Birchalls eye TT success after surprise podium
After a few faltering steps the Birchall brothers' short circuit got off to a happy start at the weekend.
Tom and Ben scored a fine third place on a borrowed outfit at Aragon on Sunday in the FIM World Sidecar championship.
Finishing on the podium is a bit of a habit for the Mansfield pair who scored second and third places in last year’s Isle of Man TT fuelled by Monster Energy Sure Sidecar races.
Sunday’s achievement required a bit more effort than normal after mechanical problems sidelined their Mitchells of Mansfield LCR Suzuki ahead of the opening meeting of the championship.
Luckily long time supporter John Lawson was able to offer the use of a spare machine; an offer that Tom and Ben grabbed with both hands. An overnight drive from the rain and cold of England meant the boys arrived in time to qualify in fifth place for the 15-lap race.
They put their starting position to good use as they battled it out with Lawrie/Neave and Hock/Becker, to claim the third spot behind Steinhausen/Cluze and Paivarinta/Hanni at the chequered flag.
Ben's take on the outcome: “We are so grateful to John Lawson for the loan of his outfit and pleased we were able to finish in third place and return the bike unscathed”
Attention has now firmly turned to preparations for the Isle of Man TT, less than forty days away. Having already tasted a podium this year the Birchalls will be hungry for more on the World’s most exciting – and demanding – sidecar course.