex-works, ex Paddy Hopkirk, Le Mans Race car DRX 255C, which he still owns and races, and looks set to compete in the Le Mans Classic this year with. As well as being renowned for his racing skill, he is well liked for his affable personality and for his generosity of spirit in helping others to get into the sport.

Around 100 friends and family from across the country and Belgium went along, as Barry and his wife Pam were led in by Heidi who had tricked them into thinking they were attending a family meal. The MG Car Club would like to wish Barry a belated happy birthday.