TT sidecar racer death ruled 'misadventure'

A TT racer died in a 100mph crash on the final day of racing, an inquest's heard.

Ian Bell, a 58 year old company director from Bedlington in Northumberland, was racing in a sidecar team with his son Carl on Senior Race Day.

They'd already completed two laps at well over 110mph, and reached Ballaspur on their third lap when the incident happened.

Chief sector marshal David Dentith told the hearing at Douglas Courthouse he saw the sidecar coming into view with the passenger on the right of the machine - usually passengers lean out to the left there.

Coroner of Inquests John Needham heard the LCR600 Yahama ran wide into the corner, hitting crash barriers before idling to a stop on the opposite side of the road.

Mr Bell died instantaneously from massive blunt force trauma, including injuries to his body, head and neck.

Investigators could find nothing wrong with the machine or the road surface, while conditions were bright and sunny - described as perfect for racing.

Video footage from an on-bike camera and one at the side of the road gave no hints why Mr Bell lost control.

Mr Needham recorded a verdict of misadventure.