Although there might have been no wins on the roads in 2017 for multi Sidecar world champion Tim Reeves, there was still positives a plenty to take from competition within his latest pure roads campaign.
Joined by Mark Wilkes in the Klaus Klaffenbock backed Honda powered outfit, TT 2017 marked Kent’s Wilkes first Mountain Course venture.
No stranger to roads action, he quickly gelled with the world famous 37 and three quarter mile course, as he and driver Reeves chipped away pace wise during practice week.
The opening Sure Sidecar encounter, would see them bank a very creditable fifth place finish, finishing just under 20 seconds off sealing a place on the podium.
After a non finish in the second three lap race, attentions roads wise for Reeves/Wilkes turned to the Southern 100.
Feature race winners at Billown in 2015, last July saw them embroiled in truly gripping battles for race wins with the Birchall brothers Ben and Tom.
Photo by Mark Corlett
Prior to the drama of the Championship race, if it wasn’t for technical gremlins Ace Hire race honours looked a more distinct possibility.
Onto the much talked about Manx Gas Sidecar Championship race, another great duel with the Birchall’s looked set to go right down to the line at the end of lap six.
But then drama struck, a collision between the two Honda powered outfits at Cross Four Ways, forced both out of contention, causing the race to be red flagged ultimately handing Championship honours to John Holden/Lee Cain.
Additionally runner up in the opening three wheel encounter at the 67th Scarborough Gold Cup, whilst results wise it might not have been extremely momentous, both Reeves/Wilkes showcased between them their growing status as one of the leading Sidecar roads driver/passenger combinations.
Words by Stevie Rial