EBC-Equipped Motorcycle Racer Takes on Southern 100

“The Southern 100 Road Races are one of the highlight meetings. As with most other road races, I entered the lightweight (Super Twins) on the Brook Built Aprilia RS660, and SuperSport races on the Yamaha YZF R6. The meeting was hampered by some incidents on track, Nobel’s hospital capacity and poor weather, but racing took place.

“After mediocre qualifying due to taking no risks in poor conditions, I managed to get satisfactory results, enjoyed the racing immensely, and my team-mate (Adrian Harrison) made the podium on the second Brook Built Racing Yamaha R6.”

Monday Eve Practice and Qualifying

“The weather over the weekend and Monday had been bright and sunny; perfect conditions and everyone was looking forward to a good start to the weeks racing. I had two practice and qualifying sessions for the lightweight and the first Super Sport practice in the schedule. Unfortunately, after a serious incident during the newcomer sighting laps, the evening got delayed and due to no capacity at Nobel’s Hospital, the race had to be cancelled. This was a big blow to everyone.”

Tuesday Evening practice, qualifying and lightweight race

“Having lost the first night, we were straight into Lightweight qualifying, then Super Sport, followed by the first Lightweight race. Weather conditions were poor with rain and the occasional dry spell meaning the track never dried fully.

“We had three laps in the Lightweight to qualify, being my first outing on track I rode safely to refamiliarise myself with the circuit and conditions; others were more willing to take more risk, or just adapted to the conditions better, but I managed to qualify 29^th in second last grid slot.

“With a few laps completed, the Super Sport qualifying was a little better, and in four laps I managed Row 5 in the B final – the first race planned to run next day.

“Next up, we were heading out of the paddock to line up for the first Lightweight race. Conditions had deteriorated to heavy rain, and the dark clouds made visibility poor, especially for us further down the grid. Right from the start, visibility was poor from the spray coming from other bikes, the rain and poor light. I made a few places off the line and decided to play safe and get to the finish line in the reduced (to 5 laps) race. I managed to complete the first race in 24^th position.”

Wednesday Racing

“We all passed scrutineering and waited in parc ferme for racing to begin. It rained all day and didn’t stop for the evenings racing; the day was cancelled with no racing taking place.”

Thursday Racing

“With the delays and cancelled sessions, I had a Super Sport race (one got cancelled) in the morning and the second Lightweight race in the afternoon. Without any rain, the track got better as the day went on, being fully dry after only a handful of races.

“In the Super Sport race, conditions were mostly dry. I opted for a front wet tyre combined with a dry rear as it was difficult to fully judge the conditions. I had qualified on row 5 while Adrian, my team-mate, had made pole position. I made a good start and made my way to 9^th position for most of the race, until I out-braked myself on the last corner going into the last lap and lost three places. We all seemed to be running the same pace as we stayed together without swapping places on the last lap. I finished 12^th and thoroughly enjoyed racing at the Billown circuit for the first time this meeting. A nice bonus was learning my team mate had made second place on the podium.

“For the second Lightweight race, we started from our original qualifying position, middle of the back row for me. I managed a great start, making several positions and passed more during the first lap. I caught the next group at the end of lap 2 and getting set to make a pass when the red flag came out near the end of lap 3 after an incident at Stadium Corner and the race was called a result. I’d made it to 15^th from 29^th and have to say it felt like the best two laps I’ve done at the S100, leaving the circuit with a big smile.

“Although it was a challenging S100 this year for everyone including the organisers, who I must commend for making tough decisions and keeping the meeting going, the new start procedure gets a big thumbs up from me; I didn’t hear any negative comments about it, it was a good meeting. Seeing old friends and making new ones I left the meeting in great spirits.

“I’d like to thank my personal helpers: Grahame Collinge and Chris Haynes for getting me out on track each evening, also the second half of the Brook Built Racing team helping Adrian Harrison. His dad Conrad, Nick Colley and son, Mucky Al, and Steve Hebden.

“Also, a special thanks to our sponsors and supporters who make going racing easier.”

Main photo credit: Tracey Harrison Photography