By In unprecedented TT news, Sidecar action at this year’s TT Races, has-been suspended.
This follows, a technical, operational investigation after the Crowe brother’s incident at Crosby by event organisers, who posted recently online, the following statement:
“Following an incident involving a Sidecar team during the third Qualifying Session of the 2026 Isle of Man TT Races, the Race Organisation initiated an immediate technical and operational review to assess the circumstances surrounding the incident and the continued participation of the Sidecar class at the event.
Following that review, in conjunction with the Event Promoter, a decision has been taken to suspend the Sidecar class for the remainder of the 2026 Isle of Man TT Races.
This precautionary measure has been implemented in the interests of competitor and spectator safety and reflects the Race Organisation’s commitment to reviewing all aspects of event safety and operational delivery whenever an incident occurs.
All sidecar competitors and teams involved in the event have been briefed by Race Officials on the outcome of the initial review and the next stages of the assessment process.
We recognise the long-standing history of Sidecar racing at the TT, together with the commitment of the competitors, teams and supporters involved in the class. This decision has not been taken lightly.
However, the safety of competitors, spectators, marshals, officials and all those involved in the event must remain the priority. Further updates will be provided in due course through official Isle of Man TT Races channels.”
News Reaction:
Lee Crawford:
“It is an unfortunate situation, I think we knew, that the few teams that was down at Crosby last night after that incident, we knew then this outcome would
be an eventuality, it was a concern.
We did have a meeting today at 11:30 PM at Ben Birchall’s awning, to converse with some ideas been very mindful that as we step into this meeting at 12:00 PM with Gary Thompson and the technical directors that this probably would be the outcome.
Hopefully and hopeful of not but unfortunately it is, it’s very sad, a lot of time and preparation goes into this for every team on the Island solos and sidecars and for this to come part of you wants to rebel or try to find a way through this but really I’m on the other scale of it.
I have been part of this movement with restrictor plates from last year, I’ve been part of the conservations, the meetings with the ACU in person with Tim Reeves and it’s been something that we have monitored throughout the year and it’s just come to fruition that the class itself is still to fast and it’s still to some degree, unsafe.
There is definitely is measures that could have been taken, sooner, this week or other changes that I think I would have implemented myself and there is parts on that bike, that I don’t want on that bike but they are on because they are allowed to be on, so yeah, very, very difficult.”
Quotes via TT Races website.
Photo credit: Mark Corlett
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
