After the disappointment of missing the Centenary TT due to injury, Cameron Donald will be hoping to secure some Isle of Man success when he returns to the Southern 100.
The popular Australian is among the big names lined up to compete in the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company-backed races.
The Southern 100, now in its 52nd year, will be held on July 9 to 12 on the 4.25-mile Billown Circuit outside Castletown.
Donald, solo champion last year, heads an all-star entry list.
Three-times solo champion Ian Lougher will be out to regain the title he last won in 2005, but the Ulster-based Welshman won’t be the only competitor wanting to wrest the coveted Derek Ennett Trophy away from Donald on Championship Day.
On-form Manxman Conor Cummins, who took the honours in the recent feature race at the Steam Packet Road Races and was a star of the Centenary TT, will line up on the grid alongside, Guy Martin – who scored three podium finishes at TT 2007 – Martin Finnegan, Chris Palmer, Paul Hunt, Davy Morgan, Gary Carswell, Ian Armstrong and Paul Cranston to name but a few.
The Dunlop family will be the centre of attention in the ‘smaller’ classes with Robert, Michael and William all taking part. Once again, the likes of local men Chris Palmer, Tony Cawte and Daniel Sayle will ensure that the race to the chequered flag is close and competitive. And then you add in the likes of Roy Richardson, Mark Parrett, Nigel Moore, Ulster Champion Darren Burns and Barry Davidson!
The Classics are likely to provide some of the most exciting racing, as well as bringing the sights, sound and smells of a past era, as Allan Brew, Derek Whalley, John Knowles, Alec Whitwell, Alan Oversby, Dave Madsen-Mygdal and more do battle.
Also hoping to make up for a disappointing Centenary TT will be sidecar outfit Nick Crowe, the 2006 champion, and his new passenger fellow Manxman Daniel Sayle.
As their misfortune on the Mountain Circuit proved, results are not a foregone conclusion. Roy Hanks, Kenny Howles, Greg Lambert, Glyn Jones and others – including former world champion Klaus Klaffenbock making his debut at Billown – will be trying to take the chequered flag first.
The meeting gets underway on the Monday evening with a full session of practices, while the Tuesday opens with a final practice period, followed by the first two races of the meeting. Wednesday is dedicated to more racing, concluding with Championship Day on Thursday, with races morning and afternoon.
The finale to the 2007 Steam Packet International Southern 100 Road Races is the open air Prize Presentation in Castletown Square on the Thursday evening – a unique atmosphere, where everyone can honour all the competitors that have taken part in the meeting known as ‘the friendly races.’