It would take until 1954 before sidecars would return to the island although, even then, racing for the three wheelers (along with the smaller capacity solo classes) would take place over the new Clypse course, a 10.79-mile circuit running on roads in and around the parish of Onchan.
In 1960 the sidecars returned to the traditional Mountain course, and they have been a permanent fixture ever since. A 750cc sidecar TT was added in 1968, sitting alongside the traditional 500s, and over the years the capacities and class regulations have evolved to reflect the engines being built for performance road motorcycles, and with an eye to safety. The 1980s had seen 750cc two-strokes and 1300cc four-strokes allowed at the TT, but safety concerns led to the introduction of Formula Two regulations (600cc four-stroke and 350cc two-strokes) from 1990. Today’s technical rules remain an evolution of these, with twins like the 890cc KTM allowed in alongside the 600cc four-cylinder machines.
Speeds had been getting higher and higher at the TT, with Dick Greasley and Mick Skeels setting the first 100mph lap in 1977 – with the great Jock Taylor upping that to an average of over 108mph within five years. Dave Saville was the first pilot to lap at over 110mph, in 1990. Local star Dave Molyneux was the dominant force in the 1990s and the early 2000s, winning 17 TTs between 1989 and 2014, while the current lap record was set by the Birchall brothers, Ben and Tom, who have dominated the event in recent years. The pair have won 12 TTs since 2012 and have upped the lap record to an incredible 119.25mph - tantalisingly close to the magical 120.
This year’s event will see a parade of some of the most historic sidecar outfits from TT history. Scheduled for Saturday 10 June, just before the Milwaukee Senior TT. Molyneux, the most successful sidecar competitor of all time, will drive the 750cc Bregazzi Yamaha with which he won his first TT in 1989 and he’ll be partnered by eight-time winning passenger Daniel Sayle. They'll be joined by the Birchall brothers on their latest LCR Honda, with 10-time TT winner Rob Fisher completing the parade on his 1996 Baker Yamaha. The legends will be filmed for an upcoming documentary due for release on TT+ later in the year.
