Neil Lloyd is eager to get back out on the road

The simple yet poignant words of Neil Lloyd, the 46-year-old who has this year decided to have his first proper crack at road racing.

The Wednesbury racer qualified for his first ever stint around the Southern 100 course on the Isle of the Man by the skin of his teeth.

But after getting to grips with the 4.25-mile Billown circuit last week, he was soon passing fellow riders and enjoying mixing it on the roads with the best in the business.

Lloyd entered his Honda VF400 into the week's two Lightweight classes – a feat made all the more difficult as out of the 41 riders attempting to qualify for the meeting, only the top 29 would make it.

"We turned up to the Billown paddock and I met up with friend and ex-racer, Barry wood, who took me round the course to help me learn it," said Lloyd.

"It all started on the Monday evening with a newcomer's lap and I also had two timed qualifying sessions.

"There were 41 entrants but only 29 qualifiers – I qualified 28th."

Race one was held late last Tuesday night, at 8.45pm, in glorious sunshine and Lloyd managed to make his way up seven places to finish 21st.

"The road course at race speed is very exciting but you know there's no room for error," he said.

"Race two was held at 2pm on the Thursday and, after again starting from 28th, I finished 20th.

"The Southern 100 Club is run in a very friendly and professional way and I'd recommend it to anyone interested in road racing."

Lloyd said there were a huge number of people to thank for ensuring his first taste of serious road racing action ran smoothly, and added he hoped to be back competing on the island next year.

"We're planning to return but we need more power from the bike to make it competitive," he said.

"I'd like to thank my wife, Sam, for helping to make all this possible, and for the team work with the bike and everything else involved with racing.

"Martin Lloyd of Lloyd's Transport for tyres also needs a thank you, as does Paul Wright of Brotherton Cycles for base layers and energy products, Mark and Elaine Bissell for the use of their van for race meetings, and anyone else who has helped out in any way."

Lloyd's season is far from over as he sits fourth in the 400 Supersport championship at Tonfanau, in Wales, and eighth in the Darley Moor championships, having missed three rounds due to his road racing commitments this year.

Last year, he finished both the Pre 98’s Up to 500cc and Lightweight series at Darley in second place.

But his main focus will be a return to Oliver's Mount, Scarborough, in September, as well as the possibility of competing at the home of road racing in Northern Ireland.

"We are still looking for sponsors to help with the racing costs and our next road race will be the Gold Cup at Oliver's mount," he said.

"We'll also be racing at Tonfanau and Darley Moor in between, and looking at the possibility of some Irish road racing."

To sponsor Lloyd during his 2017 or 2018 campaign, email stlloyd@hotmail.co.uk