THREE times sidecar TT winner and former world champion Klaus Klaffenböck has made the somewhat surprise announcement that he is retiring from TT racing with immediate effect.
The Austrian racer, winner of TTs in 2004, 2010 and 2011, said yesterday that he had already “exceeded his ambitions” with regard to the Isle of Man TT but felt the moment was right to announce his retirement from competing on the mountain course.
Klaffenböck began racing at the TT in 2004 and won both sidecar races in 2010. He also finished first in the Sure Sidecar 1 Race in 2011 with Manxman Dan Sayle, before breaking down in the second race. He is the first Austrian TT winner since Rupert Hollaus won the Ultra-Lightweight race in 1954.
“It was always my ambition to win a TT Race so by winning three I have already exceeded my ambition,” he said. “I will maintain an involvement with the races in the future as it has always been such a special event for me and I am also extremely fond of the Island.
“I’d like to thank my passenger Dan Sayle along with all of my personal sponsors Manx Gas, A&J Groundworks, Manx Telecom, Home Strategic, GTC, Alpha Boilers and The Isle of Man Government and I’d also like to offer my gratitude to all of the TT fans for their incredible support during my career, particularly when I won my first TT in 2010.”
It’s not yet clear what involvement he will have in giving his support to the TT in the future, but Klaffenböck is a frequent visitor to the Isle of Man and also competed in this year’s Southern 100. It’s known that he also has a large circle of friends living on the Island.
Paul Phillips, TT and motorsport manager, said, “Klaus has been a really popular competitor and supporter of the TT since he first stated competing.
“The event was given a real boost by the participation of a current sidecar world champion and it opened the door to the TT to other crews from the world championship. Klaus showed his ability, and persistence, in his double winning year in 2010 and he has been a real star and is rightly recognised as a TT hero.”
Photo: Bill Dale
