| Southern 100 back to normal next year |
| THE Southern 100 motorcycle races will revert back to their traditional week next year. As in previous years, the club has the honour of organising the opening and closing events of the TT Festival, beginning with the pre-TT Classic races and concluding with the Steam Packet national solo races. However, the main attraction on the Billown circuit will again be the S100 in July, sponsored by the Steam Packet. For many years the Southern meeting was traditionally held in the second week of July, although in recent years the event has moved back a week to accommodate other events in the UK. The committee now feels the popular event should revert back to its traditional week. Chairman Derek Nicholson says he hopes next year’s racing will prove even more welcome after this year’s event was called off due to foot-and-mouth, while he also expressed his appreciation of the sponsors. Clerk of the course Phil Taubman said: ‘We have started planning for the 2002 season slightly earlier than usual and, while we acknowledge that foot-and-mouth precautions may well still be in place next year, the committee is confident the three events will go ahead as scheduled.’ Race secretary George Peach asked riders who have already made hotel and guest house reservations to make sure they alter their bookings to suit the new July dates. De Montfort Group pre-TT Classic road races, May 24, 25 and 27. Steam Packet national solo races, June 8. Steam Packet Southern 100 road races, July 8-11. Related Links: www.southern100.com www.iomonline.co.im
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