Decision made following two separate crashes ahead of official races
Isle of Man TT organizers have decided to suspend all sidecar class events for the remainder of the 2026 event following the second red flag of the week during sidecar qualifying sessions.
The team of rider Maria Costello and passenger Shaun Parker crashed during their second qualifying lap on May 26. Both of them were reportedly conscious and talking following the crash and were taken to hospital for treatment. Costello reportedly suffered head injuries and remains in hospital in serious but stable condition. Parker is also still in hospital being treated for chest, leg, arm, and facial injuries.
On May 27, the brother team of Ryan Crowe and Callum Crowe crashed during another qualifying session. Both riders were taken to hospital. As of this writing, Ryan Crowe is reportedly being treated for arm injuries. Callum Crowe is being treated for shoulder injuries. The Crowe brothers were at the top of the leader board after the first qualifying session, with a 47.2 second gap over second.
Race organizers made the decision to suspend all sidecar activity after a technical and operational review after the Crowe brothers’ crash. Cancelling an entire class was no easy choice, and especially disappointing for the teams who have invested a lot of time and money into this year’s TT, but ultimately, safety is the primary concern.
The 2026 Isle of Man TT introduced a new requirement that all sidecars be fitted with a standardized restrictor plate to reduce overall speeds and bring the field much closer together. In theory, this move should improve safety, but it’d be interesting to see if the change factored into the decision to cancel the sidecar class.
Begin Press Release:
STATEMENT ISSUED AT 12:15 ON 28 MAY 2026
Following an incident involving a Sidecar team during the third Qualifying Session of the 2026 Isle of Man TT Races, the Race Organisation initiated an immediate technical and operational review to assess the circumstances surrounding the incident and the continued participation of the Sidecar class at the event.
Following that review, in conjunction with the Event Promoter, a decision has been taken to suspend the Sidecar class for the remainder of the 2026 Isle of Man TT Races.
This precautionary measure has been implemented in the interests of competitor and spectator safety and reflects the Race Organisation’s commitment to reviewing all aspects of event safety and operational delivery whenever an incident occurs.
All sidecar competitors and teams involved in the event have been briefed by Race Officials on the outcome of the initial review and the next stages of the assessment process.
We recognise the long-standing history of Sidecar racing at the TT, together with the commitment of the competitors, teams and supporters involved in the class. This decision has not been taken lightly. However, the safety of competitors, spectators, marshals, officials and all those involved in the event must remain the priority.
Further updates will be provided in due course through official Isle of Man TT Races channels.
