MAY DAY ACTION AT DARLEY MOOR

Tuesday April 26, 2016 at 1:59pm

Forget the regular boring Bank Holiday chores this Monday, 2nd May, rather than queue up at the local council refuse site just to get rid of all the gardening rubbish get over to the Darley Moor Motor Sports Centre, near Ashbourne DE6 2ET, for Round 2 of the Darley Moor Motorcycle Road Race Championship and witness some excellent racing on a huge variety of machinery on two, three and four wheels.

The twenty-one race programme features classes for modern production based motorcycles from 125cc through to 1000cc, 400cc – 1300cc production based machines from the 1990’s, classic racing machinery from the 1960’s through to the more modern 125cc and 250cc Grand Prix style motorcycles, and 600cc and 1000cc sidecars, plus regular guests Superkart-UK Clubmans Championships for 125cc & 250cc Karts, basically something for everybody.

In addition to this being the second round of the regular Championship classes Monday will also see the culmination of the Curtis Milner Trophy, in memory of a young Darley Moor racer who lost his life in a road accident. After winning the second Formula 600 race at Round 1 Jamie Hodson currently has the advantage, but there is sure to be some fierce competition from his brother Rob, Lloyd Shelley and Steven Proctor. Using the same machine in the Sound of Thunder class Shelley recorded a double victory at Round 1 and consequently heads the table in the class.

Another Hodson, Jim - father of Jamie and Rob, will almost certainly be at the sharp end of the Peak Cup and Open Solo races, most likely battling for honours with Carl Morris. The pair currently leads one class each and is second in the other.

Chris Moore will be hoping to maintain his 100% record to date, heading both the Lightweight and the Pre98’s (up to 500cc) Championships following victory in all four races at Round 1. Andrew Lowe (Stone) leads the Pre98’s (up to 1300cc) Class after two class victories, whilst he is 2nd in the Pre Injection 600 class, behind Robert Wise. The Wise and Lowe duo will no doubt be mixing it with Anthony Porter, double class winner, on his Steel Framed 600 machine.

David Carson is another rider heading two championships, the Mini Sound of Thunder class following two victories over Stuart Hall, but they are level on points at the head of the Formula Darley class after sharing the honours last time around.

The combined Classic and Formula 125 races last time out saw each class winner record a double victory, although Joey Thompson impressed many by taking his Formula 125 machine to two overall Runner-up places, behind David Bradley , on his Classic 1000 machine.

The sidecar races are certain to provide some entertainment for the spectators once more as the smaller Formula 600 machines battle it out alongside the 1000cc Open Sidecars. Last time out Rupert Archer/Steve Thomas recorded an overall victory and a class win on their 1000cc outfit, whilst Gary Knight/Dan Evanson replicated the feat on their Formula 600 outfit.

With Darley Moor being 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, it is easy to make the weekend one to get away from the house. 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.

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 9th 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 2016 Season Pass for Darley Moor is also available and admits to ALL motor cycle events at the circuit including test days 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

2016 Championship standings after Round 1

Peak Cup

1st Jim Hodson, 15pts; 2nd Carl Morris, 15pts; 3rd Steve Proctor, 7pts

Open Solo

1st Carl Morris, 15pts; 2nd, Jim Hodson, 9pts; 3rd, Alan Hughes, 7pts

Open Sidecars

1st Rupert Archer/Steve Thomas, 18pts; 2nd Ray Thomas/Neil Aslaksen, 12pts; 3rd Roy Tansley/Chris Judge, 7pts

Lightweight

1st Chris Moore, 18pts; 2nd David Smith, 8pts; 3rd Nick Gilman, 7pts

GP125

1st Emma Franklin, 12pts; 2nd Ewan Potter, 12pts; 3rd Brendan Brown, 9pts