Celebrate 50 years of Friendly racing – Book and DVD
First run in 1955, the Southern 100 Road Races attracted seventy-three entries for three races. Taking its name from the premier 500cc event, which was held over a distance of 100 miles, the Southern soon gained National Status and today it is one of the most popular events on the road racing calendar.
From its inception, the Southern 100 has provided the keenest competition among some of the best-known names in British racing, including multi-world champions Phil Read, Brian Reid and Joey Dunlop. And in recent years, riders’ names have read like the ‘who’s-who’ of the road-racing scene pitting their skills against the 4.25-mile Billown public roads course. Names such as Ian Lougher, Jason Griffiths, Philip McCallen, Robert Dunlop and Dave Leach – such is the attraction to what has become known over the years as ‘the friendly races’.
The Southern 100 has for fifty years brought immense pleasure to competitors, officials and enthusiasts alike and sometimes a little sadness too. The hard working Club officials ensure that the race organisation is first class and that the friendliness for which the meeting has become renowned is maintained alongside social activities that match the racing!
‘Fifty Years of the Friendly Races, the story of the Southern 100 motorcycle road races’ is dedicated to everyone who has been involved with racing on the Billown course.
Anyone who loves pure road-racing is sure to be familiar with the TT and the Manx GP, but there is another event held on the Island which has provided the keenest competition among some of the best-known names in British racing, including multi-world champions Phil Read, Brian Reid and Joey Dunlop.
This exclusive review captures all the magic from this year’s festival, which celebrated 50 years of phenomenal racing on the 4.25-mile Billown course. Numerous top racers and past winners gathered for this colourful event, including road racing royalty Ian Lougher, Ryan Farquhar and Jason Griffiths alongside rising stars Guy Martin and Martin Finnegan.
Fans can relive the best action from three days of tight, close racing on the hairiest roads in this sizzling highlights package, which features all major races from solos to sidecars as well as a brief history of this much-loved event since its inception fifty years ago. Multiple camera vantage points provide a range of fantastic views as the biggest names engage in the most nail-biting tarmac battles seen all year!
Special features include hair-raising on-board camera footage with a variety of riders, exclusive interviews and additional film, ‘50 Years – Retrospective’ which showcases a wealth of rare footage from bygone races.
This exclusive review really is a fitting tribute to “The Friendly Races”!