The Southern 100 is a remarkable road race that has always been so much more than the sum of its parts.

Nicknamed the ‘Friendly Races’ for the warm welcome it extends to all who race or watch, for sixty years the Southern 100 has been a firm favourite on the road racing calendar.

Raced on the technical 4.25 mile Billown Course, which has hardly changed since the first races in 1955, greats like Bob McIntyre, John Hartle, Joey Dunlop, Ray McCullough, Brian Reid and Phil McCallen have carved their own pieces of Southern 100 history.

Some racers have become almost synonymous with ‘Southern’, in particular Ian Lougher and Chris Palmer, who each became great supporters of the races and in return received plenty of support from the fans.

Here we have mined a rich vein of nostalgia to bring together a fascinating history of the first sixty years of the Southern 100.

Packed with footage and photographs showing some of the most memorable moments from Derek Ennett’s win in the inaugural 350cc event to the great battles between Guy Martin and Michael Dunlop of recent years.

"The Southern 100 celebrated its diamond jubilee this year - Classic Racer."

"This is a superb memento of an historic year for the Southern 100."