World Champions and eight newcomers in increased TT sidecar field for 2011
Wednesday 06 April 2011
TT
More sidecar outfits will line-up to race at the 2011 Isle of Man TT fuelled by Monster Energy than competed last year, the organisers have confirmed.
Among the increased entry are 10 crews who have lapped the Mountain Course at an average speed of more than 110mph, eight newcomers and three outfits carrying World Champions – including the all-conquering team of Klaus Klaffenbock and Dan Sayle, who won both sidecar TT races in 2010.
Once again three-times World Champion Tim Reeves has entered – to be partnered by regular passenger Gregory Cluze – and the World Championship-winning Birchall brothers Ben and Tom will make their TT return after a year’s absence.
Isle of Man Government TT and Motorsport Manager Paul Phillips said:
“The sidecar class remains an integral part of the TT Race programme and it is pleasing to see an increase in entries for this year, with as many as eight newcomer drivers taking on the Mountain Course for the first time.”
“The standard of the entry is first class and the races are as open as they have been for many years.”
Last year’s double winners Klaffenbock, the 2001 World Champion, and Manxman Sayle will set off at number 2 this time around as they aim for more success.
Leaving the startline 10 seconds ahead of them will be the leading Suzuki-powered outfit of John Holden and Andrew Winkle, who came agonisingly close of their first victory 12 months ago, finishing just 1.12 seconds behind Klaffenbock and Sayle in the thrilling second 3-lap sidecar race.
Despite having quit the short circuits, Reeves is desperate for a maiden TT win and the triple World Champion lines up at number 3 with Frenchman Cluze, just ahead of the Birchalls. The Nottinghamshire brothers are making their second appearance after an impressive debut in 2009.
One place further back are Simon Neary and Dipash Chauhan, the Leeds driver again benefiting from the experience of 5-times TT winner turned team boss Nick Crowe.
Conrad Harrison took his first ever podium in 2010 and will set off at number 6, this time with Mike Aylott as passenger, while Tony Elmer/Darren Marshall, Gary Bryan/Gary Partridge, Roy Hanks/Dave Wells and the returning Dougie Wright/Martin Hull complete the first 10 in the field.
Almost 60 entries have been received with the likes of Greg Lambert, Gordon Shand, Bill Currie, Rob Handcock, Tony Baker and Dave Kimberley all back for another attempt, while veterans Kenny Howles and Eddy Wright have also been lured back into competition.
Miles Bennett is the first of the newcomers at number 37, two places ahead of Dean Lindley.