TT 2018: Birchall brothers blast to Sidecar win with three-wheel record

Ben and Tom Birchall tore up the history books at the Isle of Man TT this evening with a stunning victory in the opening sidecar race.

After delays earlier in the day, the Sidecar action initially got underway at 1600 local time but an incident on the opening lap brought a significant delay.

With both riders involved in the crash reported to be conscious as they were taken to Nobles for treatment, the race would eventually get underway at 1900.

The Birchalls were on it from the off, shattering their own lap record from a standing start with an average speed of 115.702mph before going on to annihilate that on the second lap with the first 118mph sidecar lap at 118.69mph.

Dominating from start to finish, the Birchalls took their fourth consecutive TT victory having won every race since Race 2 in 2016.

John Holden and Lee Cain crossed the line second, 47 seconds behind the winners having set their quickest ever lap while Tim Reeves and Mark Wilkes completed the podium.

Peter Founds and Jevan Walmsley were fourth ahead of Alan Founds and Jake Lowther with Conrad Harrison and Andrew Winkle rounding out the top six.

Darren Hope and Lenny Bumfrey took seventh ahead of Gary and Daryl Gibson while Gary Bryan and Philip Hyde and Gregory Lambert and Julie Canipa completed the top ten.