There was a packed room at the Best Western Palace Hotel & Casino on Saturday evening for Southern 100 Racing Club’s annual dinner.

Following on from the previous evening’s combined media launch for the 2019 Southern 100, Pre-TT Classic and Post-TT road race meetings at Morton Hall in Castletown, there were a number of additional presentations.

The loudest applause was for club chairman, George Peach, was rendered speechless when presented with an illuminated address by Castletown Commissioners chairman Colin Leather in recognition of his service to the ’Friendly Races’ and the town in general.

George first joined the Southern 100 committee in 1982, becoming secretary in 1989 and elevated to chairman in February 2018.

In thanking the Commissioners, George reserved a special mention for his wife, Sue, commenting: ’None of my involvement with the events over the years would have been possible without her support and backing.’

The framed citation reads as follows: ’Presented to George Philip Peach in recognition of his tireless, long and committed public service to Castletown, the Southern 100 Motorcycle Club and the motorcycle community worldwide.

’It is recognised that he is a long-standing member of the Southern 100 club, joining the committee in 1982 and being appointed in 2018 at the club’s chairman, being the sixth such appointment since the organisation was inaugurated in 1955, to organise the Billown Course events, known as the ’Friendly Races’.

’We, the undersigned Commissioners for the town of Castletown, record on behalf of its residents sincere thanks and gratitude for many years of dedication to the Southern 100 races, its competitors and fans, as well as to Castletown and the Isle of Man.

’This illuminated address is a token of our thanks for your devoted service which has been given freely and without hesitation.’

It was signed by the chairman, members and town clerk on February 16, 2019.