Martin takes Solo Championship Crown

Hydrex Honda's Guy Martin finally got his hands on the Southern 100 Championship trophy when he won Thursday's 9-lap race around the 4.25-mile Billown circuit on the Isle of Man.

Having finished second in 2005, 2006 and 2007, Guy got the better of Ryan Farquhar by just over one tenth of a second after a thrilling contest to add his name to the famous trophy for the first time and this rounded off his week in perfect fashion having taken two runner-up spots earlier in the week.

Thursday's feature race was, arguably, one of the best ever witnessed in the 54-year history of the Southern 100 as Guy, Ryan Farquhar, Michael Dunlop and Conor Cummins battled constantly throughout the 9 laps. With perfect conditions on the Island, positions were exchanged at nearly every corner but in the closing stages Guy managed to get a small gap over his pursuers and although Farquhar closed rapidly on the final lap, Guy just had enough to hold him off, getting the win by 0.163s; indeed, less than three quarters of a second separated the quartet at the chequered flag.

Guy's Solo Championship victory along with two second places in the other 'Superbike' races moves him into ninth place in the Duke Rankings, a climb of ten places.

The remaining rounds in July are Jurby South Road Races in the Isle of Man, followed by the Kells International Road Races and Faugheen Road Races in Southern Ireland.