BIRCHALLS LEAD THE WAY ON 100th ANNIVERSARY OF TT SIDECARS

With the start numbers for all the solo classes already revealed for the 2023 Isle of Man TT Races, today the top 10 drivers and passengers for the two 3wheeling.media Sidecar Races have been announced.

It’s as-you-were at number 1, with Ben and Tom Birchall once again leading the charge on their Steadplan/Hager LCR Honda. With twelve wins already to their name, including victory in the last nine races to take place, they’re red-hot favourites to increase that tally in June.

There’s change directly behind them though and having been pushed hard last year by both Peter Founds/Jevan Walmsley (FHO Motorsport, LCR Honda) and Ryan and Callum Crowe (Haven Homes, LCR Honda), it’s those two pairings who line up at numbers 2 and 3 respectively.

The duo both lapped comfortably over the 118mph average to become the second and third fastest crews ever and will be hoping to cut the deficit to the Birchalls even further – or perhaps even get the better of them.

Away at number 4, the most successful TT Sidecar driver of all-time, Dave Molyneux returns for the second year with the 890cc DMR KTM. He has a change of passenger for 2023 though, reuniting with eight-time winner, Dan Sayle.

The same applies to 2013 winner Tim Reeves who also has a returning passenger alongside him on the Bonovo Action Racing/Carl Cox Motorsport LCR Yamaha – Mark Wilkes. The duo has stood on the podium together before and will be hoping for a return to the rostrum. They start from number 5.

Behind them will come 2-time winner John Holden, who returns after missing both races last year. He’s also mounted on an LCR Yamaha, backed by Barnes Racing/Carl Cox Motorsport, and has a new passenger in Frenchman Maxime Vasseur.

At number 7, there’s another driver who was absent in 2022, Cheshire’s Alan Founds. With two podiums already to his name, including third in the opening race of 2019, he’ll be hoping for more of the same on the Spartan Automotive/Indelible Ink LCR Yamaha where he’ll again be joined by Jake Lowther.

Next to mount their challenge will be consistent leaderboard men Gary Bryan and Phil Hyde. With nine top ten finishes in the last ten races, they’ll again be well to the fore on their SWC Groundworks/TTS Support Baker Honda.

Fastest newcomer of 2022, Lee Crawford is rewarded with a seeded position on his Team ARC Suzuki at number 9, although his passenger is yet to be confirmed. Seasoned veterans Conrad Harrison and Andy Winkle complete the top ten on their Town Garage Horsforth Ireson Yamaha.

The complete top 10 for the 3wheeling.media Sidecar TT Races is: