Southern 100 Racing are saddened to learn of the passing of Phil Corkill, who was involved with the Southern 100 Road Races for a total of 31 years between 1974 and 2005.
Phil joined the band of timekeepers at Billown in 1974 and continued checking his stopwatches until 1990, when he took over from Kepple Shimmin as Chief Timekeeper between 1990 and 1996, when he took early retirement with John Stott taking over the role in charge.
However, ‘early retirement’ didn’t last long as he was back on time keeping duties again in 1997 and was involved every year up to and including 2005, when he stopped the watch for the final time.
Phil was one of the officials who saw the introduction of firstly the Pre-TT Classic Races in 1988 and then the Post TT Road Races in 1991 and along with the Southern 100 helped nurture them into the popular races we enjoy today.
After his final retirement, Phil was still a regular visitor to the Race Control and enjoyed the banter with his colleagues from the ‘friendly races’.
All involved with Southern 100 Racing express their sincere condolences to his family and friends at the sad time.