Nick Crowe (sidecar racer)
| Nick Crowe | |||||||||||||||
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| Nationality | Manxman | ||||||||||||||
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Nick Crowe is a 5 time Isle of Man TT Winner and 2008 British F2 Champion of sidecar racing. He started his career as a passenger before switching to driver in 2000, handing the passenger seat to his childhood friend Darren Hope. He is the TT sidecar lap record holder.
In 2001 the TT races were canceled, so Nick and Darren concentrated on different races in the UK and the Isle of Man. The next year was a good year for the pair. In 2004, with the purchase of Dave Molyneux's outfit, the team could go faster in the southern hundred and Jurby, and in the TT. 2005 brought Nick's first TT win in Race A, beating rival Dave Molyneux, although he came second in Race B.
In 2006, the A & J Groundworks outfit won the Double, both Race A and B. In 2007, with new passenger Daniel Sayle, Crowe set the fastest-ever sidecar lap, which remains unbeaten As of 2012. However, the team were forced to retire from the lead in both races. With another new passenger, Mark Cox, Crowe won both Race 1 and 2 in 2008. In 2009, Crowe and Cox are on a Honda HMplant/Dave Hudspeth Carpets F2 600cc.
Crowe and Cox qualified in pole for the 2009 event but suffered mechanical failure whilst leading race one.
In race two the pair crashed heavily at the 17 mile marker (Ballacob) on lap 1 and were taken to by air Noble's Hospital with serious fractures.[1] The crash was caused by a hare running onto the course in front of the duo. The race was cancelled, as was the following practice for the senior TT. Nick has since been flown to the UK where he has undergone a number of operations. He is now back on the island, still involved in sidecar racing. Nick owns his own team consisting of Simon Neary and Paul Napton Sponsored by HMPLANT and Dave Hudspeth Carpets. The Duo will start at number 3.
Despite being currently unable to race, Nick still owns the sidecar lap record with 2007 passenger Daniel Sayle.
For TT 2011, Nicks team consisting of driver Simon Neary and passenger Jason Slous pulled out after the 2nd practice.
References
- ↑ "Sidecar pair remain in hospital". BBC Sport. 11 June 2009. Retrieved 3 February 2011.