The SMT Racing duo of Tim Reeves and Dan Sayle were in sparkling form at a sun-drenched Southern 100 this week and they added the prestigious Championship to the Isle of Man TT win taken earlier this year.
 
Competing on the 4.25-mile Billown course, the pairing got the week underway in Tuesday evening’s non-Championship race and having won the same race in 2012, Tim and Dan were keen to serve up a repeat performance. And that’s exactly what they did. Holding onto a comfortable lead from Ben and Tom Birchall, the race was stopped early and the result taken at the end of four laps, which meant Tim and Dan took the win by 1.107s.
 
The 6-lap Championship race took place on Thursday afternoon and with scorching conditions on the island, it was the Birchall brothers who grabbed the holeshot to take an early lead. However, Tim and Dan were biding their time and soon moved into the lead going onto open up some breathing space over the Birchalls and the third placed crew of Ian and Carl Bell. In the closing stages of the race, Tim eased off slightly which allowed the two outfits behind to close up but he had it all under control and took the chequered flag to clinch the Southern 100 Championship.
 
Speaking afterwards, a delighted Tim said; “Enjoy that! I’m over the moon to add the Southern 100 Championship to our TT win and it’s particularly sweet after being forced to retire from last year’s race. My plan this time was to win at the slowest possible speed so once I’d passed Ben and Tom and got a bit of a gap I just tried to control it as best I could. The pace was still hot with 98mph+ laps but it was a great race and with the double victory it’s been perfect.”
 
“We worked hard for it and Dan and I went out quite a bit in the car just to study the course and work out where we could improve. It’s only my second time here whilst Dan’s been coming a lot longer and tapping into that experience paid dividends. He’s a really talented lad and we’re having a great season on the roads so thanks to the whole team for all their hard work and efforts this week.”
 
Sadly, the week was marred by the tragic deaths of three competitors in separate accidents and everyone at SMT Racing would like to extend their deepest condolences to the family and friends of those concerned.
 
The team will next be in action at Brands Hatch on July 19-21 for the next round of the British Championships.
 
Picture by Glynne Lewis.