Southern 100: Rain and red flags hit opening race

The opening Corlett's Trophies 600/1000 race of the 2015 Southern 100 was postponed on Tuesday as poor weather and red-flag incidents combined to leave the event organisers playing catch-up.

Practice on Monday was hit by heavy rain and an oil spill on the Billown course on the Isle of Man and more inclement weather prevailed on the second night of the Diamond Jubilee meeting.

Bradford's Dean Harrison came off in the 1000cc practice session on the Mar-Train Yamaha, forcing a red fag situation but fortunately escaping unscathed.

RC Express Kawasaki rider Ivan Lintin completed a clean sweep of the solo practice sessions in the 1000cc, 600cc and Supertwins classes.

Lintin headed Tyco BMW's Guy Martin in the 1000cc session with a lap of 99.462mph, around four seconds quicker than the current Solo Champion. Harrison posted the third fastest time despite his spill at 96.730mph.

In the 600cc class, Lintin again went top with a best lap of 92.886mph to lead the way from Harrison and Manx rider Dan Kneen on the Valvoline Padgetts Honda.

He also set the pace in the Supertwins session at 91.110mph to go comfortably clear of James Cowton (88.624mph).

The Corlett's Trophies 600/1000 Senior Solo Founders race was started in the wet conditions following practice and it was Martin who had the bit between his teeth from Lintin when the race was red-flagged on the second lap.

An incident was reported at Osborne's, with the competitor involved airlifted to Noble's Hospital but believed to have escaped serious injury.

Due to time restrictions and fading light, the decision was taken to postpone the race until later in the week.

A revised schedule for practice and racing is set to be confirmed for Wednesday.