No decision, but Dunlop hasn't ruled out TT Sidecar debut in 2012
Friday 11 November 2011
TT
Isle of Man TT winner Michael Dunlop is yet to decide if he will become a Sidecar racer on the Mountain course, but has confirmed the move has not been ruled out.
Dunlop enjoyed a successful sidecar test at Jurby in the Isle of Man on Wednesday, with TT-winner Dan Sayle as passenger.
The pair were running in the Nick Crowe Racing outfit, and despite wet conditions both said it had been a positive session.
Speaking to Manx Radio, 22-year-old Dunlop admitted he has become ‘addicted’ to three-wheelers and confirmed a 2012 TT campaign in solo and sidecar classes could be on the cards.
He said:
“I’ve been testing, just having a look. I’m enjoying it at the minute, just seeing where we’re going. Obviously, I’ve got other things to consider. I’m at the top of my game, becoming a real good TT rider and I need to watch what I do. I’ve got my sponsors to think about too.”
“I’m not ruling it out, not saying yes, not saying no. We’ll have a good think about it, maybe another couple of runs.”
“I think I’m addicted to it anyway, for me it was something special. I can’t say I enjoyed it any more, I came straight off the car and there was a smile on my face.”
Meanwhile Sayle, who guided former Sidecar World Champion Klaus Klaffenbock to TT victory, told Manx Radio he would be prepared to race alongside Dunlop if he commits to the class.
He said:
“After the session we done, we must have done 50-60 laps, trying all sorts of different things and to ride one of them things the way he did in the wet, and he didn’t spin it off once, so I would be quite happy, with a bit more testing and a few more runs out, I would have a go with him.”
However, Manxman Sayle told Manx Radio running a sidecar outfit is so different from a solo effort, Dunlop may not be able to compete without joining a team.
He said:
“He’s got great interest, but he going to need a team to run it behind him.”
Hear Michael Dunlop talk to Manx Radio about Sidecar racing at the TT