TT 2025 Preview - Part 5 - Sidecar Races
It’s modern era superpowers vs ambitious new wave drivers/passengers, in the race for Sidecars success at TT 2025.
Dominant on route to successive race wins in 2024, the Crowe brothers Ryan & Callum, arguably start substantial favourites.
Looking calm, cool, collected, the pressure cooker didn’t overwhelm them last year, as they followed their dad Nick in mastering the fabled, mythical Mountain Course.
Confident they have the package (Opul/ Kel Properties.com – LCR Honda) to continue their distinguished TT progression, could if conditions, all aligns, a new lap-record be possible?
Presently holding this distinction alongside retired passenger, brother Tom Birchall, is 14 times TT winner Ben Birchall (Hager/Wyckham Blackwell – LCR Honda).
Joined by new sidekick, Patrick Rosney, the Mansfield driver stated last month that the drive for reigniting victory sensations, at the world’s most acclaimed famous road race, continues to burn brightly.
“Knowing what’s required and what’s not required for the entire package, both on and away from the track, has become more evident these last 18 months as I have a lot more to think about now Tom’s not alongside me, so I’m thrilled to be in the situation I am now with Paddy.
The desire to succeed at the TT is as strong as ever – the fire’s still burning and we’re in a good place.”
Runner-ups within four of the last Sidecar TT contests, Pete Founds/Jevan Walmsley (AWB Engineering – DDM), join Birchall/Rosney, the Crowes in being Honda powered.
Part of the very exclusive ‘120 Mph Club’, they have the core pace, front running acumen, tranquil temperament to grab P1 attainments.
Notable non-starters include now Liaison Officer, 17 times winner Dave Molyneux, John Holden, Alan Founds, Conrad Harrison, eight times World Champion Tim Reeves.
Those hoping to step up, set sights on rostrum finishing pursuits include:
Last year’s top newcomers Todd Ellis/Emmanuelle Clement (Brookland Sand & Aggregates – Christie Engineering Services Yamaha), Lee Crawford/Scott Hardie (Team ARC/SJH Bodyworks – Louis Christen Racing Kawasaki).
Lewis Blackstock/newcomer passenger Oscar Lawrence (Dave Holden Racing) and the father/son Ramsdens duo Steve & Matty.
Robert Dawson/Matt Sims (Dawson Classic Motorcycles), Beverley’s Gary Gibson/Daryl Gibson (back on passenger duties), Dan Knight/Justin Sharp, Greg Lambert/Andrew Haynes have the tenacious, clever race craft to strike prominent leader board finishes.
The 102nd Anniversary Sidecar TT field also features notable newcomers British, World Championship front-runners George Holden, Steve Kershaw, respectively competing alongside Rhys Gibbons and Mark Wilkes.
Protégé of Eddy Wright, Kieran Clarke/Andrew Johnson, Ross Buchanan/Adam Evans, Eric Lenser (newcomer driver but solo Manx Grand Prix experienced)/Anais Rosset, Bruno Mathern/Mathilde Jully (ADR Confiserie Sassi Racing Team).
Additional crews set for TT 2025 include, all Belgian squad of Renzo Van Der Donckt/Vale Van Der Donckt, Wiggert Kranenburg/Kevin Kolsch (debutant), Craig Currie/Jason Pitt (debutant).
Wayne Lockey/Matty Rostron, Gordon Shand/Frank Claeys, Maria Costello MBE/Alice Smith (debutant), James Saunders (newcomer driver)/Sarah Stokoe.
Darren Hope/Lenny Bumfrey, Bruce Moore/Mark Gash and Mick Donovan/Maxime Vasseur (Cosmic Group – Dave Molyneux Racing Kawasaki).
Overall, quite the decent entry-list for TT 2025 – 3wheeling.media Sidecar races.
However, not to be downbeat but the entry-numbers are let’s be honest low again (just over thirty).
Sidecar racing around the unparalleled Mountain Course, provides something different from the norm, mixing specialist engineering, proper old school racing with moments of absolute motorsport brilliance. Long may it continue. Once times change, they rarely change.
Photo credit: Mark Corlett