The Isle of Man TT has officially launched a comprehensive review into the future of its Sidecar class after suspending the category during the 2026 event following serious safety concerns. Organisers say the review will examine a wide range of factors affecting the class, including safety, technical development, participation trends and long-term sustainability.
The decision to suspend Sidecars was announced during practice week after a crash involving Ryan and Callum Crowe at Crosby. Their outfit flipped off the course, prompting officials to halt the class with immediate effect. The incident came less than a year after a similar crash involving Peter Founds and Jevan Walmsley, increasing concerns about the safety of modern Sidecar machinery on the Mountain Course.
While the suspension generated significant debate among competitors and fans, TT organisers have stressed that the review is intended to ensure the long-term future of the class rather than simply react to one incident.
Review to examine safety and sustainability
The review process has been opened to competitors, teams, passengers, officials, industry representatives and fans, all of whom are being invited to submit feedback. Organisers have also established specialist panels that will provide expertise on technical regulations, race organisation and competitor representation.
TT Clerk of the Course Gary Thompson said the decision to suspend the class was not taken lightly and acknowledged the importance of Sidecars to the event’s history.
According to the Isle of Man TT, the review will assess several years of participation data, technical development trends and incident records before recommendations are made. A final report is expected to be published at the end of July.
The review comes at a time when motorcycle racing is facing increasing scrutiny around safety, technology and competition rules. Similar discussions about technical innovation can be seen across the sport, including recent developments surrounding the 2027 Kawasaki KX327 fuel-injected two-stroke engine, as manufacturers continue exploring new approaches to performance and machine design.
Read More
Southern 100 introduces Classic Sidecars
The effects of the TT suspension have already been felt elsewhere on the Isle of Man. Southern 100 organisers confirmed that Classic Sidecars will replace the modern Sidecar category at this year’s event after receiving approval from the Auto-Cycle Union (ACU).
Southern 100 Clerk of the Course Giles Olley praised the road racing community for helping establish a Classic Sidecar grid in a short period of time. He credited competitors, officials and supporters for ensuring sidecar racing remains part of the event despite the suspension of the modern class.
The Classic Sidecar category will operate under separate technical regulations. Eligible machines must use either two-stroke engines built before December 31, 1967, or four-stroke engines built before December 31, 1972. Classic three-wheel outfits between 300cc and 1300cc will be permitted, while the use of Suzuki GT750 engines built before December 31, 1975 remains subject to organiser approval.
In a move designed to encourage participation, all Classic Sidecar entries will be fully funded by a private benefactor. Organisers hope this will help create a competitive field when racing gets underway on the 4.25-mile Billown Circuit from July 6 to July 9.
For now, the future of modern Sidecar racing at the Isle of Man TT remains uncertain. The findings of the review are expected to play a crucial role in determining whether the class returns in its current form, undergoes significant technical changes or adopts a new structure designed to improve safety while preserving one of road racing’s most iconic categories.
Make Swikblog your go-to source on Google for reliable updates, smart insights, and daily trends.
