A brutal 24 hours on a small British island might have permanently endangered the future of one of motorsport’s most unique events. Maria Costello and Shaun Parker were rounding Brandish Corner at the Isle of Man TT’s Snaefell Mountain Course in late May when they struck a small rabbit while traveling at nearly 160 mph.
This sort of collision might not make much of a difference when piloting a standard race car, but Costello and Parker were in anything but. In fact, Costello’s No. 28 LCR Honda F2 doesn’t even qualify as a traditional four-wheel model, but rather as a purpose-built motorcycle sidecar racer.
The accident sent both Costello and Parker to the hospital, though the driver took the brunt of the damage. Costello suffered fractures in both her T5 and T6 vertebrae, along with a broken arm, multiple broken ribs, and even a Grade 4 liver laceration. Parker didn’t fare much better, suffering multiple fractures, a collapsed lung, and facial injuries.
The incident resulted in a red flag that ended the sidecar qualifying session, but the Mountain Course wasn’t quite done yet. The very next day, reigning Sidecar TT winners Ryan and Callum Crowe flipped their sidecar rig over the Crosby Leap section of the famed Isle of Man TT circuit. The brothers emerged with relatively minor, non-life-threatening injuries. While Costello and Parker’s accident was something of a fauna-induced fluke, the Crowe collision raised real concerns about the speed and stability of modern sidecar racing, with reports indicating that the Crowes briefly became airborne before the crash.
After suffering two noteworthy crashes in less than a day, Isle of Man TT organizers decided to suspend all remaining sidecar competition for the 2026 event. The island’s other marquee racing event, the Southern 100, followed suit in early June, announcing that sidecars would be excluded for the coming season.
While both moves have been characterized as temporary pauses rather than permanent bans, the high-profile accidents have put the sidecar-based events in the crosshairs. What is motorcycle sidecar racing, why does it have race organizers so nervous, and can the sport withstand the increased scrutiny that comes with the Isle of Man TT incidents? Saddle up as we explore this niche event and the dangers involved.
What Is Motorcycle Sidecar Racing?
From Wallace and Gromit to Batman and Robin, and Indiana Jones to Tintin, the motorcycle sidecar has long been a part of pop culture. While these movies and cartoons might make the sidecar seem like a relatively benign form of transportation, modern motorcycle sidecar racing is a whole different story.
First of all, a motorcycle sidecar racing rig, often referred to as a “sidecar outfit,” is nothing like the bulbous ride immortalized by everyone’s favorite claymation odd couple. While they share a three-wheeled design, sidecar outfits require the passenger to play a much more active role in cornering.
The sidecar is actually little more than a low-slung platform that allows the passenger to throw their full weight into every turn. While the driver is responsible for throttle, braking, and steering, the passenger has to constantly move around the platform, shifting their body to keep the machine balanced as they carve through corners, or ducking behind the nose to better cut through the air on a straightaway.
Make a left turn, and the sidecar passenger will throw their body right over the nose or front wheel. During a right-hand turn, the passenger is responsible for keeping the sidecar from lifting off the ground, which often means leaning way off the edge. It’s easy to imagine how these sorts of automotive acrobatics can lead to a serious accident, especially when you consider the power that’s at play.
Take Costello’s LCR Honda F2 sidecar outfit, for example. The rig is powered by a high-revving, 599 cc liquid-cooled I-4 engine that leaves little room for error, given the top speed it can reach. Costello is no stranger to speed and actually set a Guinness World Record back in 2004 when she completed the Isle of Man TT’s Mountain Course at an average speed of 114.73 mph.
Sheer speed is just one of the risks involved in the high-octane sport. Neither the driver nor the passenger enjoys much protection when speeding through a closed course, and the sidecar outfit’s open-wheel design always carries some risks. Throw in the constant weight transfer that requires precise communication between driver and sidecar passenger, plus the fact that you’re rising just inches above the pavement, and it’s easy to see how even the smallest mistake can turn into a life-changing event.
The Crowe Crash: A Case Study
The Crowe brothers’ crash illustrates the dangers of high-speed sidecar racing. A perfect storm of extreme speed, aerodynamic challenges, and the unique sidecar design saw the siblings catch a little too much air, causing the whole vehicle to flip after cresting an elevated stretch of road.
There were four key issues that led to the Crowe crash. First, a three-wheeled motorcycle is fundamentally different from the traditional two-wheel design. While a solo motorcycle allows drivers to lean into each corner to keep the tires firmly in contact with the road, the three-wheeled design of a sidecar outfit can lead to a sudden, dangerous shift in weight distribution when you hit a crest at high speeds.
Second is the design of the sidecar itself. A normal, road-faring sidecar usually looks like a sheet-metal pod. The relatively flat, wing-like design of a sidecar outfit presents obvious aerodynamic problems. The platform can generate tremendous lift, especially at high speeds. The Crowes experienced the ravages of physics firsthand as the front of their sidecar outfit rose and rotated at Crosby Leap.
Third, the passenger’s position creates additional risk. Callum Crowe, who was riding shotgun during the incident, was far more exposed than your average passenger. In fairness, protection is always a bit limited in motorcycle racing, but the passenger is particularly exposed as they move around the platform.
Finally, there’s the Mountain Course itself. The circuit isn’t a purpose-built racetrack, but rather a public roadway temporarily closed for the Isle of Man TT. This is one of the most unique aspects of the legendary event, and also one of the most dangerous.
While dedicated race tracks are designed with predictable surfaces, safety barriers, controlled surroundings, and runoff areas that allow drivers to come to a quick stop when they leave the paved road, the Mountain Curse offers few such amenities. From stone walls and sudden elevation changes to trees and minuscule escape zones, it’s easy for things to go wrong when you’re racing on a public road.
What’s Next For The Sidecar Circuit?
The Crowes’ experience also played a part in the Isle of Man TT organizers’ decision to cancel the remaining sidecar events. It’s easy to understand the thinking here. If two of the world’s preeminent sidecar racers are susceptible to such a gnarly accident, what chance does the average entrant have at avoiding an ambulance ride?
The high-profile Isle of Man TT accidents put a pause on the sidecar fun for 2026. Organizers are currently conducting a sidecar sustainability review, consulting with competitors, teams, and other stakeholders to determine the best path forward. The event is likely to return, albeit with some possible changes to technical specifications and modifications around bodywork, aerodynamics, and high-speed stability.
That said, not everyone is following suit. The sport’s premier racing series, the FIM Sidecar World Championship, plans to stick with its announced 2026 schedule, but there’s an important difference between this event and the iconic Isle of Man races. While the Isle of Man TT and Southern 100 are both run on public roads, the FIM Sidecar World Championship takes place on seven dedicated race tracks across six European countries. These tracks offer many of the safety features mentioned above, which go a long way toward assuaging any fears of an Isle of Man TT repeat.
The FIM Sidecar World Championship has already completed more than half of the 2026 season, though it hasn’t been entirely without incident. During Round 3 action at Pau-Arnos, France, Todd Ellis and Emmanuelle Clément flipped their sidecar outfit after entering a skid on the fifth lap. Both walked away without serious injuries, though the race was red-flagged and ended early.
What does this all mean for the future of sidecar racing? Risks have always been a big part of motorsport, and while high-profile injuries to record holders and established names like Costello and the Crowes are always tough to hear about, they’re often seen as an inevitable part of the perilous pastime. Costello continues to recuperate from her life-changing injury, but is ultimately unlikely to return to the paddock. Parker is on the mend, while the Crowes also continue their recovery.
Sidecar racing is always going to come with its risks, but are a few accidents enough to sideline this entrancing example of teamwork, bravery, and raw speed? While organizers have to ask themselves some tough questions around the associated risks, pushing the envelope has long been a part of the fun. A few safeguards could go a long way towards preserving the sport, but it’s tough to know what the future might hold.
