TT 2022 Preview: Part 5 – Sidecar Races

TT 2022 Preview: Part 5 – Sidecar Races
A who’s who of Sidecar racing will embark upon Mountain Course competition this week, which includes the all-conquering TT team of recent years the Birchall brothers, Ben and Tom.

Having won nine of the last ten Sidecar TT races, they’ve already established themselves as unquestionably true three wheeling TT legends.

Will they reign supreme again this year? There’s no doubt that they have the undoubted talent plus the machinery in the form of their own teams, Haith supported Honda powered outfit, to further bulk up their already majestic TT CV.

Anticipated leading challengers to the Mansfield duo include fellow Mountain Course legend Dave Molyneux, who’s teamed up this year with Beverley’s Daryl Gibson.

One of just two teams to switch from 600cc to parallel twin cylinder 890cc-900cc engines, A&J Groundworks/Carl Cox Motorsport backed Molyneux/Gibson will be hoping to give KTM their first ever TT podium finishes.

Can ‘Moly’ gain another TT triumph? Will Gibson join the TT winners circle? Time will tell but discount the duo who mix vast experience, next gen talent, and consistent race winning craft, from contending for standout results at your peril.

Runner-up in both Sidecar races of TT 2019, twice TT winner John Holden (Barnes Racing) has a new sidekick for his latest TT tenure in the form of Jason Pitt.

Third in last year’s Molson Group British Sidecar Championship, a World Sidecar points finisher alongside multi-TT winner Holden, there’s no doubting Mountain Course newcomer Pitt’s aptitude aboard three-wheel machinery.

Alongside Holden/Pitt others with ambitions of prodigious race stints include Pete Founds/Jevan Walmsley who bring BSB race winners FHO Racing into the Sidecar paddock plus World Championship front runners Tim Reeves/Kevin Rousseau (Rich Energy Bonovo Action Racing).

Like the aforementioned Pitt, Frenchman Rousseau is another notable TT newbie.

Same notion applies to Oliver’s Mount Scarborough ‘King Pin’ Lee Crawford.

Linking up with regular passenger Scott Hardie, Team A.R.C’s Crawford has already showcased at Scarborough and the Southern 100 why he is so highly rated.

Whilst top five finishes may a tough ask during his first TT, it wouldn’t at all be a surprise to see him mix with it established, seasoned TT campaigners.

The 3Wheeling.Media Sidecar entry also features:

Former TT Champions Conrad Harrison/Andy Winkle, Carl Fogarty supported Lewis Blackstock/Patrick Rosney, Baker Honda mounted Gary Bryan/Phil Hyde.

Fastest Sidecar TT newcomers in history, 2019 RST Star of Tomorrow award winners Ryan Crowe/Callum Crowe (Haven Homes), Steve Ramsden/Matty Ramsden (Ramsden Racing), Harry Payne/Mark Wilkes (DAO 1886).

Craig Melvin/Stuart Christian (PH Racing), Wayne Lockey/Matty Rostron, Darren Hope/Lenny Bumfrey, Greg Lambert/Ben McBride, Yorkshiremen Gary Gibson/Tom Christie.

Not forgetting prospective history maker Michael Russell joining forces with Dave Dean, Estelle Leblond/Clement Carre (Optimark by PerformanX), Bruce Moore/Ashley Moore.

Maria Costello MBE/Vicky Cooke (Mark Coverdale/RAM Safety Solutions) and newcomers Craig Currie (Haith Honda), Goulven Crochemore, Cesar Chanal/Olivier Lavorel, Shaun Chandler/Ben Chandler.

Overall, a top-quality entry list for the Sidecar encounters of TT 2022.

It’s just a shame to report that entry numbers are again below forty and are down on the number of entries received in 2019.

Hopefully Sidecar races have a brighter future in prospect at the TT Races, they provide something different from the norm, mixing specialist engineering, proper old school racing with moments of absolute motorsport brilliance.

Photo’s by Mark Corlett, Nick Wheeler

Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
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