Southern 100 Chairman Honoured

Having been involved with the racing at Billown, home of the Southern 100 since 1982, twelve months after the club had taken over the running of the ‘friendly races’ from the Southern Motorcycle Club who had organised the race since its inception in 1955. On joining the committee, he also took on the role of Deputy Chief Club Marshal (the Chief Marshal at the time was the Chief Constable – an honorary position) and continued in the position until 1989 when he took over as Club and Race Secretary, a post he still holds as the racing organisation ends its 2018 season.

However, at the Club’s Annual General Meeting in February 2018, George Peach was elected Chairman to replace Phil Taubman MBE, who was elevated to President of the Southern 100 Racing Club.

In addition to the prestigious Southern 100 Road Races, the club also organise and run the Pre-TT Classic Road Races since 1988 and the Post TT Road Races since 1991. The Southern 100 has been since 2007 and still is a full International Road Race Event.

Since George Peach took on the role of Club & Race Secretary in 1989, the Southern 100 has grown in stature and size (as have the Pre-& Post TT Races) and as with all organisations so has the administration duties, which he has encompassed and adopted as required to ensure the events run to the highest of standards.

George's ethos epitomises the Southern 100. His principled, adjective approach, honesty and responsibility, creates an aura about him. His friendly and charming influence instantly puts people at ease and makes them feel welcome. Any first-time competitor, marshal or helper feels at ease with George. However, George can be firm and even gnarled old timers pumped up with adrenaline cannot fail to smile at his pleasantness, even if they have done something wrong. George is part of the reason competitors love to compete on the Billown Course and a big contributor to the growing success of the Southern 100.

Apart from the mountains of administration work, George can also be found helping at all the work parties involving the preparation of the 4.25-mile Billown Course ensuring that it is safe for racing and returning the roads in good condition for public use once events have concluded.

At the recent Heroes in the Community 2018 Awards organised and hosted by Manx Radio’s Dream Catcher Charity, George Peach was nominated for the Dedication to Sport Over 18 Award, for 36 years unstinting service to road racing on the Billown Course - although away from the home of ‘the friendly races’ he has been much involved on the Committee of the Castletown Bowling Club where he coaches youngsters for the Manx Youth Games. George has also been Men’s Captain and Fixture Secretary in the past.

A well-known person in Castletown George also served his home town and the larger community of the Isle of Man as a Retained Fireman based in the ancient capital for 30 years.

Unable to be at the Awards Presentation at the Empress Hotel, as his family took him off-island for a surprise 70th birthday celebration, George received his award from Manx Radio’s Managing Director Anthony Pugh on behalf of the Dream Catcher Charity organisers.

Commenting afterwards George said:

‘I was very pleased and delighted to be given a reward for doing something which I love and enjoy and have had pleasure from over the last 30 plus years.