Southern 100 2024

The first Southern ‘100’ Road Race meeting held in 1955 was described as an ambitious three race programme, 350cc, 250cc and 500cc races, the latter a 100-mile race won by Liverpudlian Terry Shepherd at 78.26mph on his Norton.

The last race meeting in 2019, Dean Harrison riding a Silicone Engineering 1000cc Kawasaki took the Solo Championship Race at a speed of 112.140mph for the third time.

In fact, the Bradford man dominated two of the other three Superbike races, with Dean Harrison also securing a double in the Supersport classes during the meeting.

Rising stars of road racing, Rob Hodson, Paul Gartland and Adam McLean each took their maiden International race victories at the 2018 ‘friendly races’.

In the intervening sixty-two years, many future British and World Champions - riders of the calibre of Bob McIntyre, Phil Read, John Hartle, Ron Langston, Selwyn Griffiths, Con Law, Brian Reid, Kenny Harrison, Joey Dunlop, Dave Leach, Phillip McCallen, Jason Griffiths, Bob Jackson, Robert Dunlop, Ian Lougher, Guy Martin, Cameron Donald, Ryan Farquhar, Michael & William Dunlop and Dean Harrison have ‘cut their teeth’ around the 4.25-mile Billown course in the south of the Island.

Sidecars were introduced into the race programme in 1962 and from the early days the ‘cream of the charioteers’ have provided the unique thrilling action that only the three-wheel crews can, again TT winners and world Champions have graced the meeting, from Charlie Freeman to the 2016 Sidecar Champions, Tim Reeves and Patrick Farrance, making history during the Sidecar Championship race when on the sixth lap of the eight laps race no less than three crews broke the 100mph lap barrier for the first time, all in one second of each other! Ben & Tom Birchall were first, the Tim Reeves & Patrick Farrance, followed by John Holden & Andy Winkle, with the ‘record’ being finally set by Tim & Patrick at 100.749mph. Tim Reeves with Mark Wilkes back in the chair regained the Sidecar Championship title in 2018.

Joey Dunlop became ‘Master of Billown’ taking no less than forty-two victories, including six Solo Championships during his years of racing on the Southside circuit.

Four action packed days the Steam Packet sponsored Southern ‘100’, followed by the ‘unique’ Open Air Prize Presentation in Castletown Square really adds a special atmosphere to what has become known over the decades as ‘the friendly races.’

Classes catered for include: Superbike, Supersport 600cc, 650cc SuperTwins, 250cc and ever popular Formula 2 Sidecar conforming to Formula 600cc rules.

Certainly, for the extra spice in road racing come and enjoy the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company Southern 100 International Road Races being held between July 10th – 13th July 2023 which will be full of excitement and emotion and is Unmissable!