The climate was stunning on the Billown Circuit because the 2024 Southern 100 assembly started on Monday night. The primary enterprise of the night was the escorted laps for the newcomers to the circuit. All was going effectively at Ballakeighan till about half of the solo riders had come via Ballakeighan on their second lap. Then there was a serious incident involving a number of riders. Two riders had been injured; one was launched after receiving remedy at Nobles Hospital. Sadly; Anthony O’Carroll obtained very severe accidents that necessitated him being transferred to a Liverpool hospital to obtain specialist care. We hope that this care is profitable and that he’ll have the ability to make a full restoration. Ian Lougher; his group supervisor was talked out of withdrawing the whole group by Anthony’s household, as it’s not what he would need.
The marshals and paramedics on the scene carried out fantastically in response to the incident. The scene was protected instantly by pink flags. Simply previous to the beginning that they had practiced their casualty elimination procedures; little pondering that lower than 5 minutes later they might be repeating them for actual. They handled the issues that they confronted fantastically; a credit score to themselves and the organisers. Two different unrelated medical emergencies on the island meant that the follow session couldn’t be restarted. This required schedule adjustments to be made by the organising committee.
Tuesday was the polar reverse of Monday; darkish gray clouds changed blue sky and rain was persistent till 4pm; when it started to lighten; finally stopping simply earlier than 5pm. A bathe at round 5.30 reminded everybody that rain remained a relentless risk. Unseasonal coldness added to the overall gloom. Within the paddock many of the bikes had been being fitted with their full moist footwear, just a few with a moist entrance and intermediate rear.
Every part was being saved near the revised schedule regardless of the climate; the one delay was attributable to a automotive being left on the monitor by a forgetful native. The follow session for 1000cc machines was first. Michael Dunlop made a return to the paddock after one lap to vary tyres; a transfer that allowed him to seize second place on the grid together with his one flying lap. The solo classes had been very busy; this was the one probability to qualify. There have been a few guests to the slip street, and one mounted the pavement on the exit; however used the dropped kerb to take action. This all modified when the sidecars had their flip. The slip street was very effectively used and Greg Lambert spun in the midst of the monitor. The tempo was livid giving 10 minutes of mayhem for the hardy spectators to take pleasure in.
The race programme for the assembly then started with Race 2; the Peel Holdings Senior Race. The fickle climate had left a monitor that had each moist and dry areas; giving the riders an actual conundrum with tyre selection. The unlucky Dominic Herbertson needed to withdraw as a result of a methods difficulty that manifested itself on the nice and cozy up lap. Some riders withdrew after the nice and cozy up because of the combined circumstances.
The race started at 8.16pm over a diminished distance of 4 laps; the hope being that it might be accomplished earlier than rainfall returned. The pole sitter, Jamie Coward (Steadplan Honda) was quickest away from the lights; he led the for the whole lot of the primary lap, with Michael Dunlop (Hawk Honda) shut behind in second. Davey Todd held third on the Milwaukee BMW; with Mike Browne (IN Competitors Aprilia) tucked in behind him. Dean Harrison; in unfamiliar black livery held fifth on his Honda; with the returning Michael Sweeney sixth on his MJR BMW.
As mild drizzle grew to become extra organized rain, Dunlop elevated the tempo on lap 2 and led by just a few metres as they got here into Castletown Nook; his lead was 0.282s as they crossed the road. Todd was 2.2s behind Coward; with Browne holding fourth 2.27s additional again and beneath stress from Harrison. Sweeney held sixth; however was being closed down by Paul Jordan (Jackson Honda). With the monitor now glistening, Dunlop had a barely elevated benefit on lap 3; Todd was secure in third; while Harrison had displaced Browne from fourth; however that was to no avail; the pink flag was displayed; ending the race. The flag was as a result of Aaron Hogan having crashed out at Ballawhetstone. He went to hospital for a check-up; fortunately it appears that he’s completely okay.
With all the riders having accomplished half of the already diminished distance; a consequence was declared on the finish of lap 2. Newcomers Keelim Ryan (McMullen Kawasaki) and Erno Kostamo (Penz 13 BMW) put up wonderful performances, after simply 4 laps of follow, to complete 14th and 18th respectively.
With the gloom having deepened and the rain having develop into heavier; moist tyres back and front was the one selection for the Mike Kerruish Plumbing Light-weight Race (Race 1). From pole place, Rob Hodson (Paton) was the quickest into Ballakeighan; with Jamie Coward (Steadplan Kawasaki) in second. Hodson was first to the commentary level at Cross 4 Methods and had just a few metres benefit at Castletown Nook. It was a powerful sight because the riders approached from Stadium with an enormous plume of spray behind. Late entry, Davey Todd, was third on his Dafabet Kawasaki. Mike Browne (Aprilia), Michael Sweeney (Aprilia) and Joe Yeardsley (ILR Paton) accomplished the highest 6. Better of non-Supertwin machines was the 250cc Falcon Yamaha of Dan Sayle.
The tempo within the circumstances was merely wonderful; by lap 3 Hodson and Coward had been lapping quicker than Hodson’s pole time; set on almost dry roads. Coward gained 0.2s on lap 3; however Hodson responded on lap 4 after which set one of the best lap of the race at 97.481mph on the fifth and remaining lap. His margin of victory was 5.62s. Todd took the ultimate podium place; Mike Browne took fourth simply 0.8s down on Todd. Michael (Micko) Sweeney was fifth; with native star Joe Yeardsley a tremendous sixth. Dan Sayle had labored his method into seventh on the finish of the race. Finest newcomer was Jacque Foley (Paton); he was twelfth, 0.5s forward of fellow newcomer Caomhan Canny (Aprilia).
As we speak (Wednesday) was scheduled to carry us 4 races. Nonetheless, the journey to Billown was wasted. Ongoing heavy rain left streams working throughout some components of the monitor and huge quantities of standing water in others; racing was merely infeasible. Thursday’s forecast is healthier; hopefully the revised programme can go forward; particularly the championship races.