TT racers' ID will be 'spot checked' after mistaken identity issue

Changes for 2023 following fatal sidecar crash

TT racers will now be ‘spot checked’ before practice and race sessions to ensure they’re carrying identification.

It’s one of the changes made following a case of mistaken identity after a crash at last year’s event which claimed the lives of two French sidecar competitors.

32-year-old César Chanal died at the scene near Ago’s Leap, on 4 June, but because he was carrying his teammate’s ID he was wrongly identified.

This meant TT organisers mistakenly announced the death of his passenger Olivier Lavorel; Mr Lavorel did later die from the injuries he’d sustained in the incident.

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At the inquest into Mr Chanal’s death, which was reconvened at Douglas Courthouse yesterday (16 February), the court heard competitors’ ‘dog tags’ were not checked prior to entering the course.

Instead riders were only required to show their identification, and their personal protective equipment, at a sign-on process before the event started; something the French duo did do.

Giving evidence Clerk of the Course Gary Thompson said regulations instructed competitors to wear their ID on chains, around their necks, but he confirmed to the court no checks were carried out.

The court had previously heard that Mr Chanal and Mr Lavorel didn’t have chains for their ID on the day and had instead put the tags – which had been swapped - in their leathers.

Addressing this point Mr Thompson said he’d heard rumours in the paddock that this had been deliberate and there was a suggestion it could have been as part of a ‘superstition’ by French racers.

He confirmed that as a result of the incident a Sidecar Working Group has been set up and a number of rules have been changed ahead of this year’s TT.

Racers must carry their own ID, around their neck, and have identification sewn into their leathers; sidecar competitors will also have to wear elasticated armbands.  

Spot checks will be carried out in the assembly area before riders go to the start line – anyone found contravening the rules will be stopped from progressing to the circuit until the issue is rectified.

An MOT check for sidecar outfits, prior to the event, will also be introduced so that the technical director can ensure machinery is in a good condition to practice.

Scrutineers will also be provided with electronic devices so they can take pictures of the sidecars as they pass through the technical inspections.

Mr Chanal’s inquest will reconvene at 10am today (17 February).