according to motorcycle newsIsle of Man TT organizers are launching a sustainability review of the sidecar class. This review follows the suspension of the class during this year’s IOM TT race due to safety concerns following a serious sidecar accident.
The class was suspended due to a sidecar accident during the third qualifying session, involving four-time race winner and current record holder Ryan and Callum Crowe. In this incident both machines overturned after catching air, but it was not the only serious sidecar accident during this year’s event.
Maria Costello, MBE, and Shaun Parker were also involved in a serious sidecar accident, in which Costello was hospitalized and suffered paralysis after breaking his neck. It is important to note that these accidents occurred after IOM TT organizers introduced new rules for the sidecar class to reduce top speeds.
An official release said the sustainability review of the sidecar class “will be supported by a number of expert panels, who will provide expertise and advice in a number of areas, including technical regulations, race organization and competitor representation.” Teams, competitors, industry representatives, officials and spectators are invited to send written submissions as part of the review. Submissions should be emailed to iomttraces.gov.im, and the deadline is midnight on June 30.
The press statement continued, “The review will consider all feedback and information received along with a detailed assessment of a range of relevant data sets, including historical and forecasted participation levels, event data, operational considerations and broader indicators related to the sustainability of the class.”
Clerk of the Course, BEM, Gary Thompson MBE said, “The decision to suspend the sidecar class during this year’s event was not taken lightly. Sidecars have a long and important history at the Isle of Man TT and are valued by competitors, teams, officials and fans alike… However, this review is not simply a response to this year’s events. It will consider the sidecar class over a number of years, including participation trends, technical developments, event data and its long-term sustainability. Within the Isle of Man TT.”
The final sustainability report will be completed by the end of July 2026. But following suspension from the IOM TT, the class has also been removed from the Southern 100 race, although the Classic Sidecar class will feature at the Isle of Man-based event.
