Southern 100 debutant Peter Hickman says Billown target is to 'enjoy myself' but admits 'I'm a racer and I want to win races'
Peter Hickman says his main priority is to “enjoy myself” as the 14-time Isle of Man TT winner competes at the Southern 100 for the first time this week.
Hickman is a high profile newcomer to the Manx race, where opening practice and qualifying is scheduled to take place on Monday evening around the 4.25-mile Billown course.
Hickman will compete in the Superbike class on the 8TEN Racing BMW and is also contesting the Supersport class on his Swan Racing by PHR Performance Triumph 765.
The 39-year-old and 8TEN Racing co-owner Davey Todd made the decision to withdraw from the remainder of this year’s British Superbike Championship and are looking at alternative races in 2026, with Hickman also poised to make his debut at Oliver’s Mount from July 18-19 when he competes in the Cock ’O the North meeting.
Todd is still recovering from injuries he sustained in a crash at the Daytona 200 in March, which caused him to miss the North West 200, TT and Southern 100, but the north Yorkshireman intends to make his comeback soon.
Ahead of his competitive debut at Billown, Hickman said: “The Southern has been a big topic for a number of years, I came last year to support Davey and obviously I was injured myself, so I came to support my team-mate and he had a fantastic Southern 100 last year, winning lots of races.
“The sun was shining, I did a few laps myself and went out and watched, which I never get a chance to watch; I did that here last year at the Southern, really enjoyed myself, had a few ice creams in the sunshine and had a really good time here.
“I felt that should I ever get the opportunity to come here then I should take that chance, and here were are.
“I’m here myself to enjoy myself more than anything, obviously I’m a racer and I want to win races, but I just have to be very realistic,” he added.
“I’m racing against people who have won lots of races here and have been there a long time, and know the course inside out.
“I don’t have a clue where I’m going yet. Having said that, I generally learn places pretty quick and we’re just going to have to wait and see.
“There’s no real aim apart from enjoying myself.”
Hickman identified Honda Racing’s Dean Harrison as his chief rival in the Superbike class after the Bradford rider won the Superbike and Senior races at the TT last month.
“The biggest competitor has got to be Dean at the minute; he’s riding the crest of a wave and it’s great to see. He’s been riding great in that team now for the last two or three years,” Hickman said.
“The entry list is really good this year which is great to see and fingers crossed we get lots and lots of spectators who come out; it was really busy here last year and fingers crossed everyone goes out and supports the Southern.”
Michael Dunlop is among the leading names in a quality line-up that features Mike Browne, Paul Jordan, Nathan Harrison, Michael Sweeney, Dominic Herbertson Rob Hodson, Conor Cummins, Michael Evans and Marcus Simpson.