- Sidecar class suspended during the 2026 TT after multiple serious accidents
- Written submissions accepted until midnight on June 30, 2026, final report due by end of July 2026
- Review assesses sporting, technical and operational factors as well as entry numbers and accident data
The sidecar class has been a fixture of the Tourist Trophy on the Snaefell Mountain Course for decades. Following a series of serious incidents during this year’s event, the category was initially suspended entirely. The organizers have now announced a formal review process to assess the long-term viability and sustainability of the class. The statement was published on June 11, 2026.
Why is the Isle of Man TT reviewing the future of the sidecar class?
The review follows the suspension of the sidecar class during the 2026 TT, which was decided after multiple serious accidents. The organizers aim to determine whether and in what form sidecar racing can continue at the event in the future.
The immediate suspension was triggered by an accident involving defending champions Ryan and Callum Crowe, whose outfit took off at the fast section near Crosby during qualifying on Wednesday evening. Both sustained injuries that the organizers described as non-life-threatening. Clerk of the Course Gary Thompson stated during the event that a thorough review of the class would follow after the TT concluded, with the goal of preserving it and making it more resilient for the future.
How does the sustainability review work and what is the deadline?
The review examines the sidecar class based on sporting, technical and operational factors and is supported by several expert panels. These panels are intended to contribute expertise in areas such as technical regulations, race organization and competitor representation.
As part of the process, written submissions are expressly encouraged from riders, teams, officials, industry representatives, spectators and all other interested parties. Contributions can be submitted until midnight on June 30, 2026. In addition to the received feedback, the review evaluates a range of data sets including historical and projected entry numbers, accident data, operational aspects and other metrics related to the viability of the class. A final report is expected to be completed by the end of July 2026 and subsequently published.
Which accidents led to the suspension of sidecars at the 2026 TT?
The suspension was triggered by the crash of the Crowe brothers’ outfit at Crosby, but it was not the only serious incident during this year’s event. There had already been further accidents with some serious consequences prior to that.
In an incident unrelated to the Crowes, rider Maria Costello and her passenger Shaun Parker crashed in the section at Brandish. Both sustained serious injuries. Costello, who has been competing on the Isle of Man since 1996, is reported to have been paralyzed from the chest down. A fundraising campaign was set up for her on the GoFundMe platform, which according to reports had already raised more than the equivalent of €185,000 / $203,000. On the same day as the Costello and Parker accident, solo rider Daniel Ingham lost his life after crashing at Doran’s Bend during an earlier qualifying session. On the opening day, eight spectators and one rider had already been injured in an untimed session when a motorcycle went into the crowd at Parliament Square.
What role do aerodynamics and a changed regulation play?
At the center of the technical discussion is the behavior of the outfits at high speed, specifically the machines becoming airborne. Clerk of the Course Gary Thompson pointed out that the Crowe brothers’ accident resembled a similar incident from the previous year, when the outfit of Peter Founds and Jevan Walmsley crashed at Rhencullen.
In both cases the outfit lifted off, which points to aerodynamics and airflow, according to Thompson. Observers link the incidents to a recent regulation change to the underfloor of the sidecars, which is said to have compromised aerodynamic safety. Mobile phone footage recorded by spectators reportedly shows an outfit lifting off at a slight crest like a glider. These assessments have not yet been conclusively confirmed and are likely to be subject to further technical evaluation.
What does the race management of the Isle of Man TT say?
Race management emphasizes that the decision to suspend was not taken lightly and that the review process is designed to be open-ended. Gary Thompson, who is responsible for the process, describes it as one that should be “open, balanced and evidence-led.”
Thompson also makes clear that the review does not focus solely on this year’s events but examines the class over a period of several years, including the development of entry numbers, technical evolution and accident data. The organizers further emphasize that the sustainability review is expressly separate from a safety investigation or the examination of a single accident. These are subject to their own established procedures, which fall under the sole responsibility of race organizer ACU Events Ltd. Support also comes from the paddock: 14-time sidecar winner Tom Birchall endorsed the decision and described it as a pure safety decision. He is convinced that the sidecars have a permanent place at the event and that the organizers fully support the class.
What are the consequences of the decision for other sidecar races?
The suspension at the TT is already affecting other races on the island. The Southern 100 Club cancelled its sidecar races planned for this summer.
The club stated that the complex aerodynamic and technical questions surrounding the prototype class could not be responsibly resolved within the remaining approximately five weeks before their own event. They described the step as a temporary pause to secure the long-term future of the category, and expressed their intention to participate in the broader consultation process together with the TT organizer, the promoter and experts. The goal is a safe return of the class to the Billown Course in 2027. The Southern 100 is raced on a 4.25-mile course and uses sidecar regulations closely aligned with the TT, which is why concerns raised there are directly transferable. This places the sidecar suspension within an overall difficult 2026 TT season that was additionally marked by weather-related cancellations.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Why was the sidecar class suspended at the 2026 Isle of Man TT?
The sidecar class was suspended after multiple serious accidents. The immediate trigger was the crash of the Ryan and Callum Crowe outfit at Crosby, in addition to further serious incidents during the event.
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What is the deadline for the sidecar class review?
Written submissions can be made until midnight on June 30, 2026. The final report is expected to be completed and published by the end of July 2026.
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Who can participate in the review?
Riders, teams, officials, industry representatives, spectators and all other interested parties can participate in the review. Submissions are to be sent by email to the organizers.
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What do aerodynamics have to do with the accidents?
According to race management, the outfits lifted off in the affected crashes, which points to airflow and aerodynamics. Observers link this to a regulation change to the underfloor, though conclusive confirmation is still pending.
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Are sidecar races still taking place at other events?
The Southern 100 has cancelled its sidecar races for 2026. A return of the class to the Billown Course is targeted for 2027.
