Clutching your race programs, feel the rumble beneath your feet at Stadium Bends. This isn’t just a curve on the Billown Circuit. It’s a pivotal moment in the Southern 100. The Southern 100, first held in 1955, is known as “The Friendly Races.” It’s a thrilling mass-start road race around the 4.25-mile Billown Circuit. Stadium Bends comes near the end. Riders have navigated the Ballakeighan right-hander, the fearsome Iron Gate, and the tight Ballabeg hairpin. They’ve blasted through Ballawhetstone, Williams Corner, and Billown Dip. They’ve braked hard for Cross Fourways and maneuvered the Church Bends. Now, they approach Stadium Bends, a fast, sweeping curve that leads to the final hairpin and the finish line. Imagine the roar of engines as bikes lean into the bend. The tension is palpable as riders push their limits, vying for the coveted title of “King of Billown.” A title eternally held by the late Joey Dunlop, who achieved an astounding 31 wins at the Southern 100. The current lap record at Billown Circuit stands at a breathtaking 115.267 mph, set by Michael Dunlop in 2017. As the bikes accelerate out of Stadium Bends and towards the finish, the crowd erupts. The cheers echo across the Isle of Man, celebrating not just speed and skill, but the enduring spirit of road racing.
The Curragh Nature Reserve
Wallabies in the Isle of Man? The Curragh Nature Reserve is full of surprises. This wetland area has a rich