Southern 100 Launch
The seemingly endless winter of discontent officially reached its end with the Media Launch for this year’s Pre-TT Classic and Southern 100 Races at the Castletown Civic Centre.
The event was a few weeks later than is usual; this may have contributed to their being some absentees. The most notable of those absentees was Davey Todd; the Solo Champion; he is in Europe progressing his recouperation from his big accident at Daytona.
The Sidecar Champions, Ryan and Callum Crowe were there and detailed how the new regulations are causing major headaches and increased costs. The main effect of the changes is to add about 3% to lap times. They will be back to defend their title in July and being lap record holders will start as favourites.
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The programme of races is well established for both the Pre-TT Classic and Southern 100 itself; the only minor tweak; announced by Phil Taubman, is the introduction of a Wednesday morning practice session of 2 hours. This will not be used if sufficient laps have been completed on Monday and Tuesday. Essentially aimed to benefit the newcomers, this is a sensible innovation.
The main items of news on the rider front was the comeback to Billown of Conor Cummins. He last rode in 2014; but was injured when T-boned in a multi-bike incident at Ballakeighan. Now that he is running his own team, he feels that the time is right to reacquaint himself with an old friend. With backing from the IOM Steam Packet, he will be well equipped to challenge for podium finishes. Conor has 11 podium finishes to his name in the S100 itself and won the 1000cc Race at the 2007 Post-TT meeting (shame that meeting has been sacrificed to accommodate extra TT races). The other big story announced is that young star Franco Bourne has moved to road racing under the guidance of 5 times S100 Champion and record Billown winner; Ian Lougher. It was also let slip that Franco will be making his TT debut this year. A treble at Scarborough; including beating Richard Cooper; shows that he has the talent to succeed; we wish him well.
Some local star riders outlined their plans for the season; Mikey Evans remains with Dafabet Racing; he will be a podium prospect at both the TT and S100. Paul Cassidy has new sponsors and has moved to Ducati power. If he can tailor the bikes to suit his stature, he will be at the sharp end of matters in his chosen meetings. Grant Thompson, on his debut, won 2 races at the Pre-TT Meeting last year and will be looking to add to his tally of wins from his array of rides. Given his rate of progress; he will be looking to be in the top 6 at the S100; with a podium finish not out of the equation. He will be making his TT debut this year and bringing a Superbike to the NW200 for the first time. Sam Naughton; not interested in the bikes as a youngster; will have Triumph power for his rides in the Supersport. It will be interesting to chart the progress of the talented rider this year.
This year, circuit sponsors, Motor Isle will increase their coverage to include the solos; whilst ITV 4 will have two programmes; rather than the one of last year. Greenlight will provide the content for ITV; they will have extra drone and static camera coverage; aided by Starlink technology.
The Steam Packet trialled a day trip on Championship Day last year. Its success has seen it retained; with many of last year’s day trippers now booked for a mini-break covering the entire meeting. The company has signed up for another 3 years as headline sponsor for the Southern 100 Races.
The loyal band of sponsors remains in situ; Blackfords; the headline sponsors for the Pre-TT Meeting; completing a quarter century of support. The retention of sponsors speaks volumes for the organising committee of these two wonderful race meetings.
Southern 100 Media Launch by Richard Radcliffe
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