Southern 100 Racing are saddened to learn of the passing of Fred Adlem on Sunday evening 22nd November 2020.

Fred a familiar face around the Billown Course for some 30 years became a director of the Southern 100 Motorcycle Cub in 1991 until retiring at the end of 2000.

Fred became Deputy Clerk of Works in 1989 and continued in that role up to and including 1995. The following year he took over as Club Steward, a position he held until 2002, when he took a sabbatical to concentrate on his business activities.

2012 saw the affable Fred return to the ‘team’, this time based in Race Control at the Start – Finish as a member of the team of Timekeepers, where he remained for four years before finally taking early retirement.


Even though Fred had given up his official duties at the end of 2016, he still attended the races at Billown, especially the ‘blue-riband’ event the Southern 100, helping look after guests invited to watch the races from the Start – Finish area each year including 2019 and no doubt had the races been held this year Bedlem as he was affectionately known would have made his presence felt, something he will do in future years, keeping an eye on ‘the friendly races’ looking down on us.

The race course in the sky may have gained another character from the road racing world and will be the richer for his presence, just as we will be the poorer for his absence.

All involved with Southern 100 Racing wish to pass on their sincere condolences to his wife, Liz, close family, and friends at this incredibly sad time.