By 2026 World Sidecars opener update, detailing well-known three wheeling forces from road racing circles, endeavours at Circuit Bugatti, Le Mans.
2024 World Champions, Steinhausen Racing’s, top five, rostrum finishing experienced TT pilots Harry Payne/Kevin Rousseau controlled Friday, Saturday’s races leading home respectively reigning Champions, Beverley’s Christie brothers Sam & Tom (Oliver’s Mount race winner/top six TT finisher), the most winning Sidecar driver at Imatranajo, Finnish legend Pekka Paivarinta/Adam Christie.
Twice World Champions, keen for TT podium progression, Todd Ellis/Emmanuelle Clement acquired fourth, fifth place finishes.
Circuit de Chimay lap-record holders, son/father duo of Ted Peugeot/Vincent Peugeot (P6 x2), Carl Cox Motorsport’s TT 2026 entrants Tim Reeves/Melanie Farnier (P7 x2), the line-up of front-line roads scene drivers/passengers competing was mighty.
Outlined below is select 2026 World Sidecars Round 1, Le Mans results:
Race 1 (Sprint Race):
P1 – Harry Payne/Kevin Rousseau (Steinhausen Racing)
P2 – Sam Christie/Tom Christie (CES Performance)
P3 – Pekka Paivarinta/Adam Christie (Hanni Racing)
P5 – Todd Ellis/Emmanuelle Clement (Ellis/Clement Racing)
P6 – Ted Peugeot/Vincent Peugeot (Seventy-Four Racing Team)
P7 – Tim Reeves/Melanie Farnier (Carl Cox Motorsport/Tim Reeves Racing)
P12 – Kevin Cable/Yann Druel (L&W Racing)
P15 – Wiggert Kranenburg/Loris Charteau (Flying Dutchmen)
P16 – Raymond Leijdekkers/Oceane Bataille (LRT Sidecar Racing)
P18 – Philippe Gallerne/Maxime Vasseur (Gallerne)
P20 – Paul Leglise/Marjorie Cescutti (521 Competition)
did not finish – Luke Williams/Kevin Kolsch (Williams Sidecar Racing Team)
did not finish – Manuel Moreau/Alice Roba (KM Side)
did not finish – Lewis Blackstock/Oscar Lawrence (DHR/DAO Racing)
did not start – Bennie Streuer/Manon Vissenberg (Bennie Streuer Racing)
Race 2 (re-started after red flag):
P1 – Harry Payne/Kevin Rousseau (Steinhausen Racing)
P2 – Pekka Paivarinta/Adam Christie (Hanni Racing)
P3 – Sam Christie/Tom Christie (CES Performance)
P4 – Todd Ellis/Emmanuelle Clement (Ellis/Clement Racing)
P6 – Ted Peugeot/Vincent Peugeot (Seventy-Four Racing Team)
P7 – Tim Reeves/Melanie Farnier (Carl Cox Motorsport/Tim Reeves Racing)
P8 – Paul Leglise/Marjorie Cescutti (521 Competition)
P13 – Manuel Moreau/Alice Roba (KM Side)
P14 – Bennie Streuer/Manon Vissenberg (Bennie Streuer Racing)
P15 – Kevin Cable/Yann Druel (L&W Racing)
P16 – Lewis Blackstock/Oscar Lawrence (DHR/DAO Racing)
P17 – Raymond Leijdekkers/Oceane Bataille (LRT Sidecar Racing)
P20 – Philippe Gallerne/Maxime Vasseur (Gallerne)
Words by Jan Vavra
