Today🍸 [Saturday] is the first day of racing at the 2024 Isle of Man TT but the drama has already started.

A reigning T💛T champion facཧes a challenge to even enter the race after a crash on Friday resulted in minor injuries, but more significantly some damage to the machine.

Ben Birchall is the reignin🍒g Sidecar champion from 2023, and is partnered with new passenger Kevin Rousseau this yeꦗar.

The duo crashed 🐼at Mountain Box during Qualifying on Friday.

After medical treatment they are described a༒s fine, albeit with bumps and bruises.

The big problem they face is the damage to th🐎e Honda LCR.

They must fix any lingering problems before 4pm Sa𒁏turday when the first Sidecar race begins.

A social media post from Birchall read: “[Friday] afternoon, we had an acciꦗdent at the Mountain Box due a mechanical failure.

“The boys a꧃re ok, just a little bruised. Thanks to Arai Helmet Europe and RST for keeping us safe.

“Also big 🅷thanks to the marshals and m🐼edical personnel on the course, the people from Noble’s Hospital and physio in the paddock.

“We'll try to fix 🐈the bike for [Saturday] - fingers crossed."