Dave Molyneux, the most successful Sidecar driver in the history of Isle of Man TT racing, has today announced his retirement from racing. The Manx hero has taken a total of 17 wins and 31 podiums since his debut in 1985 and is regarded as one of the greatest, if not the greatest, Sidecar drivers of all time.
Molyneux’s statistics speak for themselves. His 17 victories and 31 podium finishes are records that few drivers can match. Had he not occasionally taken part in Grand Prix and European races, he would probably have achieved even more successes.
Engineer and innovator
Like the great Rolf Biland, another innovator in three-wheel racing, Molyneux spent a lot of time working on his own DMR creations in his workshop in Regaby, always in search of perfection. His self-developed chassis played a crucial role in his success and that of many other riders.
Molyneux was known for his advanced sidecar technology, which was ahead of its time. His engineering skills, combined with his incredible speed and talent, repeatedly led to new records and often left the competition behind.
Dominance and versatility
At one stage, Molyneux dominated the races at the TT. He won in both the Open and F2 eras and used machines from Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki and Kawasaki. Even after more than 30 years in racing, he continued to look for new ways to beat the competition.
Setbacks and comebacks
However, the last few years have not always been smooth sailing. Until the 2024 TT race, his last podium finish was in 2017 and his last win was in 2014. Reliability issues and co-driver changes affected his performances. In 2019, he swapped his own DMR chassis for an LCR after more than 25 years, but returned to his own design in 2022. He achieved two fourth places with an 890cc KTM engine, but had to retire twice in 2023.
A stylish farewell
Despite the difficulties, Molyneux returned in 2024 and finished his career in style. With his godson Jake Roberts as co-driver, he achieved one last podium. This was a remarkable end to a long career in which he consistently delivered outstanding performances despite many setbacks and personal tragedies. His father John, a first-class co-driver in the 1970s, was killed in an accident at the Ulster Grand Prix in 1977, making Dave’s achievements all the more admirable.
Words of praise from Paul Phillips
Paul Phillips, Head of Motorsport, paid tribute to Molyneux’s career: “Dave is undoubtedly one of the greatest competitors the TT has ever seen. His will to win was always matched by his ability to innovate and he was at the forefront of sidecar racing for decades.”
He added: “I’ve known Dave all my life and he’s helped me a lot with advice and support during my time at the TT. Seeing him on the podium this year was a real highlight. It’s great to see a living legend finish at such a high level. He leaves a remarkable legacy for future champions to measure themselves against.”
