THE SOUTHERN 100 made its long awaited return this week after a two-year hiatus, and Bradford racer Dean Harrison was right at the heart of things.

On Wednesday (race two), it was Harrison who claimed the spoils by 0.094s on the line for a milestone 25th victory at the event.

The DAO Racing Kawasaki rider battled all the way with Tuesday’s winner Davey Todd in a record-breaking race, with both riders making history by breaking the 116mph barrier for the first time.

With the sun shining, after seven exhilarating laps around the 4.25-mile Billown course on the Isle of Man, Harrison took the victory to create another moment of history.

Michael Dunlop was 14.6s behind in third on his Buildbase Suzuki, while Onchan’s Nathan Harrison (Steam Packet Honda) held off Supertwin race winner Jamie Coward (KTS/Steadplan Yamaha) for fourth, 10.684s behind Dunlop.

Harrison's victory came after he'd made amends for the disappointment of his retirement from the opening Senior race at the Southern 100 on Tuesday.

The Southern 100 return marked the first time the DAO Racing team had competed under the DAO Racing banner, with Harrison back on Kawasaki machinery as he battled to reclaim his crown.

As the third most successful solo rider in the event’s history, Harrison arrived as reigning Solo champion, with 24 race wins and three consecutive titles – 2017, 18 and 19 – to his name.

Prior to the event, Harrison spoke to the T&A and said: “I like the Southern, it’s a great little event and of course, it’s another road race which is what I really enjoy,” he said. “Like everything else, it’s been away for a couple of years and I’ve quite missed it if I’m honest.

“I have won the last three times here so obviously that does give you a bit extra confidence coming in but you can’t get complacent about it, you don’t know who else is going to come back fast and we won’t get a better idea until we get out for the first time.

“I’m really looking forward to getting back out there and having a roar around and see what happens.”

With those words in mind, Harrison can be pleased with his weekend's work and he now has a Superbike return to look forward to, with a return to Brands Hatch on the cards for next weekend (July 22).

Speaking to the T&A ahead of the event, Harrison said: "Brands Hatch follows the Southern 100 and the superbikes return. It's always challenging to change from a road bike to the superbikes because it's a different style. I'd like to get a top ten finish when I return there. I've felt myself getting closer to that in previous weeks."