The new Southern 100 Race Control has been officially opened in Castletown.

It was opened by Vanda Nicholson, daughter of the club’s late president, Derek Nicholson, who was instrumental in planning the new facility before his untimely death in 2017.

Current president, Phil Taubman MBE, welcomed the invited guests, all of whom had been involved in various ways with the building project - financial, technical, material, services and time.

Guests were invited to tours of the new building, with clerk of the course Peter Oakes running through the facilities.

Enterprise Minister Laurence Skelly MHK presented a silver salver to Mr Taubman, commemorating the official opening.

He wished the club continued success with the races in years to come.

Mr Taubman said it was sixth race control in the races’ history. The first, on the opposite side of the road, was the commentary box from Ballacraine in 1955.

It was followed by a Civil Defence wooden hut, a green hut and two Leyland Atlantean buses.

The 50th anniversary year, 2005, saw the arrival of two portable cabins, which were in use until last year.

They were removed after the July races.

Work started on the new building in November.

The new race control was used for the first time in May at the Blackford’s Pre-TT Classic Road Races.