MOTOR Cycle News (MCN) has praised the Southern 100 motorcycle race meeting which was held on the Billown Circuit in the south of the Island last month.

The motorcycling publication described the races as 'a blast' and sports editor Gary Pinchin, who visited this year's event, described the racing as 'incredible'.

The feature also included a guide to the races, explaining why 'The Southern 100 Rocks'.

A number of leading road racers took part in this year's meeting including William and Michael Dunlop, Guy Martin, Ian Lougher, Cameron Donald, Ryan Farquhar and local riders Conor Cummins, Dan Kneen and Chris
Palmer.

Michael Dunlop took the championship honours in both the 600cc and 1000cc races, while there were also race wins for Guy Martin, Ryan Farquhar, William Dunlop and Chris Palmer.

The top sidecar competitors also turned out for the meeting with Klaus

Klaffenböck/Dan Sayle narrowly beating Simon Neary/Jason Slous and Ian and Carl Bell in the Championship Race.

Mr Pinchin also praised the Southern 100 Club, describing the 'military precision' with which the organising committee ran the event and felt that the paddock was 'the most relaxed place on earth'.

He was a guest of the Department of Economic Development and the government's motorsport team also invited a number of other leading UK bike journalists over to experience the event.

The move is part of a programme to improve the promotion of a number of events in the Isle of Man, increase the number of visitors and provide a boost to the local economy.

Political member for Isle of Man Tourism Geoff Corkish MHK said: "Congratulations are due to the Southern 100 Club for once again running an excellent meeting.

"It is really encouraging to receive such positive feedback for the event from some of the UK's leading bike journalists and we hope that we can encourage more visitors and residents to enjoy this great event."

The Southern 100, which started in 1955, is known by competitors and fans alike as 'the friendly races'.