THIS year's Southern 100 International Road Races will form part of the Two Stroke Racing Supporters Club 250cc Championship.
Joe Wright, organiser of the long running series, said: "It's really looking good for the strokers' this year, a new sponsor has come on board with a vital lifeline, and a cash injection to the club, which will see the 250 championship worth a staggering €10,000 in total prize money.
"We as a club believe this to be the biggest ever prize fund to be offered for any championship."
The season will kick off at Cookstown, moving to Tandragee and includes rounds at Bush, Athea, Skerries, Kells, Walderstown, Faugheen, Armoy, Mid Antrim, Ulster Grand Prix, Killalane, and two point scoring rounds at the Sunflower race meeting at Bishopscourt - 14 rounds in total.
Adding an International flavour to the series there will be two scoring rounds at the Southern 100, in July.
The prize fund will see the first place rider receive €2,500, second will get €2,000 and third €1,000.
The fund will pay out to 10th place where the rider will receive €300.
The championship winner will receive the Gary Dynes Memorial Cup in memory of one of the great two stroke riders of his era.
The club will also receive two new cups in memory of two riders who lost their lives in the sport - the second and third placed rider will receive the Mark Young Memorial Cup, and the Andrew Neil Memorial Cup respectively.
All 250cc riders are being asked to contact the Two Stroke Racing Supporters Club immediately with their intentions of racing in the championship this year.
They should get in touch with A. J. Hughes, 6 St. Catherine's Park, Rush Co. Dublin, or Joe Wright, The Cottage, Loughshinny, Co. Dublin, or by email at, two-stroke-joe@hotmail.com
You can also find the club's details on the website www.irishroadracers.com
Joe added: "We are really looking forward to the new season and are very much indebted to our new sponsor who asked to remain anonymous at the present time. We hope to see full grids at every race meeting, especially with the lure of big cash, it may well see some new faces to the national road race scene.
"We wish everyone a safe year ahead."
Race secretary of the Southern 100 George Peach said: "As organisers we are very honoured that the Southern 100 is to be included in this prestigious championship and hopefully the two stroke boys will ensure that the grid is full for the two 250cc races which we run during the July races.
"They are all sure to receive the warmest of welcomes when they arrive at Billown for 'the friendly races'."
The first of the two 250cc eight lap races at the Southern 100 takes place on Wednesday, July 13 and the second will be on Thursday, July 14.
