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Welcome to the Photographic Site for Bike Racers.

'The Riders' Choice'

Aintree Annual Dinner and Presentations

Steve Brogan leads another terrific evening

Dennis Sholicar began racing in 1971. Christian Peck wins his first Championship 40 years later

Health Insurance for Island 2010

Manx insurance company, GoTravelSafe and its parent company
Offshore Travel Insurance Ltd are set to offer a simple but effective
solution to the withdrawal of the Reciprocal Health Agreement with the
UK. The cover will provide comprehensive medical cover with NO
medical exclusions, and it covers anyone from age 0-89 years.
It aims to fulfil a duty of a care to our Islands annual visitors including
events such as the Steam Packet Southern 100 International Road Races,
the Blackford’s Pre TT Classic Road Races and the Manx Telecom
Post TT Road Races.
The cover retails from just £1.00 per person per day.
This provides ample medical expenses cover for each individual of
£10,000 repatriation home/hospital £30,000 and transportation of mortal
remains £2,500.
As the cover has been specifically written for us, it makes no exclusions
for people engaging in hazardous sports or competitive events.
It’s equally suited to the young, the old, the family, for persons visiting on
business or pleasure.
The GoTravelSafe website is now live at www.GoTravelSafe.co.uk , and
is registered and licensed with the Isle of Man Pensions and Insurance
Authority to sell and distribute travel insurance.
They can also be contacted by email: martin@gotravelsafe.co.uk.

Blackford’s Pre TT Classic Road Races
Regs Available

Regulations and Entry Forms for the 2010 Blackford
Financial Services Classic Road Races are now
available for download from the organising club’s official
website.
The Supplementary Regulations and Entry Forms can
be downloaded from www.southern100.com or they can
be requested to be sent by post by contacting race
secretary, George Peach either by e-mail:
georgepeach@manx.net or by phone on 07624-471301.

Closing date for entries is Wednesday 31st March 2010.

Farquhar Honoured

Ryan Farquhar received more accolades on Friday night, in recognition of his stunning 2009 road racing season, a year that saw him chalk up a staggering 61 race wins, take 6 National championships and break Joey Dunlop's long standing record of 118 National race wins. The Dungannon flyer was in attendance at the annual Irish Racer Magazine awards ceremony in Belfast and the 33-year old picked up both the National Road Racer of the Year and Team of the Year awards, just rewards for his and the KMR Kawasaki teams' scintillating seasons.

With over 500 guests in attendance, including special guest MotoGP ace Loris Capirossi, Farquhar also received the highly prestigious Duke Road Race Rankings trophy, the third time he has taken this particular award, given to the rider who records the highest number of points over the 25 road races held in the British Isles during the course of the year.

In the feature Irish Motorcyclist of the Year category, Ryan had to settle for third as he was just pipped to the post by World Championship riders Eugene Laverty, who won the trophy, and Jonathan Rea.

Ryan is pictured receiving the Duke Road Race Rankings Trophy from series founder Peter Duke

(Stephen Davison - Pacemaker Press International).

Phil Wain
Freelance PR

RELENTLESS ENERGY DRINKS BECOME NW200 MAIN SPONSOR WITH BLACK HORSE AS ASSOCIATE

pic by kind permission of Stephen Davison ; Pacemaker Press

and there's plenty of Relentless Energy here!!!!

MANX GRAND PRIX NEWCOMERS

Once again the annual trip to the Isle of Man is being organised in late February or early March for any rider from Ireland (North & South) wishing to compete for the first time at the Manx GP in 2010. Please contact Norman Gordon as soon as possible if you are interested.

The final cut-off date for registering for this invaluable trip for Manx Grand Prix Newcomers is Thursday 21st January 2010

This trip will be partly funded by the Hailwood Foundation and regardless of any other trips being advertised this is the only one subsidised by that organisation for riders from Northern or Southern Ireland.

Contact Norman Gordon - Mobile: 07710932662 or e-mail: ntgordon@btinternet.com

Carl Rennie secures 2010 ride

Phase One Yamaha have signed up Carl Rennie to spearhead their 2010 Northwest 200 and Isle of Man TT attack for 2010 using the same bike that James Ellison put on pole for the Qatar Eight-Hour last year. Rennie will do all the solo classes on the Island this year, using the team's endurance R1 for the big classes and other specially-built bikes for other classes. Rennie claimed fifth in the 2009 Senior TT.

"I am delighted to have been offered this opportunity by Russell and the Phase One Yamaha Team to join them for the 2010 season. I feel with the experience, knowledge and quality of the machinery Phase One have, I will be able to compete at the highest level. I am looking forward to working closely with the team throughout 2010," he said.

The team are also hoping to secure a second rider for the NW200 and TT.

Michael Pearson wins Ian King Memorial Prize

Pearson at Scarborough this year

Ballygowan rider Michael Pearson could not hide his delight at the weekend after being awarded the Ian King Memorial Award at the Motorcycle Union of Ireland Ulster Centre Awards in Belfast.

Pearson, who made his rookie year on the Irish Road Race scene in 2009, took the award after he was disclosed as the best newcomer in the Supersport 600 class in the Irish Championships.

Thanks to Real Road Racing for all this

Jamie O'Brien Announces his plans

Liverpool star looks forward to 2010

Writing to fastrackimages, Jamie said,

Great news for the pre TT. I will have the Cowles Yamaha there for the Post Classic Race. This is the bike that won the TT in 1990 and Manx GP and Southern that year, so we will be returning to the Island once again. I will also be riding the ex-Alan Oversby 400, for team owner Tim Dwerryhouse Racing at Aintree and also the Southern 100 teaming up with Alan Oversby where there will be 2 bikes for us to ride.

Fastrackimages would like to know any more riders' plans for 2010 which can be put on the net.

Post Classic Regulations modified to encourage more Entries

The organisers of the Blackford’s Pre TT Classic Road Races have
amended the Supplementary Regulations for the Post Classic
Race to allow more machines to be eligible for what is traditionally
the final race in the popular races, which herald the start of the TT Festival.
The Post Classic specifications will now read as follows:

601 – 1050cc 4 stroke and 351- 750cc 2 stroke cut off date 31st December 1985.

Up to 600cc 4 stroke cut off date 31st December 1985.

126-250cc Grand Prix Factory Bikes Steel frame or period aluminium frame, and brakes, any wheels,

cut off date 31st December 1985.

126-250cc Standard frames. Standard fairings, No air boxes. Any brakes,

Cut off dates 1st January 1985 to 31st December 1991.

251-350cc Steel frame, and brakes, any wheels, cut of date
31st December 1985.
The general eligibility is that machines are to be manufactured
before 31st December 1985 or manufactured in subsequent
years without substantial alterations.

Manufacturers may also incorporate components of a type
manufactured before 31st December 1985 or manufactured
after that date without substantial alteration.

In particular, and with reference to each machine
Wheels must be of a size available as a 31st December 1985

Suspension systems must be of a type available as at 31st December
1985 (Subject to the replacement of shock absorbers)

Forks must be of a type available as at 31st December 1985
Engines must be of a type available as at 31st December 1985 (with
those manufactured after 31st December 1984 restricted to original capacity)

Carburettors must be of a type available as at 31st December 1985
Frames and swinging arms must be of a type available as at 31st December 1985

Except for two strokes under 350cc where there is no restriction on
either brakes or wheels.

250 Grand Prix factory machines manufactured before must be of a
type available ay 31st December 1985 and are restricted to steel or
period frames, whilst 250cc machines manufactured before
December 1991 are restricted to standard frames and are not permitted
to use air boxes. There are no restrictions regarding exhaust or braking systems.

Regulations and Entry Forms will be available shortly on the club’s official website
www.southern100.com

Billown Circuit Map

2010 Race Programmed Announced

Plans for the 2010 Blackford Financial Services Pre TT
Classic Road Races are well advanced with
Regulations and Entry Forms being available on the
organisers official website from mid-January.
The popular meeting, run on the 4.25-mile Billown
Course, near Castletown in the Isle of Man caters for
250cc & 350cc Singles, Lightweight, Junior, Senior,
Unlimited Classic and Post Classic solo machines, plus
of course the ever spectacular Sidecars.
First organised by the Southern 100 Racing Club in
1988, the event over the years has attracted the best of
the Classic Elite from the British Isles & Europe, who
have provided close, exciting racing, producing a
unique atmosphere as spectators and enthusiasts
mingle with the ever-growing number of competitors.
The event is capped on the Tuesday after the races by
a unique Open Air Concours d' Elegance of Racing
Machines in Castletown Square where many of the
machines are 'fired-up' for everyone's enjoyment and is
followed by the Prize Presentation.
Dates for 2010 are Friday, Saturday and Monday 28th,
29th & 31st May with the Prize Presentation on
Tuesday 1st June.
Further information on the Blackford’s Pre-TT Classic
Road Races or to request regulations when available
contact: georgepeach@manx.net.

Find pic at http://flickr.com/photos/rutoland/2670605353/

Thanks for this

POST TT ROAD RACES SCHEDULE

Following on from the excellent news that Manx Telecom are to be the
title sponsors of the Post TT Road Races on Saturday 12th June 2010,
the organising Southern 100 Club have wasted no time in finalising the
race programme for the event which will bring the 2010 TT Festival to a
close.
Practice for the Manx Telecom Post TT Road Races will take place on
the afternoon of Saturday 12th June to be followed by three eight-lap
Races.
Race 1. 125cc/400cc run concurrently as a two class race.
Race 2. 250cc/ 650cc twins run concurrently as a two class race.
Race 3. 600cc race.
Between practice and racing there will be a break of 45-minutes, allowing
the course to be opened for members of the public. Actual timings have
yet to be finalised and will be announced once Regulations and Entry
Forms are available.
The club looks forward to the continued support of all the two-stroke
sponsors, riders and enthusiasts to ensure the continued success of this
popular meeting and to keep the sights and sights of these unique
machines racing around the Billown Course.

The Club would ask sponsors, entrants and riders to email race secretary
George Peach (georgepeach@manx.net) to indicate their support and
intention to enter the meeting.

Further details will be announced in due course.

MANX TELECOM STEPS IN TO SAVE

BILLOWN POST TT RACES

Manx Telecom is to become the new face of the prestigious Post TT
Races, it has been announced.
The island’s premier telecommunications Company is to sponsor the
2010 event which will take place on the Billown Circuit at the end of
the TT fortnight. The meeting will be officially named The Manx
Telecom Post TT Races.
The sponsorship deal was signed this week between Manx Telecom
and the race organisers, the Southern 100 Club.
The Post TT races, a traditional finale to the TT fortnight which attract
many of the star name road racers, have been a fixture on the Billown
Circuit since 1991. But with the withdrawal of sponsorship from the
Department of Tourism and Leisure following the 2009 meeting, there
were genuine fears that the event would have to be scrapped.

“We are tremendously grateful to Manx Telecom for stepping in and literally saving the event. It
is marvellous news to attract such a high profile sponsor” said Phil Edge, the Southern 100 press Officer

Sales and Marketing Director Andy Bridson said the Company was honoured to be associated with
the Post TT Races. “This is a very prestigious and much loved event in the Isle of Man road racing
calendar and Manx Telecom is proud to have its name associated with it. We look forward to
welcoming all the teams, riders and, of course spectators, to the Billown Circuit next summer for
some exciting racing,” he said.

The Manx Telecom Post TT Races feature the 125cc and 250cc classes but the exact configuration
of the race programme has yet to be decided. The event will be staged on Saturday June 12, the
day after the Senior TT. Should the Senior TT be postponed to the Saturday, then the Manx
Telecom Post TT races will take place on Sunday June 13.

Attached photograph shows Andy Bridson and Phil Taubman (Southern 100 Chairman) signing the
agreement as Phil Edge (Press Officer), Voirrey Barron (Manx Telecom Marketing Communications
Manager) & George Peach (Race Secretary) witness the event.

Phil Edge Press Liasion Officer
77 Lord Street
Douglas
Isle of Man
IM1 1LN
Tel: 01624 - 666021
Mobile: 07624 - 479885
philedge@manx.net
www.southern100.com
'The Friendly Meetings'

2010 Race Calendar - Billown Course

Blackford’s Pre-TT Classic Road Races: 28th, 29th & 31st May
Manx Telecom Post TT Races: 12th June ;

Steam Packet Southern 100 12th, 13th, 14th & 15th July

250 Strokers droppped from North West

Phil Harvey was third in the 2009 NW Lightweight Race

Despite the keen racing in this class which has characterised the last few years, the decision to drop the class announced below has come as a keen disappointment to the riders of these machines.

International North West 200 organisers Coleraine & District Motor Club Ltd will next year promote a six race programme following a decision to remove the 250cc race category. The revised programme will comprise a 125cc and Superstock race, two 600cc Supersport and two Superbike races.

Speaking on behalf of the new management team, Race Director Mervyn Whyte MBE said, “Having considered this option for the past couple of years we now believe the time is right to discontinue the 250cc category. Two stroke bikes no longer feature in Grand Prix or British Superbike race programmes and as a result manufacturers have reduced the number of models and ranges produced each year.”

“We therefore don’t have the same number of teams nor individual competitors wanting to enter this particular class and having taken all these factors into consideration, felt it was appropriate to promote a strong six race event in 2010.”

Thursday Practice Day contemplated

The NW200 management team have also proposed significant changes to the Thursday practice session. “In response to competitor and team feedback, the Coleraine Club is examining opportunities to hold our traditional Thursday Practice Race during the day as opposed to later in the evening. We would anticipate roads closing on Thursday morning at 9.30am and re-opening at 3pm and believe it would cause less disruption to residents and the business community as well as providing important additional machine set up and practice time for riders and in particular event newcomers.”

Coleraine & District Motor Club is currently consulting with key organisations and business people as well as local residents. Tuesday evening practice and Saturday Race Day timings are set to remain the same.

Reeves gearing up for 2010 World Championship assault

Tim Reeves has declared himself more prepared than ever for the World Sidecar Championship after successful tests recently at Cartagena, Spain. The former triple World Champion finished 3rd in the 2009 series after an up and down year but a change in both passenger and engine manufacturer has seen the Dundrod-based Englishman extremely happy with his progress and confident of reclaiming the title he last won in 2007.

For 2010, Reeves will be Honda-powered for the 8-round Championship, a significant move away from the Suzuki-dominated class, whilst he has also made the switch to Maxton suspension and he has already seen major benefits in the new outfit. In addition, Gregory Cluze will be passengering Tim in his World Championship assault and the Frenchman is no stranger to competing at the highest level, having finished 4th overall in both 2007 and 2008 (with Sebastien Delannoy) and 7th in 2009 (with Mike Roscher). The recent 3-day test at Cartagena saw the duo have their first outing together and they were immediately on lap record pace

Thanks to Phil Wain for this.

Cummins stays with McAdoo for 2010

Cummins at Metropole 2009 NW 200

McAdoo Kawasaki Racing are delighted to announce the re-signing of Conor Cummins for the 2010 road racing season.

After a terrific 2009, Conor has put pen to paper on a new deal to continue racing for McAdoo Kawasaki on the open roads, as well as signing for the Black Horse Kawasaki Superstock team to compete at BSB level.

Conrod’s impressive year included two TT podiums, becoming only the third rider in history to record an official 130+mph TT lap, an outright lap record at the Southern 100, a world record lap of 133.28mph at Dundrod where he won two Superbike races, and most recently, runner-up at the Macau GP, pushing Stuart Easton all the way to the flag.

Conor commented “I’m extremely pleased to continue riding for the McAdoo Kawasaki Racing team – we’ve had an awesome season together and hopefully, 2010 will be better again. I love the Kawasaki Ninja bikes and McAdoo Kawasaki are the official Kawasaki UK Road Racing team again for 2010, so it’s great for me. I’m also chuffed to be competing full time next year on the Kawasaki’s as I’ve also signed to race British Superstock for Black Horse Kawasaki, the official Kawasaki UK Superstock team. It couldn’t be better really, roll on 2010!!”

Team owner, Winston McAdoo is equally pleased: “It’s terrific news for us to have signed Conor again for 2010. We’ve always believed the lad is a top class rider and I’d like to think we played our part in proving that this season. He really is at the top of his game, and at just 23 years of age, the most exciting rider in road racing, bar none. We’ll be working hard over the winter to give him what he needs to win. The Kawasaki ZX-6R and ZX-10R are extremely competitive bikes and with the help of our engine tuners Race Techniques and Cosworth, we hope to further unleash the potential of the Ninja bikes for 2010. There’s no reason why we can’t build on our success of this season and perhaps, take it a step further.”

Thanks to Paddock Gossip for this

Guy Martin joins Wilson Craig's Outfit

Wilson Craig Racing Team is very pleased to have secured Guy Martin as their rider for the 2010 season. This establishes an old relationship with Guy because the very first bike Wilson sponsored back in 2005 was ridden by him.

Wilson Craig Racing is a small team only established in Feb 2008 and has already had success at national and international level. Wilson has gathered some of the best people in the business to build and work on the development of his bikes. Guy has every confidence in these people and has been blown away by their commitment to Wilson Craig Racing.

Guy has described joining the team as going back to basics. He wants to muck in with the boys, work on the bikes, even make the tea. Wilson Craig Racing believe that Guy is one of the best riders of this era and he believes that the bikes are among the best on the grid, so there is no doubt that the partnership can GO BIG and have a great 2010 season.