For all the motorsport fans who have been starved of the smell of burnt fuel and rubber over the winter the Darley Moor Motorcycle Road Race Club will be kicking the 2015 season off in style this coming weekend, 21st – 22nd March at the circuit near near Wyaston, Derbyshire (DE6 2ET).
With a huge variety of machinery taking to the track there is sure to be something for everyone; two, three and four wheeled racing machinery, modern and classic, 2 stroke and 4 stroke engines; 600cc and 1,000cc sidecar outfits and regular guests the Long Circuit Kart Club.
Saturday 21st March will be a practice day (10am – 5pm) and most likely the first time for the majority of competitors that they will have been on-track since last year, allowing them to get up to speed and possibly ensure their machines are set-up for optimum performance. Then, of course there will also be the novice riders who are embarking on their very first season of racing, some may be road riders who wish to ride their machines much harder than is possible on the road or it may be a youngster, could be as young as 12 years old who dreams of becoming a future road racing star. Will they begin a flourishing career at Darley Moor this weekend and will you be there to witness it?
Sunday 22nd March will see the season kick-off in style with at least twelve, of the nineteen motorcycle classes, having the reigning champion begin the title defence of their respective class. In addition to this there are several international level racers using this meeting as an extra test day; multiple Stars of Darley winner, Richard Cooper returns from injury with his new machine, from the Swadlincote based Anvil Hire TAG Racing Team, in preparation for his British Superbike season. Whilst Mansfield’s quickest brothers, Ben and Tom Birchall bring their new 600cc sidecar outfit they will be racing at the TT for a shakedown.
Obviously, in fairness to regular Darley Moor competitors these three will not be challenging for
championship points, but they will certainly add a reference point for those racers hoping to further their careers onto British Championship level.
Over the past few season’s the Peak Cup and Open Solo classes have provided some fantastic racing, with Tim Poole and Jim Hodson having excellent battles at the head of the field, until Hodson was ruled out through injury last year. Poole is defending both titles, Hodson is back and fully fit and now double Pre98 (up to 1300cc) Champion, Shane Pearson returns to the class and is sure to be mixing it with them!
In addition to Poole other champions that entries have already been received from include;
Lightweight - Chris Moore
Formula 600 - Jamie Medhurst
Formula 125 - James Hind
Steel Framed 600 - Dean Ephgrave
Classic 250 - Geoff Hadwin
Classic 500 - Gordon Thorpe
Classic 1000 - James O’Brien
Formula Darley and Mini Sound of Thunder - Brad Vicars
For the 2015 season the Darley Moor Motorcycle Road Race Championship reverts back to an 8 round series, including a ‘double header’, with Rounds 4 and 5 being held over the weekend, 27th – 28th June.
The full list of all motorcycle activity at the circuit is as follows;
21st March Test Day Darley Moor MCRRC
22nd March Round 1 Darley Moor MCRRC
12th April Round 2 Darley Moor MCRRC(Including Round 1 of the Curtis Milner Trophy)
4th May Round 3 Darley Moor MCRRC(Including Round 2 of the Curtis Milner Trophy)
27th June Round 4 Darley Moor MCRRC
28th June Round 5 Darley Moor MCRRC
26th July Round 6 Darley Moor MCRRC
(15th August Motorcycle Races Vintage MCC)
(16th August Motorcycle Races Vintage MCC)
20th September Round 7 Darley Moor MCRRC(Including the Graham Bywater Trophy)
10th October Test Day Darley Moor MCRRC
11th October Stars & Round 8 Darley Moor MCRRC
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, Senior Citizens 65 and over £4.00.
For the Stars at Darley event on 11th October the adult admission price is £16.00 and Senior Citizens £10.00.
Advance Tickets at discount prices are also available on-line just visit the Darley Race Shop for full details -
http://www.darleymoorstore.co.uk/
A 2015 Season Pass for Darley Moor is also available and admits to ALL motor cycle events at the circuit including test days. After this weekend’s meeting a Season Pass can still be purchased at the reduced cost of £73.00 (Senior Citizens £43.00) and can be purchased online or by sending a cheque made payable to Darley Moor MCRRC Ltd, together with the full name of the season pass holders to: Season Passes, Darley Moor MCRRC Ltd, Anvil House, Derby Road, Old Tupton, Chesterfield, S42 6LA
There is ample room for spectators to camp and caravan at Darley Moor over the race weekends. The cost is £5.00 per unit per night. Camping will normally be available from 4.00 pm on the Friday evening until 10.00 am on the day after the meeting or by special arrangement with the circuit management – Call 01335 343833.
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.