Ian Lougher completed a Billown double in 2009

Organisers have announced there will be no lightweight and ultra-lightweight races at the 2010 Isle of Man TT.

Minster of Tourism and Leisure Martyn Quayle said: "It's a tough financial climate and we are concentrating our resources on the core race programme."

The news is a blow to the Southern 100 Club, who say that the races have grown in popularity since their introduction in 2007.

S100 spokesman Phil Edge said: "We're bitterly disappointed with this news."

He added: "The Billown TT races have grown in terms of entries and popularity over the past couple of years and we are very proud of our involvement in that."

It would be a real shame to lose the Billown TT races. They are a fantastic part of the TT fortnight Ian Lougher

The announcement was made at the Bike Show in Birmingham on Thursday.

Club press liaison officer Edge continued: "At a cost of £18,000, it's a minuscule part of the overall TT budget."

In 2009, Welshman Ian Lougher won a TT double at Billown.

He told BBC Isle of Man: "It would be a real shame to lose the Billown TT races.

"They are a fantastic part of the TT fortnight and provide some excellent road racing."

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