TWO FULL DAYS OF RACING AT DARLEY MOOR

Tuesday June 24, 2014 at 11:05am

The Darley Moor Motorcycle Road Race Club’s Championship reaches its midway point with a double header this weekend, 28th – 29th June, Round 3 on Saturday and Round 4 on Sunday.

With the exception of the Stars at Darley meetings the last Round saw not only a one of the largest number of competitors for several years, but also one of the biggest crowds, so spectators are urged to get in early to ‘book’ their favourite vantage points. Or, why not make a full weekend of it, there is ample room for spectators to camp and caravan at Darley Moor, (near Wynaston, DE6 2ET) over the race weekends? The cost is just £5.00 per unit per night. You can normally arrive after 5.00 pm on the Friday and stay until 10.00 am on the morning after the meeting. To make things easy Darley Moor is one of the few circuits in which dogs are welcome, provided they are kept on a lead at all times during race day and the owners act in a responsible manner.

In addition to both days having the usual full race programme for two, three and four wheels, Saturday lunchtime gives spectators the opportunity to experience the thrill of being a passenger in a sidecar outfit. The Club are raising money for the ACU Benevolent Fund, if you’re wearing suitable protective clothing your donation will allow you to ‘sit’ alongside some of the regular Darley Moor sidecar drivers for several laps of the circuit.

On Sunday the second Formula 600 race will be the decider of the Curtis Milner Trophy, in memory of a young racer who started his racing career at Darley Moor, but unfortunately lost his life in a road traffic accident. Points scored will be added to those scored in the second race at Round 2, the winner will be presented with the Trophy and receives a cheque for £100. It is hoped that Curtis Milner’s parents, Craig and Tina, will once again be available to present the Trophy. After winning both Formula 600 races last time out Jamie Medhurst (Long Eaton) will be the man to beat this weekend.

Medhurst is also 3rd in the Peak Cup Championship, but the battle for race wins in this class, and the Open Solos, is certain to be another frantic one between Tim Poole (Northwich) and Jim Hodson (Wigan).

Jamie Pearson (Derby) will be the man to beat in the Pre Injection 600 Championship after winning all races so far. Racing alongside these machines, as usual, will be the Steel Framed 600’s and another Derby resident, Lloyd Harrison who after winning the class in the first race at Round 2 will be looking for more wins and closing the 5 point gap to the Championship leader.

Yet another Derby man, Shane Pearson will be the rider to beat in the Pre98 (up to 1300cc) class, currently with a 100% victory record this year, holding a 12 point lead over his nearest rival in the Championship.

In the Classic races local riders will definitely be amongst the silverware; Adrian Saunders (Nottingham) the man to beat in the Classic 50 after his double victory at Round 2. Whilst Gordon Thorpe (Matlock) and John Leese (Stoke on Trent) both have a perfect score in the Classic 500 and 350 classes respectively.

The Sound of Thunder class should also see local riders battling for the silverware; Gary Henriksen (Matlock) the current Championship leader and Stephen Poulson (Chapel en le Frith) lying 3rd, just 8 points behind.

The Sidecar class will see Formula 600 Championship leaders Roy Hanks/Julie Hanks-Elliott (Birmingham) resume their battle with Dean Banks (Stone) and his as yet unnamed passenger.

Fans of four wheeled motorsport saw local drivers take the top 3 places in both races last time; Mark Gellatly (Stafford) taking both victories from Lionel Sifleet (Walsall) and Tom Hatfield (Telford).

If the recent excellent weather continues you can be sure of some excellent racing and maybe a few records are destined to be broken. As usual the action on both days will begin at 1000hrs with practice sessions for all classes, whilst the first race is anticipated to start at 1130hrs, then non-stop race action through to 1800hrs.

The cost of adult admission to Darley Moor for all meetings, except the end of season Stars at Darley meeting, is £12.00 per day, children under 16 are free, and Senior Citizens are £8.00. Parking and Paddock Transfer is free and a programme costs just £3.00. Adult admission to the Test Days is £6.00.

For the Stars at Darley event on 12th October the adult admission price is £16.00 and Senior Citizens £12.00.

Championship positions (after Round 2)

Peak Cup

1st Tim Poole, 27pts; 1st Jim Hodson, 27pts; 3rd Jamie Medhurst, 15pts

Open Solo

1st Tim Poole, 24pts; 2nd Jim Hodson, 21pts; 3rd Scott Bingley, 15pts

Open Sidecars

1st John Potts/Neil Dutton, 22pts; 2nd Dave Holden/Ray Burns, 18pts; 3rd Anthony Eades/Iain Greensmith, 12pts

Lightweight

1st Paul Hedison, 24pts; 2nd Mark Tyrell, 16pts; 3rd Chris Moore 9pts

GP125

1st Mark Tyrell, 36pts; 2nd Justin Brown, 22pts; 3rd Stephen Campbell, 8pts