The latest trio of rounds for the 2024 King of the Roads championship took place at the Southern 100 on the Isle of Man. The 4 mile Billown Course on the south of the Island has been hosting road races for nearly 70 years, with sporting legends like multi world champions Phil Read, Brian Reid and Joey Dunlop all winning at the venue, and more recently, Ian Lougher, Phillip McCallen and Guy Martin. A week of practice and racing, which includes three Senior events, culminates in the Championship race on Thursday evening, a 9 lap dash for the number 1 plate.
In 2024, the event has attracted a star entry list, including Imatranajo winner Erno Kostamo, and former Southern 100 champions Dean Harrison and Michael Dunlop, as well as the current number 1, Davey Todd. Further competition from Dominic Herbertson, Jamie Coward, Paul Jordan and Rob Hodson will ensure points wont be easy to come by.
The start of the event was interrupted by the cancellation of the opening night of practice, which meant a compacted schedule. This was further compounded by a heavy rain shower the following day, which forced the cancellation of the opening points paying Senior race.
This meant that Championship Day would feature the two remaining Senior races, and bright sunshine greeted the riders on race day morning. Davey Todd and Michael Dunlop had been the class of the field throughout qualifying, and it was expected to be a two horse race between this pairing again.
The first Senior race was particularly exciting, as the two former Champions battled lap after lap for the lead, trading positions and fastest times. Ultimately, Dunlop would hold on, finishing less than a tenth clear of Todd after 7 laps, his first win of the season. Dean Harrison was a valiant third aboard his Honda, closely pursued by Jamie Coward.
After the battles seen in the day’s opening Senior race, more of the same was expected for that afternoons Solo Championship race. Todd and Dunlop would once more trade times and position for the duration, but this time it was Todd who managed to eke out a few seconds in the last laps to win his second Solo Championship in a row. Dunlop second while Dean Harrison collected more valuable points for third place.
With 10 races of 15 complete, the championship is now firmly in its second half, and Davey Todd has taken the top spot, 5 points ahead of Dunlop. Kostamo meanwhile scored two solid finishes on the Isle of Man and remains in championship contention in third place.
Rounds in Wales and Macau will close the King of the Roads campaign, but first is the Armoy Race of Legends in Northern Ireland at the end of July.
