Southern 100 cancelled for 2021 due to Covid-19 restrictions

THE 2021 running of the Southern 100 has been cancelled by the organisers due to ongoing Covid-19 restrictions in the area.

The main issue affecting the event is the Chief Medical Officer’s concern that a sufficient level of medical cover for the event could be attained. With the majority of the marshals and medical staff travelling to the event from other areas of the country, there was no guarantee that the event wouldn’t adversely affect Coronavirus transmission rates.

The organisers did investigate if a date later in the year could be found to host the events, although it was deemed that the same situation would still exist.

A statement from the chairman George Peach reads:

“It is very disappointing that the club has had to make this decision after what appeared circumstances would be favourable to run the Southern 100 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.”