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Three wheeling superheroes took top billing this afternoon, opening Friday qualifying action at TT 2023.
The forty-five minutes long session, began on schedule at 1:00 PM.
As throughout qualifying week, conditions were text book, perfect for speedy laps around a course unlike any other worldwide.
Last night besting their previous outright lap record, the Birchalls Ben & Tom endured early disappointment stopping before Glen Helen.
Alan Founds/Colin Smyth, Dave Molyneux/Dan Sayle joined them on the side-lines whilst misfortune struck Alun Thomas/Kenny Cole, with the pair black flagged.
Quickest to Ballaugh Bridge, Ramsey Hairpin timing points, Pete Founds/Jevan Walmsley topped the leader board after standing start laps, lapping at 19:12.974 seconds, 117.807 mph.
Second quickest behind FHO Racing’s Founds/Walmsley, Ryan Crowe/Callum Crowe registered their best lap speed of qualifying week (116.452).
Bonovo Action Racing’s Tim Reeves/Mark Wilkes (113.509) followed them on the live timing leader board.
Fourth, fifth best respectively were Gary Bryan/Phil Hyde (112.088) and twice TT winner John Holden/Maxime Vasseur (112.046).
Respective sixth to tenth fastest were Steve Ramsden/Matty Ramsden (111.442), leading newcomer driver Daryl Gibson/Tom Christie (111.148), Dan Knight/Ben Hughes (109.614), Greg Lambert/Andrew Haynes (108.965) and father, son pairing John Saunders/James Saunders (107.362).
With various crews electing not to go through for flying laps, the aforementioned ten fastest driver/passenger teams didn’t alter hugely.
Amongst those sampling second timed laps, going onto set swifter speeds included the Ramsden’s Steve & Matty (112.719), Knight/Hughes (110.118) and the Saunders (108.369).
TT 2023 – Friday Sidecars Qualifying Result:
(PB lap speed located near racer’s name)
1 – Pete Founds/Jevan Walmsley – 117.807
2 – Ryan Crowe/Callum Crowe – 116.452
3 – Tim Reeves/Mark Wilkes – 113.509
4 – Steve Ramsden/Matty Ramsden – 112.719
5 – Gary Bryan/Phil Hyde – 112.088
6 – John Holden/Maxime Vasseur – 112.046
7 – Daryl Gibson/Tom Christie – 111.148
8 – Dan Knight/Ben Hughes – 110.118
9 – Greg Lambert/Andrew Haynes – 108.965
10 – John Saunders/James Saunders – 108.369
11 – Wayne Lockey/Matty Rostron – 107.069
12 – Shaun Chandler/Ben Chandler – 105.591
13 – Conrad Harrison/Andy Winkle – 104.881
14 – Darren Hope/Lenny Bumfrey – 104.644
15 – Andy King/Andrew Sigsworth – 104.586
16 – Mike Jackson/Jake Roberts – 104.562
17 – Bruce Moore/Mark Gash – 103.497
18 – Dave Quirk/Karl Schofield – 102.964
19 – Michael Russell/Vicky Cooke – 102.532
20 – Craig Melvin/Stuart Christian – 101.863
21 – Derek Lynch/Anthony McDonnell – 98.831
22 – Alan Founds/Colin Smyth – 98.574
23 – John Shipley/Jody James – 97.283
24 – Ben Birchall/Tom Birchall – 81.928
Photo credit: Mark Corlett, Nick Wheeler
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
Bonovo Action Racing’s Tim Reeves/Mark Wilkes (113.509) followed them on the live timing leader board.
Fourth, fifth best respectively were Gary Bryan/Phil Hyde (112.088) and twice TT winner John Holden/Maxime Vasseur (112.046).
Respective sixth to tenth fastest were Steve Ramsden/Matty Ramsden (111.442), leading newcomer driver Daryl Gibson/Tom Christie (111.148), Dan Knight/Ben Hughes (109.614), Greg Lambert/Andrew Haynes (108.965) and father, son pairing John Saunders/James Saunders (107.362).
With various crews electing not to go through for flying laps, the aforementioned ten fastest driver/passenger teams didn’t alter hugely.
Amongst those sampling second timed laps, going onto set swifter speeds included the Ramsden’s Steve & Matty (112.719), Knight/Hughes (110.118) and the Saunders (108.369).
TT 2023 – Friday Sidecars Qualifying Result:
(PB lap speed located near racer’s name)
1 – Pete Founds/Jevan Walmsley – 117.807
2 – Ryan Crowe/Callum Crowe – 116.452
3 – Tim Reeves/Mark Wilkes – 113.509
4 – Steve Ramsden/Matty Ramsden – 112.719
5 – Gary Bryan/Phil Hyde – 112.088
6 – John Holden/Maxime Vasseur – 112.046
7 – Daryl Gibson/Tom Christie – 111.148
8 – Dan Knight/Ben Hughes – 110.118
9 – Greg Lambert/Andrew Haynes – 108.965
10 – John Saunders/James Saunders – 108.369
11 – Wayne Lockey/Matty Rostron – 107.069
12 – Shaun Chandler/Ben Chandler – 105.591
13 – Conrad Harrison/Andy Winkle – 104.881
14 – Darren Hope/Lenny Bumfrey – 104.644
15 – Andy King/Andrew Sigsworth – 104.586
16 – Mike Jackson/Jake Roberts – 104.562
17 – Bruce Moore/Mark Gash – 103.497
18 – Dave Quirk/Karl Schofield – 102.964
19 – Michael Russell/Vicky Cooke – 102.532
20 – Craig Melvin/Stuart Christian – 101.863
21 – Derek Lynch/Anthony McDonnell – 98.831
22 – Alan Founds/Colin Smyth – 98.574
23 – John Shipley/Jody James – 97.283
24 – Ben Birchall/Tom Birchall – 81.928
Photo credit: Mark Corlett, Nick Wheeler
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou 
