Isle of Man TT Clerk of the Course Gary Thompson has reassured Sidecar teams that the organisers will do all they can to “preserve the class” after a decision to drop the ‘chairs’ races this year.

The controversial call was made after a serious red flag accident for four-time winners Ryan and Callum Crowe at Crosby jump on Wednesday. The Manx brothers fortunately escaped without any life-threatening injuries.

A similar accident occurred in 2025, when Peter Founds and Jevan Walmsley crashed at Rhencullen.

The incidents have raised safety concerns around the three-wheel outfits over the TT course’s famous airborne jumps.

placeholder image — Ryan and Callum Crowe were involved in a serious accident in Sidecar qualifying at the Isle of Man TT. (Photo by David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press)

On Tuesday, Maria Costello and passenger Shaun Parker were injured in a crash at Brandish. Costello was flown to Aintree in Liverpool for further treatment.

Thompson said a full review of the class and consultation with teams would be carried out in the next two months after the TT.

“We had an incident on Wednesday evening involving Callum and Ryan Crowe, which kind of mirrored a similar incident we had last year with Pete Founds and Jevan Walmsley out of Rhencullen,” he told TT+.

“In both cases, the Sidecar lifted, which pointed towards the aero flow, the aerodynamics.

“Fortunately, it didn’t end up as bad as what it could have done and nobody was seriously injured.

“But in the interest in safety for competitors, for officials, marshals and the general public, we decided to suspend Sidecar action at the TT for this year.

“Once the TT is finished, we will do a full review – both technically and operationally – with the Sidecar teams and with our technical staff just to see what we could do to preserve the class, make it more sustainable and more resilient for the future.”

Reacting to claims that the decision could spell the end for Sidecar racing at the TT, Thompson added: “We just want to take stock. It’s not the place to second-guess, to take risks, so we just want to take stock, get everyone together, have a consultation process and do what we can to preserve the class.

“We all want to see Sidecars, we want to preserve the class and have a consultation process, discuss what can be done, and hopefully improve things for Sidecars going forward.”