THE reigning Southern 100 solo and sidecar champions - Ryan Farquhar and Klaus Klaffenbock and Dan Sayle - head the list of riders to return to the circuit in July.

However, four former champions are also lined up to compete for the top honours in the annual event which starts on July 11 and is sponsored again by the Steam Packet.

The former champions are Guy Martin, solo champion in 2009, Cameron Donald (2006) and Ian Lougher a five times champion (2002/04/05/07/08), will provide serious opposition.

Another major contender is Michael Dunlop,fresh from his TT win and Manx Telecom Post TT victory less than a month ago on the same Billown circuit.

Other top riders include William Dunlop, along with other course specialists, Roy Richardson, Mark Buckley, John Burrows and ‘Spirit of the TT Winner’ Conor Cummins.

Three-times sidecar champion Ian Bell, with son Carl in the chair, will challenge Klaffenbock, as will first time TT winners John Holden and Andy Winkle. Simon Neary, Greg Lambert, Gary Bryan and Roy Hanks are also amongst the crews competing.

In the smaller capacity classes, rivalry will be renewed between Chris Palmer, William Dunlop, Ian Lougher, Dan Sayle, Barry Davidson, Roy Richardson, Phil Harvey, Lee Vernon, Nigel Moore and Chris McGahan.

The 2011 Steam Packet Southern 100 International Road Races start on Monday evening July 11, with Roads Closing at 6.05pm until no later than 9.40pm. Tuesday 12 and Wednesday 13 at the same times and Championship Day, Thursday July 14 between 9.50am and 12.15pm then 1.00pm until 5.45pm at the latest.

The unique and very popular prize presentation ceremony takes place in Castletown Square on Thursday evening from 7.00pm to midnight and is not to be missed.