Sidecars excluded from Southern 100

Temporary pause’ to safeguard long-term future of category

Southern 100 Road Races has confirmed sidecars will be excluded from this year's event.

It follows a ‘comprehensive consultation process’ after they were also pulled from the 2026 TT Races.

You can find out more HERE.

Organisers say the clerk of the course and senior technical officials have spent the last week evaluating whether ‘safe, robust and enforceable regulatory modifications’ could be introduced for the Billown Course.

“Sidecars have been an integral, spectacular part of the "Friendly Races" for decades, and we share the profound disappointment that will be felt by the teams, drivers, passengers, and fans.” - Southern 100 Club

In a statement the Southern 100 Club says: “Input from the ACU compliance structure and leading competitors highlighted that the complex aerodynamic and technical questions currently facing the prototype class cannot be responsibly resolved within the short five-week timeframe available before our event.

“As a club our absolute priority must always be the safety of our competitors, marshals, officials, and spectators.

“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.”

The Southern 100 Club says its ‘deeply saddened’ to have to make this decision saying it's a ‘temporary pause’ to safeguard the long-term future of the category.

It adds: “The Southern 100 Club 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 event will take place between 6-9 July.

Southern 100 Road Races has told Manx Radio it won't make any further comment at this time.