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Racing fans to hear from past champions

Catherine Nicoll
BBC News, Isle of Man
SOUTHERN100 Davey Todd racing on a red bike with he number one on the front.SOUTHERN100
Last year's Solo Championship winner Davey Todd is among the riders marking the anniversary

Racing fans have the chance to hear memories of the Southern 100 Road Race's 70-year history at a special event.

First run on 14 July 1955, the race has grown into a four-day event which attracts more than 300 entries to compete on the 4.25 miles (6.8 km) Billown Course in the south of the Isle of Man.

To mark the milestone, several past champions will be sharing their stories and reflections during a special chat show in the Fanzone in Castletown's Market Square from 13:30 BST.

It will also include the chance for fans to get photographs taken with the riders and secure autographs.

SOUTHERN 100 Fans sitting in blue and white striped deck chairs in Market Square.SOUTHERN 100
A fanzone has been set up in Market Square in Castletown where daily chat shows take place

Known as "the friendly races", the event consistently attracts many of the top names in road racing, with Michael Dunlop, Davey Todd and Dean Harrison all on this year's start list.

Among the 18 champions visiting the island to take part in the celebrations is 91-year-old Ron Langston, who won the solo championship in 1960.

Other past champions, include fan favourites Charlie Williams, Ian Lougher and Ryan Farquhar.

SOUTHERN 100 A black and white photograph Ron Langston competing on a bike with the number 19 on the front. He is wearing black leathers and a white helmet.SOUTHERN 100
Ron Langston won the Solo Championship at the event in 1960

Phil Edge who is on the organising committee said the level of affection for the event was down to the "hard work of our predecessors" who designed the course and built up a good reputation for "treating everybody involved as equal".

The 2025 event got under way on Monday with a full evening of qualifying laps.

There was an initial delay to the start of Tuesday's action at the request of Manx Care as Noble's Hospital was working to discharge a high number of patients, however the session did get under way a short time later.

Davey Todd continued to set the fastest pace in practise, however the planning opening two races of the event had to be postponed after rain showers on parts of the course.

SOUTHERN 100 Racers in colourful leathers leaning in for a bend. There are stone walls either side of the road and spectators watching on in the background.SOUTHERN 100
The Southern 100 is known as "the friendly races"

Wednesday evening race programme includes four solo contests and the first sidecar race, with the action due to begin at 18:20.

Roads around the course are set to close at 18:00 and reopen no later than 21:40.

Racing at the event, which is being streamed live online for the first time this year as well as being shown on a big screen in Market Square, continues until Thursday.

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