Carryduff Forklifts/GSMCC rider Michael Pearson has been forced to give this years Southern 100 Road Races in the Isle of Man a miss, due to tight financial restraints on the Team made it impossible to attend the event on the week commencing July 12th.
After suffering considerable damage to the Teams Supersport 600 Honda at the Bush Road Races two weeks ago, the cost of repairing the bike has made the trip to the Isle of Man a non  starter.    However, Pearson will still travel to the Cock O The North Races in Scarborough on the weekend of the 10-11th July before returning home to the Kells Road Races the following week.
 
Michael Pearson:  "Unfortunately, its just not viable for us to take in the Southern 100 in the Isle of Man.   Its bitterly disappointing, but you have got to put your priorities in order and not put yourself in debt by trying to take in meetings that your budget does not permit.    We have had to burn the midnight oil in getting the 600 back into race trim before this weekend Skerries road races, and in doing that it has taken up a huge chunk of our planned budget.    The boys have worked hard this past two weeks and we will have the 600 back on the road at Skerries, fingers crossed.    I am looking forward to the Skerries meeting where I will be riding in three races, the Senior, the Supersport 600, and the Grand Final.    I will be going to Scarborough, that was never an issue, but it was my wish to compete in the Southern 100, but not this time".
 
Willis Marshall:  (Team Manager)  "Considering the circumstances, I think that Michael has made the right decision.  If he had wanted to go, we were behind him, if not, we were still behind him.   He is the rider and he will decided what is right or wrong.   The lads have been flat out getting the 600 GSMCC Honda back to something like it was before the Bush, and it looks like she will be on the grid at Skerries.    Skerries is another first for Michael, so hopefully he can get a dry race and enjoy what is arguably one of the best National Road Races of the season.   After that, its off to Scarborough, a circuit that Michael has really adapted well to, and who knows, maybe he can go one better this year in the Cock O The North Race".
 
Picture:  2008 Cock O The North winner Ian Lougher, with runner up Michael Pearson (right) and third place rider Daniel Frear.