Rounds four and five of the 2019 FIM Sidecar World Championship, held at Assen in the Netherlands and Grobnik, Croatia have been immensely challenging for the Mansfield-based Birchall brothers. Despite showing impressive speed at both events, bad luck and misfortune hampered the boys’ performance, resulting in less-than-ideal results from both venues. Never a team to give up, the Birchalls still gave 100 percent and will go into the final round of the championship with a fighting chance of victory.

Assen started well for the One Call Insurance backed team – fastest in practice, the boys went on to place their LCR Yamaha outfit on pole position for the race. After a strong start, heavy contact by a fellow competitor into the first corner pushed the boys down to third. With a damaged gear lever making shifting difficult for Ben, the pair nevertheless pushed on and moved into second. Further contact later in the race only made things worse and now with Ben’s shift lever almost unusable and one of Tom’s handles damaged, the brothers decided to settle for second. Having shown dominant pace throughout the weekend, Birchall Racing were unquestionably denied the win, but ever-determined, looked forward to Croatia in the hunt for more points.

With the championship moving on to the Grobnik circuit just one week later, the Birchalls once again impressed by topping both practice and qualifying. Heading the grid into Saturday’s sprint race, the Birchall’s got off to a great start and led into the first series of corners. Unchallenged on track, Ben and Tom increased their lead at the front – Ben driving superbly, the brothers looked to be on for a win. On lap four, the rest of the outfits appeared from the back of the circuit but no Birchalls. The team had been forced to pull off the track when a broken fuel pipe caused their machine to come to a halt. A devastating blow to both their race and their championship.

Sunday dawned hot at the Grobnik track for the Gold Race main event. With the championship at stake, Birchall Racing had no choice but to go for the win. Another great start took the boys into the lead, leaving their competitors to fight for the remaining podium places. Putting in a masterclass of driving on the Croatian track, Ben led the field from start-to-finish to claim valuable championship points and keep them in the hunt for the title.

Going into the two-race final round at Estoril, Spain on October 19, Ben and Tom trail their main championship contenders by just seven points. With 50 points up for grabs and the Birchall’s ‘never give up’ attitude, the title is far from decided.

Ben Birchall: “It’s definitely been a frustrating couple of weeks. We made some changes to the bike before Assen and they have definitely worked – we were easily the fastest outfit at both of the last two rounds, it’s just a shame the results don’t show that. Despite the bad luck, we’re still in with a chance at the title. It’s going to be tough, no question, but we’ll do what we always do – get our heads down and give it our all. I just want to thank the whole team and our supporters for everything they do. We’ve got a good break now before the final round so we’ll go away and get everything prepped before heading over to Spain and giving 100 percent.”

Tom Birchall: “Racing is full of ups and downs and we’ve certainly had our fair share. The last two weeks were tough but on the positive side we have shown that we definitely have the pace to win and the whole team have come together for us to achieve that. Thanks to everyone for sticking by us, hopefully we can get a good run in Spain in October and come away with the win.”

Birchall Racing’s next outing in the FIM Sidecar World Championship will be the sixth and final round held at the Estoril circuit in Spain from October 19 – 20.

Photo credit: Mark Walters

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Held in glorious conditions at the Grobnik track near Rijeka in Croatia, the sixth round of the Sidecar World Championship could not have gone any better for the Mansfield-based brothers. Despite coming into the event with a sizeable points-deficit on the championship leaders, the Birchall’s determination to never give up paid off with them topping the standings in both practice and qualifying. Enjoying great pace on the track and with their LCR outfit performing perfectly, the brothers main aim was to take both race wins at the 4.168-kilometre track.

Following a red flag, Saturday’s Sprint Race was restarted for the full-distance 10-laps. Claiming the holeshot, Ben and Tom never looked back, taking their Craig Fitzpatrick prepared Yamaha to the chequered flag with a comfortable 10-second advantage over the second-placed team. Championship leaders Reeves and Wilkes unfortunately suffered engine failure during the course of the race and failed to make the finish giving the Birchalls a huge boost in the championship standings.

With renewed motivation, and their gap to the championship leaders reduced by 25 points, Ben and Tom went into Sunday’s Gold race knowing another good result would mean the title fight would move on to be decided at the final round. In 30-degree heat, the flag dropped and the Birchalls placed second into turn one. What followed was a close battle with rival Reeves for the entire first lap. Heading into lap two, Ben took the lead and once again was unchallenged for the remainder of the race, ultimately crossing the line with a commanding advantage of close to 29 seconds, setting a new lap record in the process. With Reeves and Wilkes suffering another DNF, Birchall Racing not only took maximum points for the weekend, but narrowed the gap in the championship to just one.

Ben Birchall: “I’m over the moon about the result here in Croatia, not just for myself and Tom but for the whole team and everyone who supports us. The hard work and long hours have really paid off and now we go to the final round with a great chance at clinching the championship. It was a long drive here, over the mountains of Austria and that journey mirrors the championship – we had a huge mountain to climb but we have made it and now we’re back in the fight. We have got some time now to prepare the outfit and ourselves for Germany. Hopefully we can carry this pace and form that has been with us since Assen into the final round and take the win.”

Tom Birchall: “What an amazing weekend! We came here with one goal and that was to do our best and fight for the wins. We did that and have come away with our championship campaign back on track and everything to fight for going into the last round. Thank you to all the team and sponsors, we would never be able to do this without them and hopefully can reward them with a top result in Germany.”

The seventh and final round of the 2018 FIM Sidecar World Championship will be held at Oschersleben in Germany on October 6.

Results – 2018 FIM Sidecar World Championship – Round 6, Grobnik, Croatia
Sprint Race – 10 laps
1. Birchall/Birchall, LCR Yamaha, 15:17.231
2. Päivärinta/Vervainen, LCR Honda, 15:27.923 +10.692
3. Streuer/Rousseu LCR Kawasaki, 15:40.991 +23.760

Gold Race – 18 laps
1. Birchall/Birchall, LCR Yamaha, 27:35.502
2. Streuer/Rousseu LCR Kawasaki, 28:04.430 +28.928
3. Päivärinta/Vervainen, LCR Honda, 28:06.681 +31.1

Photo credit: Mark Walters

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The Mitchells of Mansfield supported riders dominated the two qualifying sessions setting a fastest time of 1m 33.918s in the first session to take pole position for the short, 10 lap Sprint race on Saturday.

As the lights went out to start the race Paivarinta and Kainulainen got the hole shot and led the field around the first series of corners but the Birchall Brothers were hot on their heels on the LCR Yamaha R6 with Streuer/Rousseau plus Holden/Wilks in close formation a few yards behind.

By the end of lap one Ben and Tom had the lead and began to steadily pull away from the pack to cross the finish line 10.375s ahead of Holden/Wilks who had got past Paivarinta/Kainulainen to take second place.

This win put the title out of reach of their rivals resulting in the Birchall Brothers being crowned 2017 World Champions leaving them free to enjoy their second race on Sunday as champions elect with no pressure.

But there was a dramatic change of events prior to the start of the 18 lap Gold race on Sunday when spots of rain began to fall leaving the sidecar crews with the dilemma of tyre choice.

As the teams set off on the warm up lap Ben and Tom slid out of control on the exit to the first corner which threw Tom off the machine which turned on its side as it slid down the track. The reason for this was a rear tyre puncture and although the two brothers were unhurt the fairing was damaged and they were forced to sit out the race.

Having won every race until then the crash denied them the full house of wins in the world championship which was disappointing. The Birchall brothers have had a good season with a clean sweep at the Isle of Man TT races and the win in every round of the British 600 Cup they have contested and now the jewel in the crown with the World championship title means they have plenty to celebrate.

Ben said: “Tom and I are elated to be crowned world champions; we have had a fantastic season in the World Series this year and can’t thank everyone involved enough. Without our sponsors, friends and family we would have been unable to achieve this.

“The decision to go to the 600cc class early has certainly paid off for us and it’s proved the 600cc engine is the perfect choice. The decision by the FIM to make the championship 600cc was correct and the best way forward for our sport.

“We now look forward to returning home and bringing another world championship back to Mansfield.”

Ben and Tom are hoping to contest the final two rounds of the British 600cc Cup at Assen and Brands Hatch plus make their usual appearance at Darley Moor for the Stars at Darley meeting in October.

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The event will take place on the 4.168km circuit of Grobnik in Croatia, just south of Rijeka and although there are two races, the Mitchells of Mansfield supported brothers only have to complete the first race ahead of their nearest rivals, Paivarinta and Kainulainen to be crowned world champions.

Ben and Tom have spent the last couple of weeks preparing the LCR Yamaha R6 outfit for their final campaign and are confident it is in perfect condition and ready for the challenge.

Ben and Tom in Croatia last year

Ben said: “we are excited to be challenging for the world championship this weekend, the outfit is fully prepared and in perfect condition so it is just down to us two to make sure we maintain our winning streak and bring the world title back to Mansfield.”

The timetable is as below but remember that Croatia is one hour ahead of the UK.

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