And their Avon-shod, Honda-powered LCR outfit was also leading the second sidecar race by almost 17 seconds before a technical issue on the third and final lap bumped them down to sixth place at the line.
Despite the disappointment of race two, the first Sure Sidecar A race win – which they led from start to finish – meant three TT wins in a row for Klaffenbock and the seventh career win for his Manx-born partner Sayle. Avon-shod machines took eight of the top ten positions in both sidecar races.
Klaffenbock said, “Three in a row is great – it was a very good race, not just against the clock but against the other guys on the road too. The second lap I went a bit steadier after a quick first lap I didn’t want to risk too much, but I saw we had plus 10. Racing at the island is never relaxing, but I’m pleased we could do the job!”
In race two a problem on the second lap saw their lead eroded to just six seconds at Ramsey, before eventual winners John Holden and Andrew Winkle took the lead at The Bungalow. Despite the pain of losing the lead in the final quarter of the race, the Avon pair managed to set the fastest top speed at Sulby straight of 148.5mph and take the fastest lap: 114.672mph.
Avon Tyres’ Motorsport Sales Manager Steve Smith says, “The win for Klaus and Dan capped another successful TT campaign for Avon Tyres. This is our 100th year of manufacturing road tyres, but over the century we have been closely linked with racing both on and off the Island. We have won 13 Supersport and four Production class championships on two wheels, as well as solo victories at the TT with the likes of Jim Moodie and Phil McCallen and on three wheels with the legendary Dave Molyneux and now Klaus Klaffenbock.”
For more on Avon Tyres’ range of road rubber, go to: www.avonmotorcycles.com and try www.avonracing.com for more on our racing efforts in 2011.
