Sidecar TT legend Tom Birchall retires from racing
Tom Birchall, the most successful sidecar passenger in Isle of Man TT history, has announced his retirement from professional racing
Tom Birchall will skip the 2024 Isle of Man TT races, having announced his full retirement from racing.
Birchall has become the most successful sidecar passenger in the history of the Isle of Man TT during his road racing career, in which he has competed alongside his older brother, Ben.
Together, the famous Birchall Brothers have won every Isle of Man TT race they have finished since 2013, and have recorded a number of lap record milestones, culminating in the first ever 120mph lap of the TT Mountain Course for a sidecar achieved at the 2023 event.
Birchall has also found success on the short circuits in his career, which has seen him win four Sidecar World Championship titles.
Speaking on the announcement, Tom Birchall said: “It’s not been an easy decision to make by any means, but it’s now 20 years since I first got in an outfit alongside Ben and it’s 10 years since we took our first TT win, something we dreamt about as kids when we used to come on family holidays to watch. And so having achieved what we have and having broken that 120mph barrier this year, the timing feels as right as it can do.
“The TT is the pinnacle for me and while it might only be a couple weeks of the year, it takes a lot of sacrifices and hard work all year round to get to a level that allows us to keep pushing and pushing.
“Now feels like the time to take a break from that cycle and start a new chapter in life, but Ben knows I’ll always be there in any way I can to keep the Birchall name on top.
“The list of people to thank is too long, but I’d like to give a special mention to the marshals and the medics, and the amazing TT fans that have made racing on the Island so special for me over the years. It’s been a real privilege and an honour.”
Ben Birchall’s career will continue in 2024, albeit with a new passenger who is yet to be named. With 14 TT wins, Ben Birchall is only three shy of the record for a sidecar driver, held by Dave Molyneux with 17 wins.
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