Classic race planned in place of excluded sidecars

Classic sidecar racing is set to be introduced during next month's Southern 100 road races following the exclusion of the modern class on safety grounds.

The decision about the Isle of Man's Billow Course event followed the suspension of sidecar racing at this year's TT after a review of a crash in qualifying.

However, organisers said the design of the classic machines meant they were "entirely unaffected by the current regulatory pause" and could be raced under separate technical regulations.

Entry will be free for teams who want to take part due to the "incredible generosity of a private benefactor", they added.

The Southern 100 road races take place between 6 and 9 July on the 4.25-mile (6.8km) Billown Course in the south of the island.

The classic machines were last run on the island during the Pre-TT Classic races, held on the same course in late May.

Organisers said the proposed races would "run strictly under the established technical regulations" for those races.

"Because these traditional machines do not utilise the complex prototype aerodynamic features or flat-floor designs of their modern counterparts, they are entirely unaffected by the current regulatory pause affecting the modern class," they added.

Clerk of the course Giles Olley said the club was "deeply saddened to have to pause the modern sidecar class this year".

However, he said organisers "must look forward" and introducing a classic race was "a fantastic solution" that came "directly from discussions within the paddock".

"The message from the club is clear - if the teams enter and we can build a viable grid, the races will go ahead," he said, adding: "Newcomers to the event especially are very welcome."

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