By Finishing runner up in Road Racing News top three Sidecar roads teams of 2017 are, Southern 100 champions John Holden/Lee Cain.
Backed again by Silicone Engineering Racing/Barnes Racing, veteran driver Holden joined this year by Manxman Lee Cain has enjoyed another stellar roads season on the Isle of Man.
After multiple successful years competing alongside Andy Winkle, his first TT campaign with local racer Cain proved immensely productive.
Runner up in both Sure Sidecar races, they gave a tenacious determined challenge to the on fire Birchall brothers, alongside outpacing the likes of Dave Molyneux/Dan Sayle, Tim Reeves/Mark Wilkes and Alan Founds/Jake Lowther.
Alongside Manxman Cain securing maiden TT rostrum finishes, the two second place finishes elevated driver Holden’s accomplished tally of TT podium’s to now an impressive 17.
Following TT 2017, the next time the Clitheroe racer was back in roads action, was at one of his favourite meetings, the Southern 100.
Photo by Jim Gibson
Graced by good weather and excellent conditions throughout, a quite memorable week at Billown began with a second place finish in the Ace Hire & Sales Sidecar race.
The blue riband Championship race looked set to yield a third place finish for Holden/Cain, all changed though on a dramatic sixth and final lap.
With front runners the Birchalls and Tim Reeves/Mark Wilkes involved in a collision at Cross Four Ways, and both crews been disqualified, the LCR Honda mounted duo were declared Southern 100 champions for the first time.
A combination that combines experience, consistent TT front running quality with up coming ambitious youthful enthusiasm, John Holden and Lee Cain have quickly developed into a formidable team on the Mountain Course and at Billown.
It’s not known yet, as to whether they will working together again in 2018, one things for sure though if they are expect them to give the likes of the Birchall brothers more than something to think about next year.
Words by Stevie Rial
