By Before the unwelcomed news, regarding Sidecar action been-suspended, East Yorkshireman Daryl Gibson had an impromptu chat last week with Road Racing News.
Competing aside Sarah Stokoe, Gibson back in the driver role for TT 2026, CES (Christie Engineering Services) Gibson Racing machine, was the only outfit to be KTM powered.
No stranger to TT explorations with the Austrian manufacturer’s engines, having used them when joining forces with Sidecar TT wins record-holder Dave Molyneux in 2022 (fourth place finisher x2), the Beverley driver had positive early findings from free-practice circulations.
“It was good, steady lap, did not know what to expect with the KTM, it pulled well, felt good.
Got stuck in sixth going onto the Mountain Mile, so we had to do the rest of the course, managed to get it down to third for the Nook which was a bit of a struggle, that kind of ruined our lap a little bit but it gave us a good feeling.”
“Done five meetings on it, learning a bit more each time, few set-up issues for how the KTM delivers the power compared to the Suzuki, we’ve been messing about quite a lot but feel like we are there now.”
Praising passenger Sarah Stokoe, Gibson who first tackled the TT Races in 2017 alongside dad Gary, stated:
“Spot on, done five meetings together, we’ve gelled well and get on well, good mates anyway, so, easy transition.”
Issuing his perspective (before aforementioned-competition suspension) on the new Sidecar regulations for TT 2026, which it is fair to say have not panned out as planned, Gibson, whose PB Mountain Course lap-speed as a driver stands at near 112 mph, said:
“Something needed to happen and it was the easiest way to police it and make a change without going down the standard engine route, policing everyone.”
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
