Southern 100 sidecar exclusion 'absolutely devastating'

A sidecar driver who made his road racing debut on the Island 21 years ago says it's 'absolutely devastating' that the machines won't be included in this year's Southern 100 Road Races.

Yesterday (3 June) the Southern 100 Club confirmed the three-wheeled category was being removed from the 2026 event which is due to take place on the Billown Course from 6-9 July.

You can find out more HERE.

The club said given uncertainties around the stability of current sidecar designs, to include them without 'a definitive, expert-led technical review would introduce an unacceptable level of risk.'

Wayne Lockey started racing at the Southern 100 in 2005 - he says the meeting is a huge part of his calendar every year:

Meanwhile, fellow competitor, Greg Lambert, says race organisers, teams and manufacturers need to look after the sidecar class to ensure its future. 

It follows news that the class has been removed from the Southern 100 Road Races ahead of next month's racing event. 

Lambert - who has more than 30 years experience racing on Island - says manufacturers need to go back to the vehicles to ensure it's a safer sport. 

He adds fan support has been tremendous and now the focus is on keeping 'bums on seats and speeds down':

Elsewhere, Isle of Man passenger, Jake Roberts has competed in the class at both the TT and Southern 100 in recent times.

He thinks three-wheeled teams need more clarity from officials on what needs to change in the class going forward:

The move by the event in the south of the Island follows a decision to suspend the sidecar class at this year's Isle of Man TT Races as a 'precautionary measure' on safety grounds.

For the meeting on the Snaefell Mountain Course Clerk of the Course Gary Thompson later stated that this was not the end for three-wheeled machines at the TT and consultations on the class will take place with teams going forward.

Similarly the Southern 100 Club adds its decision to halt the class on the Billown Course is only a 'temporary pause' to protect the long-term future of the category.

It adds that the club remains 'fully committed to sidecar racing and will actively participate in the upcoming wider consultation process alongside the TT organiser, promoter and industry experts to ensure the class can return to the Billown Course safely in 2027.'

Southern 100 Road Races has told Manx Radio it won't make any further comment at this time.

Manx Radio has asked the Isle of Man TT Races for clarity over what is happening to the prize money for the two cancelled sidecar events and whether this will be distributed to competitors. We are awaiting a response.