Klaus Klaffenbock achieved his ultimate dream when in 2001 he became Sidecar World Champion . Then after finishing racing in the World Championships in 2003 he set himself yet another huge goal of winning an Isle of Man TT. He started racing at the TT in 2004 and then exceeded that goal by winning both races at the 2010 TT, and going on to win the first race again in 2011. His dreams had all come true.
Klaus says “The best teams in the world compete at the Isle of Man TT and for this reason I just had to remain involved with it. After we stopped racing in 2011, my friend Andy Faragher and I decided to start a competitive Sidecar Team at the TT and before long had everything organised – sponsors and a team that are capable of winning.”
The new team is : “Cofain Racing By Klaffi”
“Cofain is proud to support 3 times TT winner, Klaus Klaffenbock” enthuses Engelbert Hatheyer (Cofain). “The Isle of Man TT is a perfect platform and ambassador for COFAIN 699, Europe’s strongest and most effective alertness drink. The product performance of COFAIN 699 fits perfectly to the exceptional challenges of this unique race.”
Cofain – alert in a blink! www.cofain.at
Cofain is an Austrian produced drink – which is an alertness drink and is available through the UK and Ireland later this year.
Klaus is delighted to announce that the drivers for this exciting new team are 2009 World Champions , Ben and Tom Birchall. He goes on to say “We watched Ben and Tom in 2009 at their first TT and again in 2011. These two guys really have the potential to win. I will share with them everything I learnt about this special race and I am sure they can win soon, if not in this year then next year”
Ben adds "Both Tom and I are honoured to have been asked to join Klaus in his new venture. Klaus and his team's reputation for professionalism and determination to win along with Adolf Hanni’s unrivalled commitment and experience in sidecar racing made the decision to join the team very easy for us and with the continued support of our existing team and sponsors in my opinion Cofain Racing by Klaffi will become one of the strongest sidecar teams in the history of the TT.
Ever since Tom and I decided to compete at the TT in 2009 it has been our desire to be successful and our ultimate aim is to win there. Joining this team will give us the best opportunity to achieve our goal and with the bike preparation now nearing completion we can’t wait to begin our pre-season testing."
To strengthen the team further there is yet another Sidecar World Champion involved in the team – 2 times sidecar passenger champion:- Adolf Hanni
“I have known Klaus for a long time , I was Vice World Champion with him in 1998, 1999 and 2000. I know that everything he does is successful therefore when he asked for my help I immediately agreed and am happy to be involved in such a professional organised sidecar team.”
The team will use a brand new LCR chassis which has been especially made for Ben and Tom in Switzerland by sidecar engineer Louis Christen, and with Honda engines from Honda specialist UK tuner, Chris Mehew.
Guests of the team during the TT will be:
Frankie Chili, Rolf Biland, Urs Egloff and Martin Zurbrugg.
Paul Phillips, TT and Motorsport Manager, Isle of Man Government, commented:
“The Birchall brothers are definitely one of the strongest teams at this year’s event and with Klaus’s support are likely to be even more competitive."
Strong support for the new team is also coming from:
A&J Groundworks
Mitchell of Mansfield
Wintex
Manx Gas
Manx Telecom
Home Strategic
Road and Track
Shell
Padgetts
-ENDS-
