The Isle of Man TT took the unprecedented decision to call its sidecar class races off for 2026 after a dramatic crash during qualifying. Simon Patterson explains what happened, and the full story around the efforts to keep sidecar speeds under control, plus what could be done for 2027. 00:00 An unprecedented decision 01:20 The Crowe brothers' crash 03:30 Sidecars' speed increases 06:04 Floor tricks 07:06 What could be done for 2027
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In Le Mans style car racing they changed the regs so the wheel arches had to be vented at the top so air pressure couldn't build under the car if the angle of relative wind changed to be under the leading edge.
If the Crowe boys got caught out this is not a skill issue. There is clearly something fundamentally incompatible between current sidecar aero design and the TT course. TT will always be dangerous but it's not random danger. The danger is managed and controlled by immense skill. But a outfit that flips with no real warning and this sensitive to wind is unacceptable.
That looked like an aerodynamic issue. Wind under the sidecar lifted it like an aircraft wing.
Thanks for the detailed explanation. I missed the aero changes completely.
I'm honestly surprised they've went with flat floors to begin with. You don't have to look far to see what air getting under a vehicle leads to.
Excellent explanation on a very important subject, which I hope is resolved soon to the betterment of the sidecar class.
Simon’s presentation skills, knowledge and explanation are excellent! 👌
Looks like the new regulations have been a disaster and need serious review. The aero downforce design needs to be looked at as it clearly is a problem if the bike becomes airborne due to the nature of the road surface undulations.
Simon’s TT reporting has given him the chance to show he is the best journalist in The Race 👍
Thanks for the update Simon! 🍻
Wow, absolutely class video explaining it and covering the fact that this isn't the end and how nobody wants that. Great job, thanks for the coverage!
This is an excellent explanation. Thanks.
It's fortunate that the Crowe brother's crash wasn't more serious than it was both for them and nearby spectators and the rules can now be adapted with the lesson learned; if it had been worse and involved spectators (given what happened on Monday) that might have been the end of the chairs at the TT altogether
My uncle was the consultant radiologist in Douglas for a time. He said that never in a long career had he seen such hideous injuries as he was faced with during TT week. The organisers are right to be conservative here - the stakes are too high.
A mechanical linkage to an aerofoil on the nose would help. If the fork extends full the aerofoil deploys to push it back down
Very similar to Mark Webbers Merc going airborne at Le Mans. Seems like an aero issue It’s not just a speed issue. Small aircraft can take off at half this sped
A circuit with launching ramps like the TT course will always be dangerous for vehicles that have the potential to fly once the air gets under them. Le Mans has had similar issues with the cars taking off that ultimately brought about the chicanes on the Mulsanne straight. Perhaps the sidecars require something similar to slow them before the known danger points or restrict their development and have outfits specific to the TT with compromised aerodynamics.
Something caused the left front side of the outfit to lift due to airflow or air pressure issues... What has changed on that bike where its never ever done it before ??
Excellent review mate. subbed
Dustbin fairings on solos had to go and solutions were found. Let's hope a fix is found quickly.