By The Civic Centre in Castletown was the peak place tonight for roads scene insiders, aficionados, keeping an eye on the 2025 Southern 100 Media Launch.
Compered by Chris Kinley, a plethora of organisers, sponsors, media personnel, racers took to the stage.
Monitoring closely the coverage, the most significant nuggets of information I noted down from listening to the succinct, relaxed, informal chats, included:
• Live S100 coverage primed for this year, as stated by Greenlight Television producer, Libby Hurdman.
• Ellan Vannin Fuels remaining S100 Solo Championship title sponsor.
• Scott Racing’s Joe Yeardsley, Marcus Simpson will begin pre-season testing next week in Spain.
• Laxey rider Yeardsley, opening roads event of 2025, will be the Cookstown 100.
• Post an entertaining journey to IOM shores today, Rob Hodson stated that he will continue with SMT Racing for the 2025 road racing season, piloting new Fireblade Honda apparatus, R6 Yamaha, Paton Super Twin metal.
• Jim Gale/Ben Gale, sons of Sidecar TT veteran Dicky Gale, confirmed their 2025 three-wheeling outfit will be KTM engine equipped.
• Dan Sayle potentially could be returning to Sidecars competition, for the Blackford Financial Services, Pre TT-Classic meeting.
• Kevin Rousseau was non-committal, when asked whether he would be teaming up again with Ben Birchall for TT, S100 encounters.
• Daryl Blake Construction will once again title support the S100 Sidecar Championship race.
• Manx Radio have signed a new five-year deal with Southern 100 Racing to continue providing prime-time event coverage.
• Honda Racing UK’s Dean Harrison disclosed that the ‘Friendly Races’ the S100 is part of his 2025 racing schedule. The 2019 Senior TT winner hopes to be astride Supersport, SBK tackle at Billown.
• Harrison stated that his first pre-season test, commences at the end of March at Seville before moving onto a Monteblanco based test session.
• Paul Cassidy has new Honda machinery at his disposal for roads scene outings in 2025, a Fireblade Honda purchased from none other than the rider showcased above (Dean Harrison) and an ex, Jackson Racing CBR 600RR vault.
• Cassidy will also compete this year in Super Twin races, thanks to respected real roads sponsor, Rob Brew.
• The People’s Bike Team’s Grant Thompson announced his Pre-TT Classic plans, with 600 steelie, yesteryear 750 rides lined up.
Photo credit: Mark Corlett
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
