until Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League
Manx brothers Ryan and Callum Crowe have ensured a perfect end to their 2024 Isle of Man TT by doubling up for a second victory from two starts in the sidecar class.
They took a controlled victory in the delayed and shortened race ahead of former class master Ben Birchall and new passenger Kevin Rousseau.
Able to start Thursday’s race despite missing the opening race due to a practice crash that required extensive repairs to their outfit, Birchall and Rousseau were able to start the 14-time TT winner Ben’s first race without retired brother Tom as his passenger - but, down on experience and still getting to know the Frenchman, the pair were unable to match his previous TT-winning pace.
Instead it was the Crowes who set the pace in the lead, just about breaking the 120mph average speed mark on the last lap to take victory over Birchall and Rousseau by a comfortable 20 seconds after only two laps of the shortened race, which was first moved from Wednesday and then red flagged on Thursday morning after the leaders had completed only three-quarters of a lap.
Third was also something of a Manx surprise, too, as veteran sidecar driver and 17-time TT winner Dave Molyneux returned to the podium for the first time since 2017, with the 60-year-old and his new passenger Jake Roberts finishing over a minute down on Birchall and Rousseau.
The next race was originally scheduled to be the Supersport TT at 1530 local time, but with rain hitting the island shortly after the conclusion of the sidecar race, it has now been delayed until at least 1830.
