By This year’s Southern 100 solo championship began in ideal dry conditions around Billown.
It was Tyco BMW’s Guy Martin who went into race lead at Cross Four Ways, closely followed by Dan Kneen, Michael Dunlop, Ivan Lintin, Dean Harrison.
By the end of lap one positions within the top five remained the same with Guy Martin holding a slight advantage over Valvoline Racing by Padgetts Motorcycles Dan Kneen.
Michael Dunlop piloting his own teams S1000RR BMW was third, Ivan Lintin a strong fourth, Mar Train Racing’s Dean Harrison, Russ Mountford finalised the top six.
Onto lap two and there was nothing in it at the front between Martin and Kneen, Michael Dunlop in third was in close proximity as he bid for a third solo championship victory.
Upon the completion of lap two Guy Martin continued to lead but not by much from Dan Kneen, Michael Dunlop in third was reeling in Kneen for second whilst Ivan Lintin in fourth was showing top class form on RC Express Racing ZX10R Kawasaki.
Drama struck on lap three as Michael Dunlop slipped off at Ballabeg, following his departure from the race Dean Harrison moved into third in front of Ivan Lintin, Guy Martin remained in the lead from Dan Kneen.
Onto lap four and the closely fought battle for victory between Martin and Kneen continued, the two hugely popular riders where providing fans all around Billown with world class pure road racing action.
As lap four ended Martin held over 0.4 of a second advantage over Kneen, Harrison on the Mar Train Racing YZF R1M Yamaha held third, Ivan Lintin was fourth, Russ Mountford fifth, James Cowton rounded out the top six.
Dean Harrison was a retirement on lap five as the Mar Train Racing YZF R1M Yamaha encountered problems.
Guy Martin in race lead was enjoying one of his best performances so far this season on Tyco BMW’s superbike.
Second placed Dan Kneen was keeping close proximity with Guy, with only four laps to go.
Laps six and seven saw the advantage out front remain in and around the half second bracket, following Dean Harrison’s retirement on lap five, James Cowton moved into fifth on the VRS Racing CBR 1000 Honda Fireblade.
On lap eight Guy Martin upped his lead to over a second over Dan Kneen, the eight times Steve Henshaw international gold cup winner was homing in on what would be his fourth Southern 100 solo championship success.
Ivan Lintin and the RC Express Racing ZX10R Kawasaki held third position, Silicone Engineering Racing’s Russ Mountford was fourth, James Cowton fifth, Jamie Coward held excellent sixth place as he completed the top six.
Final lap of the race would see Guy Martin out in front at Cross Four Ways, Dan Kneen in second was giving it everything in pursuit of the fourth fastest rider in TT history.
After surging through Castletown Corner Guy Martin crossed the line at the end of lap nine, to win the 2015 Southern 100 solo championship.
It’s Guy fourth solo championship success and his third straight blue riband race success around Billown in a row, having won in 2013, 2014 and now in 2015.
Dan Kneen in second was delighted in what was without a doubt, his strongest performance so far during the 2015 road racing season.
RC Express Racing’s Ivan Lintin completed the podium finishers, it’s Ivan’s first big bike podium finish at the friendly races.
Sealing fourth place finish was Russ Mountford, who ended his 2015 Southern 100 with a result of the highest quality.
James Cowton impressed hugely finishing in fifth on VRS Racing CBR 1000 Honda Fireblade, James has proven around Billown this week why he is a TT winner in the making.
Jamie Coward on the Horizon Distribution backed Honda finished a fine sixth, Mark Goodings was a superb seventh, Billy Redmayne produced another fine display as he secured eighth place finish.
Occupying final two positions in the top ten where Michael Russell and 2002 senior Manx Grand Prix winner Mark Parrett.
Southern 100 newcomer Jonathan Howarth competing on DTR CBR 1000 Honda Fireblade finished a more than creditable 11th.
Overall a top class race, it was one which brought Guy Martin his fourth solo championship success.
The worldwide popular rider always enjoys returning to the Southern 100, ever since making his debut in 2003 he has been on the pace since at the Castletown based road race.
