Glover - Southern 100 sidecar suspension felt 'completely inevitable'

Former commentator believes work to help class needs to start soon

A former commentator at the Southern 100 Road Races says he thinks the decision to exclude sidecars from this year's event felt 'completely inevitable.'

Yesterday (3 June), the Southern 100 Club announced the decision to remove three-wheelers from next month's meeting on the Billown Course, citing safety concerns in a move closely mirroring the suspension of the class at this year's TT

As well as previously being a broadcaster at the Billown meeting, Tim Glover is an MHK for Arbory, Castletown & Malew - the constituency in which the event takes place.

He says whilst it's positive to hear both the TT and Southern 100 do want to keep sidecars in the long-term, work to resolve the current situation needs to start sooner rather than later:

In its statement on the matter, the Southern 100 Club said: “In light of the current uncertainties, surrounding the stability of modern sidecar designs under certain racing conditions, the club believes that running the class without a definitive, expert-led technical review would introduce an unacceptable level of risk.”

However, the organisation says it will be a 'temporary pause' on the class, adding it remains 'fully committed to sidecar racing and will actively participate in the upcoming wider consultation process alongside the TT organiser, promoter and industry experts to ensure the class can return to the Billown Course safely in 2027.'

The move followed less than a week after it was announced the sidecar class was being suspended for the remainder of the ongoing 2026 Isle of Man TT Races.

Race officials on the Snaefell Mountain Course described it as a 'precautionary measure' on safety grounds whilst Clerk of the Course, Gary Thompson stated it was not the end for sidecars at the TT and that they will be consulting with teams going forward on the future of the class.