Southern 100 set to go ahead in 2021

Organisers of the Southern 100 have revealed that plans for next year’s event are continuing as normal and, as things stand, the racing will go ahead.

Fears are growing for next year’s road racing season following the cancellation of the Isle of Man TT for the second consecutive year. The coronavirus pandemic has, understandably, played havoc with the road racing calendar. 

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This year’s Southern 100 event was cancelled, as was the North West 200 and Macau Grand Prix. The Ulster GP was also called off for financial reasons. 

Things are looking much brighter for the Southern 100 following a meeting between event directors to discuss the planning and organisation for next year’s race meeting. The Provisional dates for next year’s visit to the 4.25-mile Billown course are Monday July 12 to Thursday July 15. 

Whilst it’s a positive sign, organisers have stressed that ‘events may have to be cancelled due to circumstances and Isle of Man government policy in force prior to and during the event’.

“Southern 100 Racing would ask Competitors, Officials, Marshals, and spectators to ensure that all accommodation bookings and travel arrangements made are changeable or refundable should the provisional dates have to be changed,” the statement reads.

“Our partners, The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company Limited are already publicising that bookings made now will not be subject to amendment fees and fully refundable should events be re-scheduled or cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. If travelling by air, please check with your airline company.”

Organisers are also reminding people who are planning to travel to the Isle of Man to ensure that they have sufficient health insurance. The reciprocal agreement between the Isle of Man Health Service and the UK National Health Service only covers initial emergency treatment in hospital.

“Any additional service must be (hopefully) covered by personal insurance, or you could end up paying! (Competitors are covered in the case of a racing incident),” organisers added.