Following Rob Hodson’s Corlett’s Trophies 600/1000 race success, Tuesday evening’s remaining two races at Billown provided more enthralling competition in the 600/1000 B, opening 125/400 races.
More known in recent times it’s fair to say for his exploits on 400 machinery, Paul Gartland showcased tonight that he’s also still a very capable performer on 1000cc machinery, as he clinched 600/1000 B race victory by just under 0.13 of a second over Barry Furber.
Furber lead newcomer to the North West 200 in 2017, like fellow Colas Billown course debutant Davey Todd already looks extremely accomplished around the 4.25 miles long roads circuit.
Wrapping up the podium finishers behind the former Newcomers B Manx GP runner up was meeting stalwart Dennis Booth, whilst fourth placed Steven Haddow took the Supersport class spoils.
The corresponding 125/400 encounter, provided one of the tightest battles to ever grace Billown, as Adrian Kershaw and multi Oliver’s Mount winner Mick Goodings duked it out for race honours.
A compelling race long scrap concluded with Manchester’s Kershaw emerging victorious at the completion of the fifth and final lap, by only 0.020 of a second!
Photo by Jim Gibson
Over 17 and a half seconds behind in third place was 600/1000 B race victor Paul Gartland, who in the process became the first double podium finisher of this years Southern 100.
Rad Hughes was fourth, Dan Sayle lead the 125/Moto 3 challenge in fifth place as Vic Allan finalised the first six finishers.
Full results from tonight’s race action at Billown, are as follows:
Corlett’s Trophies 600/1000 B Race:
1 Paul Gartland
2 Barry Furber
3 Dennis Booth
4 Steven Haddow
5 Sean Seddon
6 Eric Wilson
7 Dave Quine
8 Jean Pierre Polet
9 Mark Pattinson
10 Ben Shuttlewood
11 Rad Hughes
12 Leon Murphy
13 James Field
14 Mike Norbury
15 David Brook
16 Alan Johnston
17 Lee Hembury
18 Richard Eglin
19 Paul Cassidy
20 Callum Ward
21 Steven Moody
22 Frankie Stennett
23 Ryan Maher
24 Mike Bammann
125/400 Race 1:
1 Adrian Kershaw
2 Mick Goodings
3 Paul Gartland
4 Rad Hughes
5 Dan Sayle
6 Vic Allan
7 Steven Moody
8 Andy Sailor
9 Neil Pearson
10 Peter Boast
11 Tom Snow
12 Pete Gibson
13 Adrian Skaife
14 Dave Woolams
15 Mark Bamford
16 Yvonne Montgomery
17 Neil Lloyd
18 Kevin Murphy
Words by Stevie Rial