The FIM is delighted to announce that world-leading subsea excavation and recovery specialist Marin will sponsor the 2026 FIM Sidecar World Championship.
Marin CEO George Stroud is a fervent and long-standing supporter of Sidecar racing who started competing as a teenager. Over more than three decades he has grown the Scottish-based business into an international one-stop subsea service to the oil, gas and renewables sectors specialising in excavation, deepwater troubleshooting and drilling support.
With global bases across four continents, Marin has forged an enviable reputation for successfully operating in some of the most complex, harsh and challenging environments to be found anywhere on the planet and aims to mobilise its specialist teams and emergency response equipment within twenty-four hours of initial client contact.
George Stroud, Marin CEO, explained: “I’d say that ninety-nine percent of the time, Sidecar teams globally are all looking for funds for the next season and Marin’s aim is to support as best we can a practical and cost-effective response in resolving the difficulty in sponsorship. Our support has been about supporting the many – ensuring we don’t miss the few – and our track record proves this.
“With a background prominently in business and pivotal in the oil and gas drilling industry, I started at the bottom and worked all the way up to my current role, but my one wish in life was to race Sidecars since I was inspired as a young boy by the late, great Jock Taylor who was world champion in 1980.
“It was tough and today the story hasn’t changed – sidecar teams struggle to fund what we love. We need to put the past behind us and plan for the future and my main objective is to hopefully encourage like-minded people to become involved and keep our grids alive. Support counts for everything and can even make dreams come true.”
Fabio Muner, FIM Marketing and Digital Director, stated: “On behalf of the FIM I would like to thank George Stroud for the tremendous support that he is bringing to the 2026 FIM Sidecar World Championship through his business, Marin. His passion for this specialised and demanding discipline is crystal clear for all to see and the investment he is bringing to the series will benefit everyone involved.”
Paul King, FIM Circuit Racing Commission Director, added: “There are exciting times ahead for the FIM Sidecar World Championship and with such stalwart support from George Stroud and Marin I am confident that this unique discipline can flourish in 2026 and beyond with full grids ensuring exciting racing throughout the field.”
The six-round 2026 FIM Sidecar World Championship is set to get under way on 17-18 April at Le Mans in France as part of the famous 24 Heures Motos at the Circuit Bugatti with subsequent rounds scheduled for Croatia, France, Italy and the Netherlands before the series concludes in Germany on 3-4 October.