The Darley Moor Motor Cycle Road Race Club have been busy getting the circuit, near Ashbourne, DE6 2ET, ready for Round 1 of the 2018 season this coming weekend. Starting with a Practice Day on Saturday 7th April, followed by the first Round of this year’s seven round Championship on Sunday 8th April.
Saturday’s Test Day will give some of the competitors their first opportunity to test new machines, or machines that have been stripped and rebuilt over the winter. Certainly, an opportunity to complete their last race set-up and preparations after the hard work over the winter.
Matching the effort of competitors preparing their racing machines over the winter break Club members, both officials, marshals and some competitors, have given up their spare time to replace tyre walls, fencing and banners around the circuit. With one of the largest entries for an opening Round everybody has been working exceptionally hard over this last weekend to ensure there will be room for all the competitors race transporters, vans and caravans in the Paddock. Although with the amount of standing water and snow around the site over Easter weekend, there will be no suitable ground for tents and any additional cars will be directed towards the many areas of hard standing.
No less than 12 champions from 2017, with 14 titles amongst them will begin their defences at Round 1, so any newcomer, or potential title challenger will know immediately how quick their pace will need to be if they are to be in with a share of the silverware.
One of the stars of 2017 was Lloyd Shelley who dominated the Formula 600 and Sound of Thunder classes throughout the year, winning all races that he entered. This year he plans on defending his titles, but also to challenge the 1,000cc machines in the Peak Cup races and is already aiming for a ride on a 1,000cc machine for the Stars at Darley meeting at the end of the season.
In addition to Shelley, there will be;
Anthony Eades/Keith Box: Open Sidecar Champions
Chris Moore: Lightweight Champion
David Carson: Formula Darley & Mini Sound of Thunder Champion
James Bull: Formula 125 Champion
Dan Knight/Matthew Rostron: Formula 600 Sidecars Champion
Andy Lowe: Pre-Injection 600 Champion
Andy Whale: CB500 Champion
Jamie Pearson: Pre-Injection (Up to 1300cc) Champion
Geoff Hadwin: Classic 250 Champion
Dave McCoy: Classic 500 Champion
David Bradley: Classic 1000 Champion
As always, the first Round of any championship can highlight potential surprises amongst the regular contenders for championship honours. Last year saw Ben Scranage (Bolton) turn-up, wearing a novice jacket, showing he was at the start of his racing career, and record an 8th place in the opening Peak Cup race. He then went on to have an excellent season, becoming a double champion in the Club’s Peak Cup and Open Solo classes! Can somebody do the same this year?
In addition to the regular championship classes there is also the first round of the Curtis Milner Trophy, in memory of a young Darley Moor racer who lost his life in a road accident. The Trophy will be decided over the combined results of the second Formula 600 race at Round 1 and Round 2.
Saturday’s Test Day is scheduled to run between 10am – 5pm, whilst Sunday’s action begins with Practice at 10am, with the first race scheduled for 11.30am. A slight change in the race programme with two non- championship ‘All-comers’ races held first before running into the first Peak Cup race.
For the 2018 season the Darley Moor Motorcycle Road Race Championship is a 7-round series. The full list of all motorcycle activity at the circuit is as follows;
Saturday 7th April Test Day Darley Moor MCRRC Sunday 8th April Round 1 Darley Moor MCRRC Including round 1 of the Curtis Milner Trophy
Monday 7th May Round 2 Darley Moor MCRRC Including round 2 of the Curtis Milner Trophy and Thunderfest 2018
Sunday 17th June Round 3 Darley Moor MCRRC Saturday 4th August Round 4 Darley Moor MCRRC Sunday 5th August Round 5 Darley Moor MCRRC Sunday 16th September Round 6 Darley Moor MCRRC Including the Graham Bywater Trophy
Saturday 6th October Test Day Darley Moor MCRRC Sunday 7th October Round 7 Darley Moor MCRRC Including Stars at Darley 2018 and Jake Hingley Trophy
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 2018 Season Pass for Darley Moor is also available for £80 including VAT (£50 incl VAT Senior Citizens) 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
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.
Photos by Tony Else Photography