Josef “Sepp” Sattler has called it quits. Following the serious accident at the Schleizer Dreieck two weeks ago, the Bavarian has announced the end of his active career as a sidecar racer. The reigning German champion will now focus on mentoring young talent in the Sidecar Trophy.
The accident at the Schleizer Dreieck changed everything for the 58-year-old from the Bonovo Action Team. Sattler and his 20-year-old passenger, Luca Schmidt, were well on their way to winning the title for the third time in a row when the two of them skidded on a patch of oil. The sidecar team rolled over.
The ARS-Yamaha motorcycle is a write-off. “The accident happened just as we were about to take the next step with the sidecar, which we’d finally developed to the level we wanted,” Sattler explains, “in France, a fairing was supposed to be custom-fitted for me—gearshift on the left, brake on the right, seating position perfect. All that’s gone now.” The Bavarian also wanted to be able to compete in the World Championship, as it is now held as part of the IDM events. “I beat Pekka Päivärinta in the process—he’s the world champion, so that means a lot to me. At one point I was sixth overall in the World Championship, so not too bad,” he adds.
Sattler, who has recovered from the concussion and spinal contusions he sustained two weeks ago, was a guest at the International German Motorcycle Championship (IDM) at the Red Bull Ring over the weekend and had many conversations. “I could have gotten an old sidecar from Tim Reeves, but it’s tailored exactly to Tim and not to me,” he explains his decision to decline. His decision, which has been maturing over the past two weeks, is now final: He’s retiring. The big black tent with the “Sattler Motorsport” logo will no longer be in the paddock.
Josef Sattler is a leading figure in the world of sidecars. He has won the International German Motorcycle Championship title a total of four times and has competed in numerous World Championship races. Even though he has hung up his helmet, he remains active in the scene. He will be mentoring the next generation in the Sidecar Trophy and will also be building a new sidecar team for that purpose: “As of 2019, I still have plenty of parts.”