By Spectacular, illuminating, all action, one cannot but admire the multi-faceted skillset of Sidecar racers at Oliver’s Mount, Scarborough.
Still the only road race venue in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, to host three wheeling speedsters, hardy roads scene fans love viewing up close, the idiosyncratic outfits.
Combined, twenty-two driver/passenger pilots are set for Spring Cup, J.Hughes Plant Hire F2/Pre-Injection Sidecar contests.
The Ramsdens Steve & Matty (Ramsden Racing – LCR Honda), go into next Saturday, Sunday’s races, as arguably the main favourites for P1 achievements.
No less than thirty-three times, first three finishers together at Scarborough across this decade, driver Steve Olivers’ victories total of twenty-three puts him just in front of seventeen times TT winner Dave Molyneux, within the all-time North Yorkshire ‘Mini TT’ winners list.
Likely lead pursuers next week include Carl Fenwick/new wave IOM talent, TT podium finisher Jake Roberts (Shelbourne Yamaha).
Michael Russell eyeing ten finishes from ten race starts at TT 2026, joined by Alice Smith, will be vying for top 3 leader-board results.
Same as in last year’s Gold Cup, sole Pre-Injection apparated crews are Greg Lambert/Andrew Haynes (Graham and Ann Ward – Windle Yamaha), proteges, prospective TT newcomers James Hanks/Jonathan Kirk (Greg Lambert Sidecar School).
Bruce Moore/Tom Dawkins (Arcadia Motel – Baker Yamaha), Mark Hegarty/Alex Ludlow will be looking to impress, as will the rest of the entry, completed by:
Jim Noble/Abi Caiger (Power Tool Rentals Ltd), John Shipley/Gary Wheeler, Paul Riley/Jody James (Finecut Developments Ltd) and thirty-seven plate carriers Charlie Morphet/Rob Coppock.
Roll on 2026 Spring Cup, Sidecar tussles around a circuit that epitomises the word unique, Oliver’s Mount, Scarborough.
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
