Crowe Victory Gives Yokohama 15 Consecutive Isle of Man Wins

Two wins for Yokohama-shod Nick Crowe in the sidecar class of this year’s Isle of Man TT races brings the Japanese tyre manufacturer’s string of success on the island to 15 consecutive years. Yokohama comments that not only did the winner of both races feature its tyres, so did the full podium for each race, as well as 2/3 of the runners in the class.

Crowe, who holds the sidecar lap record, faced a battle with Dave Molyneux, who himself has 13 race wins on the island. Molyneux led the field away on the first of this year’s two races but, within yards of the pit lane, was forced to retire with mechanical problems. This opened the way for another Yokohama rider, John Holden to take the early lead, followed by Crowe and new passenger Mark Cox. Crowe soon cut the six-second deficit to Holden and by the end of the first lap, had managed to get past and began to open his lead out, by setting the fastest lap of the race on lap two. Holden worked hard to try to stay in touch with the lap record-holder but Crowe proved unassailable and reached the chequered flag with a 20-second margin over second-placed Holden.

World championship regular Tim Reeves, also running Yokohama tyres, proved his ability by coming home in third place and as a result, became the first newcomer to record a podium finish since 1978.

For the second race, Molyneux had his machine back on song and led the field and the race, for the first lap. However, on the second tour of the island, Crowe was again able to take the lead from his rival and began to try to pull away. However, Molyneux remained, as it were, glued to the rear of Crowe’s machine for the remaining two laps. Such was the pace of the two Yokohama front-runners that by the time they reached the end of the race, they had a 34-second margin over Holden.

After the race, Crowe said; “I knew that if both our bikes were going, it would be a close race. When you are running in a race like that, you know each other’s abilities. Moly could run within yards of the back of my bike and he’s safe. That makes safe and interesting racing.”

While Molyneux was clearly disappointed not to take another win to add to his 13, he was pleased to get second. “It’s a new bike this year and that usually brings some gremlins. I knew I was taking on a challenge and it was harder than I thought it would be. But overall, I’m happy with the result.”

Commenting after the races, Yokohama HPT Ltd’s Motorsport manager, Mark Evans, said: “I’m delighted to add Yokohama’s congratulations to Nick and Mark. It is especially poignant after Nick set a new lap record at last year’s event on Yokohama tyres but was denied the race spoils through mechanical failure. This year’s result demonstrates his ability and the close racing and excitement that are possible when you have exceptional riders who trust each other.

“I am also delighted to see so many Yokohama riders enjoying success. For both podiums to be filled with Yokohama-shod outfits is a fantastic achievement. I think that, and the fact that we have now enjoyed 15 consecutive years with a race win on the island at the TT, clearly demonstrates that the brand is undoubtedly the best product for the unique conditions at the Isle of Man. We now look forward to supporting the teams looking for success at next year’s TT.”