The 2021 edition of the Southern 100 Races has been cancelled as a result of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The Isle of Man Steam Packet-sponsored meeting had been scheduled to take place on the Billown course between July 12-15, but the uncertainty surrounding the island’s borders has forced organisers to call the event off.

Southern 100 club chairman and race secretary George Peach commented: ’It is very disappointing that the club have had to make this decision after it had appeared that circumstances would be favourable to run the S100 in July as normal.

’Behind the scenes during the winter we have been busy getting all the paperwork in order and in constant contact with our race partners, sponsors, government agencies and others vital to getting the races organised and ready to run - all of whom have been fully behind us for the races to be run on their traditional dates.

’It will certainly be a major blow to our competitors, many of whom make the Southern 100 their feature event of the year, as well as the numerous fans and enthusiasts who travel across annually to enjoy the exciting close massed-start races on the Colas Billown Course - all of which were prevented from attending in 2020 and were looking forward to making their journeys across the Irish Sea later this year.’

More in this week’s Manx Independent, on sale Thursday.