Ben and Tom Birchall make history as they claim Isle of Man TT sidecar double

A few days after winning the first Isle of Man TT race, Ben and Tom Birchall dominated the shortened second race to claim their seventh-straight victory and make it a landmark double.

The Birchall Racing duo finished 20.5 seconds clear of John Holden and Lee Cain, stretching a narrow first lap lead over the second lap.

That meant they were able to celebrate their 10th TT win to equal sidecar legend Rob Fisher, making them joint-second most successful in the class.

The victory on Thursday - the race was brought forward a day because of the threat of rain - means Tom is the most successful passenger in the history of the TT, since the first TT race in 1907.

The brothers also hold the sidecar lap record, close to an average speed of 120 mph for the 37 and three-quarter mile lap.

After the pair won both races, led every lap and posted the fastest lap time in each of the two outings, Ben said: “It’s the end of long week and it’s a perfect result for us.

“The crowd were amazing all the way around. We came for the wins and got them. We’re both delighted.

“It’s feels great to get another TT double.

“It’s a real honour to have equalled the win record of a legend such as Rob Fisher.

“It takes a lot of work, but it’s not just me and Tom – (race technicians/crew chiefs) Jim (Brindley) and Edd (Mitchell) have had as many wins as we have and we couldn’t do it without them.

“Most of our sponsors have done the same too, it’s fantastic that we can keep doing what we do and rely on the constant support of so many.

“It’s been an amazing TT for us, but I’m thankful for some time to relax.

“We have a world championship to defend now, but I’m already looking forward to coming back next year.”

Tom added: “It’s all been a bit of a dream really - it’s difficult to find the words. To win 10 now is unbelievable.

“We all put everything into it, families, supporters everyone – they are with us through the bad times so it’s good to be able to reward them with the good times like this.

“The TT consumes you for so long on the run up to the event, it’s all you ever think about.

“To be successful here takes an incredible amount of work and you never get it 100 per cent right – you are always learning.

“When it comes together there’s no feeling like it, the conditions out there were beautiful and it’s great to see so many crowds cheering you on.”

To top off an amazing event, Ben and Tom also won the Motul Award for Technical Excellence. Their LCR outfits filled the three podium positions in both races and close to half the sidecar field is made up by LCR machines.