Isle of Man TT: Nick Crowe takes fourth victory in sidecar race A

Nick Crowe has won his fourth Isle of Man sidecar race this afternoon in the Sidecar A battle.

Crowe, who had new passenger Mark Cox with him in the LCR Honda, beat second placed crew of John Holden / Andrew Winkle by 19.44secs with a total time of the three lap race recorded at 59mins 22.8secs.

And there was also celebrations for the current world champions Tim Reeves and Patrick Ferrance as the pair came home in third place on the LCR Suzuki on their Isle of Man TT debut to record a third podium of the weekend already for the TAS Suzuki team.

The pair are the first debutants to get on the podium in their first sidecar race at the TT since 1977.

As has become a normality for the Isle of Man TT festival, this race did not pass without drama as pre-race favourite and double 2007 winner Dave Molyneux had to finish his race only at the end of the pit lane.

And also popular with the fans, Klaus Klaffenbock / Christian Parzer had to retire on lap one at the Ramsey area.

But showing his skill, Crowe had been chasing early leader Holden throughout the opening lap and only at around the half way stage going towards Ballaugh Bridge on lap two did he manage to pass the Lancastrian. But from there the only way was forward as Crowe continued to extend his lead gradually to gain his 19 second victory.

Holden / Winkle did secure the bragging rights as the fastest men on the circuit for the Isle of Man TT sidecar race A as they recorded 146.800mph through the Sulby speedtrap on the final lap of the 37.73 mile course.

After the race Nick Crowe said: “The bike wasn’t very fast so I was struggling for a while. I feel sorry for Dave (Molyneux) but I felt it wasn’t ideal conditions.

Crowe’s excited passenger, Mark Cox, added after his first victory: “I didn’t even know we had won, I didn’t put my head up. It’s like Christmans isn’t it!”

Lap watch

Lap one:

John Holden / Andrew Winkle, Nick Crowe / Mark Cox, Steve Norbury / Rick Long, Simon Neary / Jamie Winn, Phil Dongworth / Stuart Castle, Tim Reeves / Patrick Farrance

Lap two:

Nick Crowe / Mark Cox, John Holden / Andrew Winkle, Simon Neary / Jamie Winn, Tim Reeves / Patrick Farrance, Phil Dongworth / Stuart Castle, Nigel Connole / Dipash Chauhan

Lap three:

Nick Crowe / Mark Cox, John Holden / Andrew Winkle, Tim Reeves / Patrick Farrance, Phil Dongworth / Stuart Castle, Nigel Connole / Dipash Chauhan, Douglas Wright / Stuart Bond