Lincolnshire's Ivan Lintin claimed his maiden Southern 100 victory this week when he took a record-breaking win in Wednesday evening's Lightweight race around the 4.25-mile Billown course but then experienced the lows of racing just minutes later when he was involved in a four-rider crash in the Supersport race, fortunately escaping with just bruising.
 
With conditions perfect all week on the Isle of Man, Ivan started the week in fine style when he took the 1000cc Taylor Lindsey Racing Honda to a good sixth place in the opening Superbike race, setting a new personal best lap in excess of 109mph. However, he went better still a day later when he took an excellent fourth in the second Superbike race, only beaten by Dean Harrison, Dan Kneen and Michael Dunlop. He also broke the 110mph barrier for the first time with his best lap of 110.512mph elevating him to the 11th fastest rider of all time around the demanding road circuit.
 
The opening Lightweight race immediately followed and, riding the Tigcraft Kawasaki, Ivan was never headed and led from start to finish to take a brilliant first ever victory at the Southern 100. With the fastest lap of the race, 103.458mph he also claimed a new lap record and won the Walter Wain Trophy in the process.
 
With little respite, Ivan then jumped on the Taylor Lindsey Racing 600cc Honda for the Supersport 600cc race but his race was over before it had begun when he was involved in a four-rider crash at the opening corner. Local hero Conor Cummins crashed out and with no room to avoid a collision, Ivan, James Cowton and Tom Parkes all went down in the ensuing melee. Although no bones were broken, Ivan suffered a bruised sternum and it meant he had to sit out the remaining three races on Thursday.
 
Ivan Lintin: "I've certainly experienced the highs and lows of racing this week, going from winning my first ever Southern 100 race to lying on the floor feeling very second hand, all in the space of about 30 minutes! Conor highsided at Ballakeighan, which is a tight corner at the best of times, and, being unsighted somewhat, I crashed into the back of James Cowton. I took a real whack to my chest and thought I'd broken some ribs but it turned out to be a bruised sternum and with the circuit being extremely physically demanding, I decided to sit out Thursday's racing. I didn't want to risk injuring myself further nor hinder any other riders so it was the right thing to do as there'll always be another day. The bike fared worse than me though as it somersaulted down the road so there's a fair bit of repair work to be done."
 
"Prior to that, I couldn't have been happier with how the week was going and after coming close last year, it felt great to win the Lightweight race at last. I had a game plan of trying to get away in the first couple of laps and that's exactly what happened. I never looked back at all and just kept going all the way to the end. I was over the moon with the big bike as well, not just with the results but also lapping at over 110mph for the first time. The Superbike's have more straight line speed than the Superstock bike but each time I ride it I feel happier and happier so to finish fourth was a brilliant result for me. Obviously, it would have nice to have had three more races on Thursday but that's racing and we'll look forward now to getting some good results at Scarborough and the Ulster Grand Prix."
 
Although the 600cc Taylor Lindsey Racing Honda was badly damaged in the fall, Ivan hopes to be back in action at next weekend's Cock o' the North Trophy races at Oliver's Mount, Scarbrorough where he'll be on board the 1000cc Taylor Lindsey Racing Honda and Tigcraft Kawasaki once more.
 
Pictures by Glynne Lewis