Southern 100, SBK 1: Harrison ahead of Harrison and Hickman, Trummer in 12th place

It is not just the Tourist Trophy and the Classic TT that attract road racing stars to the Isle of Man. All the big names signed up for this year’s Southern 100. Alongside local heroes Nathan Harrison, Conor Cummins, Marcus Simpson and Joe Yeardsley, Michael Dunlop, Dean Harrison and newcomer Peter Hickman, as well as Julian Trummer, were also keen not to miss this event.

In qualifying, Dean Harrison set a benchmark of 2:13.402 minutes on the 6.84-kilometre Billown Circuit near Castletown, a time his rivals were unable to match. His namesake Nathan Harrison and Dunlop completed the front row of the grid. Mike Browne, Hickman and Paul Jordan lined up behind them. Trummer (Smith Racing) started the first Superbike race from 14th on the grid.

Harrison managed to convert his pole position into an early lead. As early as the first of seven laps, he was able to pull decisively clear of his pursuers. After both Browne in second place and Dunlop in third had braked too hard on lap 2, Nathan Harrison took second place ahead of Hickman, a position he successfully defended right to the finish line despite fierce attacks.

Although the circuit, lined with stone and brick walls and featuring several ‘blind corners’, certainly has its pitfalls for a newcomer, Trummer managed to hold his own in a highly competitive field. Although somewhat cautious at the start, the 35-year-old BMW rider from Austria managed to improve with every lap. A twelfth-place finish on his Southern 100 debut is certainly an achievement to be proud of.

Results, Southern 100, Superbike, Race 1: 1. Dean Harrison (GB), Honda, 7 laps in 15:35.805 mins. 2. Nathan Harrison (GBM), Honda, 10.273 sec behind. 3. Peter Hickman (GB), BMW, +11.351 sec. 4. Paul Jordan (GB), Honda. 5. Joe Yeardsley (GBM), Honda. 6. Dominic Herbertson (GB), BMW. Also: 12. Julian Trummer (A), BMW. Fastest lap: D. Harrison in 2:12.174 (lap record)