Dean Harrison sets the pace in opening S100 qualifying

Paul Jordan also impresses during first night at Billown

Dean Harrison set down the fastest benchmark during opening qualifying at the 2026 Southern 100 Road Races last night (6 July).

The Honda Racing UK rider set the quickest time of Monday evening in the Superbike class with a time of two minutes, 13.525 seconds - a full three seconds clear of nearest challenger, Nathan Harrison (two minutes, 16.607 seconds).

Completing the fastest top three on the night was Mike Browne less than three-tenths of a second further back (two minutes, 16.858 seconds).

Meanwhile, in a busy Supersport field, Paul Jordan was the man to beat at two minutes, 20.241 seconds of those in the Supersport (Yellow Plate) category.

However, there was little to separate him at the front from local rider, Joe Yeardsley (two minutes, 20.635 seconds) and Browne (two minutes, 20.798 seconds) who also found themselves firmly in the mix.

Elsewhere, in the Supersport (White Plate) session, it was Matthew Rostron on form, setting the pace at two minutes, 34.930 seconds.

Slotting in behind Rostron was an impressive showing from newcomer, Joey Lambden who went second-quickest in that category at two minutes, 36.589 seconds whilst Daniel Pearson followed only marginally further back at two minutes, 36.613 seconds.

Outside of those and in the one Lightweight timed practice that took place, it was Jordan again out front with the top pace of two minutes, 25.391 seconds, over a second quicker than second-fastest, Joe Yeardsley at two minutes, 26.860 seconds who was followed in turn by Michael Sweeney at two minutes, two minutes, 29.263 seconds.

Finally, the Classic Sidecar class also got a runout in a session which was initially disrupted due to a red flag - of the short time the three-wheeled machines had out on course last night, Kieran Clarke and Rob Coppock were quickest at two minutes, 50.821 seconds, more than 13 seconds ahead of Alun Thomas and Andrew Miller (three minutes, 4.523 seconds) who were the next fastest outfit.

Qualifying resumes at the Southern 100 Road Races tonight (7 July) with timed practice for all solo and sidecar competitors.

Roads around the Billown Course are due to shut at 6pm and reopen no later than 9.40pm.