TIM REEVES' preparations for next year's Isle of Man TT race have began in Spain.

The Aylesford-based World Sidecar Champion and BBC South East Sports Personality of the Year took to the Cartagena circuit with passenger Patrick Farrance on their brand new F2 LCR 600cc machine.

Reeves has won the World and British titles on the larger F1 sidecar but can only race the TT in the smaller F2 machine. This week's testing was the first time Reeves has ridden one of the lower grade sidecars.

He said: "It's a funny little thing compared to my usual outfit but it doesn’t appear to be a lot slower. I soon settled to the different handling etcetera and felt quite at home on it.

"Patrick has raced an F2 for years and immediately gelled with it."

Reeves will contest the British F2 championship this season in order to gain a licence for the TT race.