Sidecar success for Dewsbury rider

The event was very competitive and had attracted one of the strongest entries in recent years.

Hirst, 43, and passenger, Manx resident Ben Binns, raced their 600 Shelbourne Honda were competing against former sidecar World Champions, TT winners and British Champions.

In the first race the pair, representing Team BHR, finished seventh after been involved in a competitive battle against Darren Hope and Paul Bumphrey, riding an LCR Honda.

Hirst and Binns improved further in the second race to pass the chequered flag a fifth position.

This was Hirst’s best performance in a championship race at an event he has competed in over the last five seasons.

In a year when Team BHR have been frustrated by mechanical problems it was especially pleasing to reap deserved rewards on the track.