FIFTY YEARS OF THE FRIENDLY RACES SOUTHERN 100 JOEY DUNLOP ISLE OF MAN TT MANX

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FIFTY YEARS OF THE FRIENDLY RACES . THE STORY OF THE SOUTHERN 100 MOTORCYCLE ROAD RACES. BY PHIL EDGE. First run in 1955, the Southern 100 Road Races attracted 73 entries for three races in the then 'traditional' classes, 250cc, 350cc and the premier 500 cc class. The very first race, the 350 cc event was won by Manxman, Derek Ennett riding an AJS at an average of 76.79 miles per hour. The ‘350’ was followed by the 250 race, over six laps, 25 miles with Manchester’s Dave Chadwick taking the chequered flag at some 65.50 mph. The premier event, the 500 cc race, held over 24 laps, a distance of one hundred miles and from where the meeting gained its title saw Liverpudlian Terry Shepherd take victory by just 100 yards from 350 cc winner Derek Ennett. The three race programme, which some described as ambitious back in 1955, completed, competitors and officials took part in a Gymkhana at the near by Castletown Stadium. From an ‘Isle of Man’ Status meeting in 1955, the “Southern” gained National Status in 1958 and was included in the British Championships in 1969. More recently the annual July event has been included in the prestigious Irish Regal Championships during 1992 and 1993 and has subsequently gained European recognition and is now designated an International meeting, one of only five sanctioned by the world governing body the F.I.M. in the British Isles. From its inception the Southern 100 has provided the keenest competition among some of the best-known names in British racing, including the great Glaswegian, Bob McIntyre along with his life long friend Alastair King. Alan Shepherd and Phil Read provided the closest ever finish at the meeting in 1961 ‘dead heating’ in the 350 cc race. The same year saw the first “works” bike being raced on the 4.25 mile course with John Hartle showing the opposition a clear set of megaphones on the fabulous 250 cc Honda four cylinder machine. Riders like Selwyn Griffiths, Brian Steenson, Charlie Williams, Tom Herron, Billy Guthrie and Phillip McCallen cut their teeth at the Southern, all, eventually taking the Solo Championship honours, as have Ian Lougher, Ryan Farquhar and Cameron Donald in more recent years. One of Ireland’s favourite sons Ray McCullough broke the 90 mph barrier in the 350 cc race in 1975. Twelve months later one Joey Dunlop made his debut and returned home with the Solo Championship. 1983 saw the ‘ton’ achieved by Banbridge's Brian Reid on his RG500 Suzuki, during the 1300 cc race. Sidecars were introduced to the programme in 1962 and have provided some great racing each year since; Charlie Freeman and Chris Vincent taking the early honours, whilst more latterly Dave Molyneux claimed a total of fifteen race victories including seven Sidecar Championships. From an initial 73 entries at the first meeting on Thursday 14th July 1955, nearly 17,000 entries have been received and accepted since, the highest figure being 544 in 2006. Since the first meeting in 1955, there have been 52 “main” solo races, firstly in the 500 cc class, then from 1968 the Solo Championship. The Solo Championship Race was abandoned in 1968, and of course there were no races in 2001. Joey Dunlop is the most successful achieving six titles, Ian Lougher has taken four to date, as Terry Shepherd, Bill Smith and Jason Griffiths share three apiece. The Southern 100 Road Races celebrated their fortieth anniversary in 1995 and twenty years to the day since he entered the 250 cc class of the races as a “newcomer’ Bob Jackson became the 1995 Southern 100 Solo Champion. Joey Dunlop headed the three hundred plus entries for the 42nd running of the event in 1997 after a two-year absence. Also making a welcome return to the meeting was Joey’s brother, Robert, returning to full time racing after his horrific accident during the 1994 TT. Robert showed he had lost none of his old skills and determination since his last appearance in the Southern ‘100’ in 1985, to beat Owen McNally, Ian Lougher and Gav... read more

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