One of Manx Radio’s TT Commentator’s was rendered speechless during the 2017 Southern 100 Media Launch, held at the Morton Hall, Castletown.
Chris Palmer, a resident of Castletown was honoured by Castletown Commissioners for his road racing achievements and presented with an artwork of himself in action by Chairman of the Commissioners, Richard McAleer, who is also a Committee Member and Director of Southern 100 Racing.
Chris Palmer’s racing achievements include a total of 35 race victories around the Billown Course; made up of 13 - Pre-TT Classic wins; 10 - Post TT wins and 12 Southern 100 victories.
On the world-famous Mountain Course Chris won two Ultra-Lightweight TT’s back to back in 2003 and 2004. Two Classic TT’s and three Manx Grand Prix Classic Races.
He also won 99 races at the notorious Oliver’s Mount Road Races and was British 125cc Champion in 1998 and in total competed in 52 TT, Classic TT and Manx Grand Prix Races.
Hanging up his leathers at the end of the 2013 road racing season, Chris took up the position of Rider’s Liaison Officer for Southern 100 Racing.
New for 2017 is his role as Advisor to Radcliffe’s Racing, the Castletown based Road Racing Team, who have just signed up and coming Yorkshire road racer Jamie Coward.
Chris Palmer was genuinely shocked, but highly delighted to receive the fine artwork from Richard McAleer on behalf of the Castletown Commissioners, thanking them and everybody else involved in road racing who over the years had made it possible for him to race and he was now trying to give something back to the sport that had brought him so much pleasure over many years.