A plethora of road racing stars will take to the Isle of Man once again but this time for the Southern 100 which runs from 9th to the 12th July, just four weeks after the end of the Centenary TT. The event is run on the Billown Course which is a 4.25 mile pure road circuit on bumpy, tight, and twisty roads. The Southern operates a mass start like a short circuit race but has the excitement of the riders nearly touching the walls, trees, and fences at the side of the “track.” It is nearly as big a challenge as the TT itself! The Billown course is ridden at full speed for almost the entire lap which comprises of just four corners. There is a famous S-bend which crosses the churchyard at Castletown but even it is taken at full throttle on a sidecar. The famous sidecar pairing of Klaffenböck and Parzer will take part in two sidecar races. This is their first race event at Billown as on their last visit they only did a number of demonstration laps. They will have a lot to learn and stiff competition from Crowe and his partner Sayle, both of whom are from the Isle of Man and know the circuit very well. Solo star, Martin Finnegan will also compete on his Klaffi Honda Fireblade in the two Superbike races. Finnegan can’t wait to get on track along side great riders like, Guy Martin, Chris Palmer and Paul Hunt. The Southern is known as the “Friendly races”and it gives fans the perfect opportunity to get close to the riders. There is an open air prize giving after the races on Thursday evening in the centre of Castletown, and a party that everybody is invited to where they can mingle with the riders.