Equally important to the Isle of Man TT races as the solos, the Formula Two Sidecars again have two races and having been part of the Island’s history for so long, it’s only right that they experience the same upturn in fortunes as their solo counterparts. The quality of the grid is stronger than ever before and the levels of professionalism are second to none. If the solos have created heroes and legendary names then the sidecars have done the same. Oliver, Deubel, Enders, Schauzu, Steinhausen, Taylor, Ireson, Boddice, Saville, Fisher and Molyneux are just some of the drivers to have firmly etched their names in the record books, names that will always live on in TT folklore.
The standard of entry has again risen to new levels in 2006, not only with the established competitors returning but also with the amount of newcomers coming to the Island. However, one name continues to remain at the forefront of the sidecar brigade, that of local hero Dave Molyneux. Now in his 21st year of racing at the TT, the Regaby man experienced the lows of the Island last year when he crashed heavily in practice, amazingly without serious injury but he’s back for more in 2007 and with Rick Long in the chair, it’s a formidable partnership and one the rest have to beat.
Fellow Manxmen Nick Crowe and Daniel Sayle are the pairing most likely to prevent Moly from cleaning up and, with a double victory to his name last year, Crowe could well be closer than he’s even been to beating his rival in a straight fight. However, last year saw the top few crews quicker than ever before and no less than eight crews were in contention for the podium positions, not just three as had been the case in previous years, further proof of the competitiveness of the class.
Steve Norbury and Scott Parnell are the third fastest crew in the history of the event and have already recorded nine podiums so it’s fair to say they are long over due a win and if 2007 is to be the year it happens, you’d be hard pressed to find a more popular result. On the form of 2006, other pairings who will be fighting it out for the podium places include Simon Neary/Craig Hallam, 2001 World Champions Klaus Klaffenbock/Christian Parzer, John Holden/Andy Winkle, Roy Hanks/Dave Wells, Andy Laidlow/Patrick Farrance and Phil Dongworth/Stuart Castles.
The supporting cast, like the solos, is stronger than ever with Tony Elmer, Nigel Connole, Tony Baker, Roger Stockton, Allan Schofield, Bill Currie, Kenny Howles, Glyn Jones, Greg Lambert, David Wallis, Mick Harvey and Conrad Harrison, to name just a few, fighting it out for top ten finishes at the very least. Meanwhile, former podium finisher, and one of the class stalwarts, Eddy Wright makes a welcome return.
The recruitment of newcomers has been stepped up for the F2 class as well and 2006 saw no less than three drivers, Wayne Lockey, Nick Houghton and Declan Lynch, all lap at over 100mph. 2007 sees the debut of German driver Mike Roscher and having finished in the top eight of the World Championship in recent years, including numerous top five results, his appearance signifies the tremendous pull of the event.
Another interesting prospect is the TT debut of current Japanese Sidecar Champions Masahito Watanabe and Hideyuki Yoshida. The pair who finished the last 6 years in the top three positions of the Japanese National Formula 1 Championship aim to make steady progress with a view to returning year on year.
Other drivers to make debut, having already achieved top results in the F2 British Championship and at the Southern 100 and Scarborough include Dougie Wright (son of Eddy), Mark Brown, Rob Hancock, David Hirst and Stuart Stobbart.
“The Sidecar TT's are probably the best sidecar races in the world in terms of prestige, number of teams and quality of entries. We have the world’s largest prize fund for the sidecar classes to reflect this... We also have a certain legend called Molyneux!”
Paul Phillips, TT and Motorsport Development Manager
DAVE MOLYNEUX
Molyneux’s invincibility came to a sudden and frightening halt in 2006 with a 140mph crash at Rhencullen in practice, an incident that prompted him to retire. However, less than a week later he’d changed his mind and began plotting for his 2007 return. Arguably the greatest sidecar driver ever to have competed at the Isle of Man TT Races, Moly celebrates 21 years of TT competition this year and with Rick Long in the chair, the HM Plant Honda is well placed to add another double to his collection. Whether or not the crash has tempered his speed remains to be seen.
NICK CROWE
Manx domination of the sidecar events continues with treble TT winner Nick Crowe. A double winner in 2006, Crowe has a remarkable record of finishing in the top two places for every TT race in the last 4 years! Nick is without doubt the second best driver currently competing - only the modern TT legend that is Molyneux is stopping Crowe dominating the event himself. Nick continues to edge ever closer to challenging Molyneux in a straight fight – if anyone is to defeat Moly, then Crowe is the man to do it. Long-time passenger Darren Hope has hung up his leathers, so Crowe links up with Molyneux’s former passenger, the lap record holding Dan Sayle.
STEVE NORBURY
Like Crowe, Norbury continues to get quicker and quicker, edging ever closer to the flying Molyneux. With six podiums from the last six races, Norbury is the picture of consistency and, with a little more luck, that first win will be his. The Jason Griffiths of the sidecar world, you’d be hard pushed to find a more avid TT enthusiast and 2007 could well be the year when the dream of a TT win becomes reality. Also a leading contender in the World Championship, Norbury undoubtedly has the talent to be a TT winner - only the two Manx wonders are stopping him.
KLAUS KLAFFENBOCK
The former World Sidecar Champion switched his attention to the TT in 2004 and from those early, cautious laps he has blossomed into a TT star and a definite contender for honours. Only bad luck prevented him from getting his first ever rostrum last year and he has made it quite clear that the event is his number priority. Having withdrawn his team from the World Superbike Championship, Klaffi is right up there with the best of them and his attention and focus is firmly on the first two weeks of June.
SIMON NEARY
Neary only made his TT debut in 2002 but has rapidly progressed through the ranks to become the sixth fastest driver ever. Neary looked all set to claim his first ever podium in last year’s ‘A’ race, but crashed out on the Mountain at Brandywell - fortunately without serious injury. If he can eliminate this youthful exuberance, he could put the matter right this year. A regular front-runner in the British Formula 2 Championship, Neary has the talent and experience to succeed and, with former winner Craig Hallam in the chair, is sure to be closer to the big three.
ROY HANKS
From a family steeped in sidecar history, Hanks is the most experienced driver in the field and lines up for his 41st TT. With Dave Wells in the chair, the duo continue to give their rivals plenty to think about it and although a race win is probably out of their reach, they are sure to be in the top six in both races. Scored his tenth podium in 2006 and with consistency and reliability to match his competitiveness, don’t bet against more of the same this year.
ANDY LAIDLOW
Laidlow returned in 2006 after a two year absence but it never showed and he was on the pace immediately. Driving the all-new LCR, the Cumbrian driver and his young passenger Farrance cracked the 110mph mark for the first time and just missed out on a podium in both legs. Like Norbury and Parnell, the duo contest the World Championship and they are equally adept at both. Sure to go quicker again in 2007, Laidlow is yet another driver who is more than capable of stepping on to the rostrum.
PHIL DONGWORTH
Dongworth made his debut back in 1996 but didn’t return until 2000. However, since then he has gone on to be one of the finest drivers competing on the Island and certainly one of the fastest. Bad luck, particularly on the final lap of a number of races, has prevented him from stepping onto the podium and if anyone deserves to be on the rostrum then he does. Narrowly missed out on a first ever 110mph lap last year, Dongworth is back with regular passenger Stuart Castles and is guaranteed to be in the top six.
JOHN HOLDEN
One of the veteran drivers still competing at the very top of his game, Holden has been driving on the Island since the days of the 350cc two-strokes and continues to get quicker. Two podium finishes in the last two years have been just rewards for the Lancastrian and he was another driver to crack the 110mph barrier for the first time last year. Like Dongworth, Holden is a certainty to be in the top six, at the very least.
TONY ELMER
Elmer only made his debut in 2004 but the Leeds driver has rapidly improved to become one of the leading lights at the TT. The 2005 British Champion scored his best result to date last year when he placed 8th in the ‘A’ Race also lapping at an excellent 108.16mph. A multiple winner at Oliver’s Mount, Scarborough, he blotted his copybook with a spin in the second race at Creg ny Baa but is certainly a good outside bet for a podium in 2007.