Lougher is the Billown champion

Ian Lougher has become the most successful rider around the Billown circuit.

The Welshman surpassed the late Joey Dunlop at the head of the standings with victory in the Southern 100 Solo Championship race this afternoon (Thursday).

However, the main event of the meeting was halted after four laps due to an accident in which a rider was airlifted to hospital with what aren’t thought to be life-threatening injuries.

With Lougher clearly leading on lap four at the time racing was postponed, he took the victory ahead of Ryan Farquhar and Connor Cummins.

He believed the earlier wet conditions had helped him (audio file attached):

It was Lougher’s third success of the day.

He’d earlier equalled Dunlop’s record with a six second victory from Castletown’s Chris Palmer in the Steam Packet 125 event with Dan Sayle in third.

Sam Dunlop was fourth.

Indeed, the name of Dunlop continues to be synonymous with road racing success in the Isle of Man.

William Dunlop won this afternoon’s 250cc solo race over six laps ahead of Lougher and Palmer with Michael Dunlop in fourth.

Sam Dunlop completed the Dunlop contingent with an 11th place.

The honours in the Eurocars classic went to Alan Oversby from local Dave Madsen-Mygdal.

Alan Brew was third with John Barton in fourth.

Mick Goodings triumphed in the 400cc event, just over three seconds ahead of Paul Dobbs with Tim Poole in third.

Due to the delay caused by the Solo Championship accident, the Senior Consolation race had to be cancelled, while the Sidecar Championship was abandoned because an accident meant there was no time to fit the race in.