Southern 100 Road Races: Trummer takes on Dunlop, Harrison and Hickman

Two of the biggest names head the entry list for this year’s Southern 100 Road Races on the Isle of Man. Michael Dunlop, who added three more victories to his tally at this year’s Tourist Trophy, and Dean Harrison – who won the Superbike race and the Senior TT at the TT a few weeks ago – will cross swords once again at the Southern 100 in early July.

The Southern 100’s roll of honour features such prominent riders as world champions Phil Read, Joey Dunlop, Brian Reid, Steve Webster, Klaus Klaffenböck, Tim Reeves and Ben Birchall. Road racing aces such as Robert Dunlop, Guy Martin, Michael Dunlop and Dean Harrison have also previously climbed to the top step of the podium at this popular event.

This year, Peter Hickman is also hoping to add his name to the roll of honour. The lap record holder at the Tourist Trophy, the North West 200 and the Ulster Grand Prix has drawn a line under his BSB Superbike career and is now focusing on the road racing season. Even as a newcomer, he is tipped to give Dunlop and Harrison a run for their money.

As not all races could be held at this year’s Tourist Trophy due to rain and poor visibility, many TT riders – such as Jamie Coward, Paul Jordan, Mike Browne and Dominic Herbertson – are seizing the opportunity to return to the Isle of Man for the Southern 100. This includes the Austrian Julian Trummer, who, like Hickman, will be competing for the first time.

The races, which were first held in 1955, take place on the 6.840-kilometre Billown Circuit in the south-east of the Isle of Man. The road circuit is therefore considerably shorter than its ‘big brother’, the Snaefell Mountain Course, though by no means any less dangerous. Even top riders are not immune to serious accidents. Having previously won three races at the Pre-TT Classic, Alan Oversby recently fell victim to the circuit.