Kirmington’s Guy Martin chalked up his first road race win of the season on Tuesday, when he took the Senior Solo Founders race at the Southern 100 road races. Riding the Hydrex Bike Animal Honda, he successfully saw off the challenge of rivals Ryan Farquhar and Ian Lougher to take an excellent 5.1-second victory. Conditions for Monday evening practice and Tuesday’s race on the 4.25-mile Billown circuit were ideal for racing and Guy immediately slotted into second place in the 9-lap race. There was little between Guy, Farquhar, Lougher and Conor Cummins in the early stages with the lead changing hands on a number of occasions but by half race distance, he began to edge clear. Aided by a lap of 111.150mph, a new lap record, Guy opened up a gap over the rest of the pack and he was able to control proceedings for the remaining laps to take a comfortable victory. His next race was due to be in Wednesday’s Senior race but heavy rain and mist meant the evening’s schedule was cancelled so that just left the Solo Championship race on Thursday. With conditions only slightly better for the 10-lap feature race, Guy, like the rest of the field, opted for full wet tyres and he completed the first lap in second place. However, it was clear all was not well with the handling of the machine and just half a lap later, he was forced to retire at Cross Four Ways with a front wheel puncture. Speaking immediately upon returning to the paddock, Guy commented: “I’m gutted to have been forced out of the Championship race and a puncture pretty much sums up my luck this year! Conditions were far from ideal but I got a good start and felt confident that I could reel in Lougher. Towards the end of the lap though, I knew something was seriously amiss with the front of the bike and eventually pulled in with a flat tyre. Although disappointed, at least I’ve been able to take my first win of the year and Tuesday’s race went perfectly.” “The bike never missed a beat and after a bit of a battle in the early laps, I got my head down and broke the lap record to take a good win and pick up a bit of silverware at last! I always enjoy coming to the Southern 100 and although the weather made it difficult for everyone, it’s been another excellent meeting and thanks to everyone for making it all happen. James, Rob and Kate did a great job and I’ve really enjoyed my week.” Guy’s next stop is the Goodwood Festival of Speed this weekend where he will be doing demonstrations runs on his Superbike machine along with other household names including Michael Doohan, John Surtees and Troy Corser. More, from a press release issued by Ryan Farquhar’s publicist: Triple podium joy for Farquhar at Southern 100 Ryan Farquhar enjoyed an excellent week of racing at this week’s Southern 100 road races and the Dungannon ace was able to claim no less than three second places from his three races. With a mixture of conditions on the Isle of Man, Ryan proved to be at ease in both the wet and dry weather and was in contention for the victories in all of his races. Racing got underway with Tuesday evening’s Senior Solo Founders race and on the second of the nine laps, Ryan got into the lead for the first time on his Harker Kawasaki. The crowd were being treated to an excellent spectacle with Ryan, Guy Martin, Ian Lougher and Conor Cummins running in close formation at the head of the field. By half race distance, Ryan had been relegated to second by the Superbike of Martin, but he extended his own advantage over third placed Lougher and he was able to take a strong second place at the chequered flag, also setting his best ever lap around the 4.25-mile Billown circuit at 110.389mph. Wednesday’s racing was cancelled due to terrible conditions so Ryan’s next race came in Thursday’s Supersport 600cc race where he was again embroiled in a terrific battle for the lead. Ryan, Lougher and Cummins were together throughout the 8 laps with the lead exchanging hands on countless occasions. Ryan was able to overtake Lougher each time at the final Castletown Corner but the superior acceleration of Lougher’s machine always saw him back in the lead by the time they reached the finish line and this was how it unfolded on the final lap. Ryan took another runner-up spot, missing out on the win by just 0.268seconds although he did have the consolation of setting the fastest lap of the race at 106.534mph. With the weather deteriorating all the time, the feature Solo Championship race got underway in very damp conditions and Ryan slotted into second place after the opening two laps. On the fourth lap, the red flag came out due to an incident and the result declared at three laps thus giving Ryan his third runner-up spot from his three races. Speaking about his week on the Island, Ryan said: “I’m happy enough with how my racing has gone this week and although it’s always nice to get a win, I wasn’t far away in any of the races and it’s been a very enjoyable week. Guy’s Superbike had the edge over my Superstock Kawasaki and we need to freshen up the engine now as it’s not quite as strong as it was earlier in the year but it was a good second place and I was able to lap quicker than I’ve ever gone round here so it was a good race.” “In the Supersport race, there was little between the top speed of the Kawasaki and Yamaha but Ian’s bike had slightly better acceleration and although I could always take the lead, he could out-drag me to the line and that’s what happened on the final lap. It was a great race to be involved with though and at least I got the fastest lap of the race. Conditions were pretty grim for the feature race and after Ian got the break on the opening lap I just settled into second and with the red flags coming out that was where I ended up. Having missed last year’s meeting, it’s been good to come back to the Southern 100 and it’s been a very enjoyable week of racing so thanks to everyone for all their hard work.” There’s little respite for Ryan and he now heads straight back to Southern Ireland, where he will be taking part in this weekend’s Walderstown road races.