Latest news with #sidecarRacing
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Sidecar team running on adrenaline after TT record
Kieran Clarke (left) is one half of the sidecar team, pictured with his stepfather Eddy Wright [BBC/Cathy Minton] A sidecar racing duo who were crowned 'Best Newcomers' at the Isle of Man TT say they are still riding high on adrenaline after their success. Driver Kieran Clarke, from Tadcaster, and passenger Andrew Johnson finished fifth overall in the event, the highest ever place on a first-time appearance, hitting a top speed of 114.221mph (183km/h) in the process. Advertisement Mr Johnson, 41, described their experience as "crazy" and unlike any race the pair have previously competed in. "I should have learnt by now that when [Kieran] says we'll just go out, take it easy and see how it goes, that his version of taking it easy isn't the same as everyone else," he said. Reflecting on the experience, Mr Clarke, 28, added: "It's the adrenaline – we're probably three weeks post the Isle of Man and it's still pumping round your system, it's the strangest feeling." Sidecar racing is a two-person motorsport involving a three-wheel motorcycle with a sidecar, and requires both driver and a passenger to work closely together. Advertisement The passenger has to shift their weight according to the direction of travel, in order to keep the motorcycle's wheels touching the ground to maximise stability and speed. Mr Clarke and Mr Johnson's partnership started four years ago when they first competed together at an race meet at Brands Hatch.. However, they had known each other much longer, first meeting when Mr Clarke was eight and Mr Jackson was 21. Even after a crash last year, which temporarily hospitalised Mr Clarke, the pair have climbed the rankings and are currently second in the British Championship F2 FSRA, with four rounds to go. Advertisement The Isle of Man TT is one of the most well-known events in the motorsport calendar, and sidecar racing has been a part of the race programme since 1923. While they duo are well-versed in the demands of short circuit racing, the TT course was a completely different challenge to tackle, according to Mr Johnson. "The speed at which you're going on the TT course with the bumps and everything is crazy," he said. "You've got to have respect for the course, you've got to understand each other and you've got trust each other. "I trust Kieran with the handlebars and I wouldn't have raced with anybody else on that course." Advertisement The pair are currently focused on the remaining races in the British Championships, but said they were already anticipating a return to the Isle of Man in 2026. Speaking about what he loves so much about the adrenaline-fuelled sport, Mr Clarke added: "It's just the thrill, there's nothing else like it. "People have said to me, 'do you reckon jumping out a plane is just as exciting?' and I think you'd have to get out a big plane somewhere very high to make it equally as good." Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. More on this story Related Internet Links
BBC News
5 days ago
- Automotive
- BBC News
Tadcaster racing team win 'Fastest Newcomer' at Isle of Man TT
A sidecar racing duo who were crowned 'Best Newcomers' at the Isle of Man TT say they are still riding high on adrenaline after their Kieran Clarke, from Tadcaster, and passenger Andrew Johnson finished fifth overall in the event, the highest ever place on a first-time appearance, hitting a top speed of 114.221mph (183km/h) in the Johnson, 41, described their experience as "crazy" and unlike any race the pair have previously competed in."I should have learnt by now that when [Kieran] says we'll just go out, take it easy and see how it goes, that his version of taking it easy isn't the same as everyone else," he said. Reflecting on the experience, Mr Clarke, 28, added: "It's the adrenaline – we're probably three weeks post the Isle of Man and it's still pumping round your system, it's the strangest feeling."Sidecar racing is a two-person motorsport involving a three-wheel motorcycle with a sidecar, and requires both driver and a passenger to work closely passenger has to shift their weight according to the direction of travel, in order to keep the motorcycle's wheels touching the ground to maximise stability and speed. Mr Clarke and Mr Johnson's partnership started four years ago when they first competed together at an race meet at Brands they had known each other much longer, first meeting when Mr Clarke was eight and Mr Jackson was after a crash last year, which temporarily hospitalised Mr Clarke, the pair have climbed the rankings and are currently second in the British Championship F2 FSRA, with four rounds to go. The Isle of Man TT is one of the most well-known events in the motorsport calendar, and sidecar racing has been a part of the race programme since they duo are well-versed in the demands of short circuit racing, the TT course was a completely different challenge to tackle, according to Mr Johnson."The speed at which you're going on the TT course with the bumps and everything is crazy," he said."You've got to have respect for the course, you've got to understand each other and you've got trust each other."I trust Kieran with the handlebars and I wouldn't have raced with anybody else on that course."The pair are currently focused on the remaining races in the British Championships, but said they were already anticipating a return to the Isle of Man in about what he loves so much about the adrenaline-fuelled sport, Mr Clarke added: "It's just the thrill, there's nothing else like it."People have said to me, 'do you reckon jumping out a plane is just as exciting?' and I think you'd have to get out a big plane somewhere very high to make it equally as good." Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
02-06-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Crowe brothers smash lap record in TT sidecar win
Ryan and Callum Crowe stormed to a dominant win in the opening sidecar race of the 2025 Isle of Man TT, smashing the lap siblings from Jurby, in the north of the island, led on the road throughout after topping the qualifying boards, recording a second lap of 121.021mph on their Honda marked the local pairing's third win on the 37.7-mile (61km) Mountain Course after securing the double at last year's the end of the truncated two-lap race, the pair had pulled out a lead of one minute, 17 seconds on nearest rivals Ben Birchall and Patrick Rosney. Driver Ryan Crowe said he was surprised by the pair's speed on the record-breaking lap because of the blustery conditions."I didn't think it would come, it was that windy out there," the 29-year-old told Radio said their Honda was "mint all the way round", adding: "It was lovely, I couldn't knock it out there."The race, which had originally been scheduled to take place on Saturday, was postponed because of significant weather disruption to the planned qualifying sessions for the 2025 event. Class dominance The Crowes had pulled out a 25-second lead by Ramsey on the first lap, stretching that to 36 seconds by the end of the circuit, with an average lap speed of 119.418mph – the fastest ever in the class from a standing siblings' dominance in the class in 2025 was cemented on lap two when they pulled out a lead of well over a second circuit was completed in a time of 18:42.350, slashing three seconds off the previous lap record set by Ben and Tom Birchall in a race that saw fierce competition for the other podium places, it was 14-times TT winner Ben Birchall and his new passenger Rosney who took second place on their Honda machinery, 17.3 seconds ahead of Lee Crawford and Scott Hardie on their there was disappointment for Lewis Blackstock and newcomer passenger Oscar Lawrence, who had been contenders for a podium finish but fell back after stopping to make adjustments on lap Founds and Jevan Walmsley were non-starters in the race following a crash in qualifying on Sunday, with both since discharged from hospital. Sidecar TT result Ryan Crowe/Callum Crowe (Honda)Ben Brichall/Patrick Rosney (Honda)Lee Crawford/Scott Hardie (Kawasaki)Todd Ellis/Emmanuelle Clement (Yamaha)Kieran Clarke/Andrew Johnson (Yamaha)George Holden/Mark Wilkes (Yamaha)Steve Ramsden/Matthew Ramsden (Honda)Lewis Blackstock/Oscar Lawrence (Yamaha)Greg Lambert/Andrew Haynes (Honda)Robert Dawson/Matthew Sims (Honda) Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook, external and X, external.
BBC News
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Shropshire couple take up sidecar racing in their 60s
A married couple have said sidecar racing has become "part of their normal life" since starting the sport in their 60s. Dave and Alison Birch, from Whixhall in Shropshire, took up racing in 2024 and are loving every minute. Their team name is Terrier Racing - in honour of their beloved dog Pip. The pair spend their weekends hurtling around racetracks at more than 100mph and reckon being married "does help" their teamwork. Retired builder Dave has been racing solo for years, and watching countless races inspired Alison to give sidecar racing a qualifying just before the pandemic, the couple were finally able to hit the track together in 2024."I am probably the oldest passenger," Alison said, noting that other passengers are often teenagers. "But who cares? I'm doing it." Sidecar racing is not a sport for the sidecars run low to the ground, with the wheels barely visible, and they whip around racetracks, like Darley Moor in Derbyshire, at high speed. Dave might be driving, but Alison is not just along for the ride - she uses her bodyweight to help counterbalance the bike, also called an outfit, around the sharp turns. The pair are competing in the Darley Moor Club Championship, and despite being some of the newest riders on the grid, their fellow racers have been "very, very welcoming", Dave said."They're like a second family," Alison added."If you need any help with the outfit, they'll come and help you, they'll come and have a drink or a barbeque." Darley Moor is their second race of the 2025 season - and with five more more to go, Dave and Alison are only just getting reckons they will keep racing until they "can't get the leathers on"."It's just become part of our normal life," Dave said, adding that the pair are "improving every time they go out, and getting faster"."You only get one lap in life, so make it a good one," he laughed. Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
