Baker Takes Curtis Milner Trophy at Darley Moor

Thursday May 9, 2019 at 11:09am

The Darley Moor Motor Cycle Road Race Club held Round 2 of their championship on Bank Holiday Monday, 6th May 2019, near Ashbourne (DE6 2ET). In addition to the regular classes the first trophy was awarded, the Curtis Milner Trophy, in memory of a young Darley Moor racer who lost his life in a road accident and the Thunderfest Time Trial offered spectators a huge variety of machinery when out on track.

The winner of the Curtis Milner Trophy is decided over the second Formula 600 race from Rounds 1 and 2. After recording two 4th places at Round 1 Rich Baker (Crewe) was in determined mood this weekend and recorded two start-finish victories, taking the first race by over 7sec and the second race by almost 5sec, securing the Trophy in the process. Behind Baker, Louis O’Regan (Didcott) and David Carson (Northwich) were involved in two race-long battles of which O’Regan came out on top each time. The Club were delighted that, once again Curtis’ parents, Tina and Craig, were on hand to present the trophy in person.

The Thunderfest event was open to any motorcycle, road or race, built before 1978, from 50cc through to 990cc. After practice, the riders set their own target speed and attempt to lap the circuit for 20 minutes plus 2 laps, as close to this time as possible, the rider nearest to their target wins. With the huge variety of machinery on track at the same time this requires a high degree of riding skill and concentration. Unfortunately, due to an incident involving one competitor the event was brought to a premature end after their motorcycle was seriously damaged, thankfully the rider was uninjured. The result was taken after the 12minutes and Tony Head (Doncaster) declared the winner after lapping just 0.05sec from his predicted time, Peter Moss (Gainsborough) 2nd, just 0.14sec outside his own prediction.

High Peak racers took a 1-2 in the opening All-comers (up to 600cc) non championship race, Chris Moore recording almost a 17sec victory over James Ford. The pair then repeated the feat in both combined CB500/Lightweight races with Moore’s winning margin, after leading throughout, of 10sec in the first, but just 2sec in the second. Mark Brailsford (Chesterfield) was the first CB500 rider across the line on both occasions, recording 6th place overall each time.

Changing to an older 350cc machine Moore was also out in the Classic and Forgotten Era races. In the first race, after a slower start he ended the first lap in 6th place, was up to 3rd on the second lap and finally into 3rd on Lap3, but unable to match the times of Gary Porter (Wigan) on his Classic 1000, who recorded a start-finish victory. Colin Sleigh (West Bridgeford) was the first Classic 250 machine home in 5th place overall. With Porter not making the grid for the second race there was a race long battle at the head of the field between Moore’s Classic 500 and the Classic 1300 machine of Geoff Martin (Telford). Martin led for the opening two laps, having 1.5sec advantage at the end of Lap1, this was reduced to 0.4sec by the end of Lap2, then Moore hit the front on Lap3 and led across the line on each lap thereafter, but finishing with just a 0.3sec advantage at the flag. Chasing the pair throughout the race was Daniel Pritchard (Leek) on his Classic 250, finishing 3sec adrift of the victor.

After recording a start-finish victory in the second All-comers race, for machines over 600cc, Richard Charlton (Durham) added similar victories in the combined Open Solo, Pre-Injection and Sound of Thunder races. In the first race Richard Eglin (Derby) was holding 2nd place until Ashley Stone (Matlock) passed him on the final lap and pipped him to the flag by just 0.15sec, but he was still 4sec adrift of Charlton. In the second Eglin held onto the Runner-up spot throughout the race, but the gap to Charlton was over 15sec, whilst Jim Hodson (Wigan) finished a further 3sec back in 3rd place. However, the opening Peak Cup race saw Hodson claim a convincing start-finish victory, leaving Stone, Morris and Charlton to entertain the spectators and battle throughout the race. After being fourth on the opening lap Charlton was 2nd by Lap 3 and was able to hold the place across the line each time. Morris dropped to 4th but was then able to pass Stone on the final lap for 3rd place. The second Peak Cup race recorded the closest finish of the day, after Charlton had led from the opening lap only to have Stone sneak through on the 10th and final lap, taking victory by just 0.06sec! Hodson followed the pair home 8sec adrift, with Eglin a further 10sec back.

The two Junior races saw start-finish victories for two competitors; firstly McAuley Longmore (Willenhall) took the opening race victory with Ash Barnes (Lincoln) passing George Hopper (Swadlincote) on the final lap for the Runner-up spot. The tables were turned in the second race with Hopper taking the start-finish win, Barnes an unchallenged 2nd and Longmore 3rd. However, after adding to her Round 1 points with 2x 4th places Katie Hands (Caborne) heads the Championship table.

The combined Pre-Injection 600 & Mini Sound of Thunder races saw Tim Walsh (Buxton) take a start-finish victory in the opening race, with Stuart Bradbury (Kilburn) in a race-long 2nd place and Josh Potts (Stockport) sealing 3rd place on the penultimate lap. With Walsh not making the grid for the second race Bradbury recorded a start-finish victory over Potts with Martin Clare (Ashton in Markerfield) in 3rd. David Carson (Northwich) was the first Mini Sound of Thunder machine home on both occasions, recording an overall a 5th and 4th place.

The two sidecar races were won by Formula 600 outfits, first Roy Tansley/Chris Judge (Derby) taking a start-finish win in the first race from Gary Knight/Dan Evanson (Macclesfield/Crewe) and then the tables were turned in the second race. Anthony Eades/Mark Griffiths (Hyde/Port Talbot) were the first Open class outfit home on both occasions, recording 2x 4th places.

With the Isle of Man TT taking place end of May, early June and many competitors and spectators making the annual trip Round 3 of the Darley Moor Motor Cycle Road Race Championship will take place on Sunday 16th June 2019, surely the temperatures will not get close to last year’s?

The cost of adult admission to Darley Moor for all meetings, except the end of season Stars at Darley meeting, is £13.00 per day, accompanied children under 16 are free, and Senior Citizens are £9.00. Parking and Paddock Transfer is free and a programme costs just £3.00. Adult admission to the Test Days on 6th April 13th July and 12th October is £6.00, Senior Citizens 65 and over £4.00.

For the Stars at Darley event on 13th 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 £6.00 per unit per night. Camping will normally be available from 2.00 pm on the Friday evening until 12.00 noon 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 always kept on a lead during race day and the owners act in a responsible manner.

2019 Championships (After Round 2)

Junior Championship

1st Katie Hand, 20pts; 2nd James Bull, 16pts; 3rd Scarlett Robinson, 16pts

Senior Championship

1st Simon Hart, 16pts; 2nd Freddie Simcox, 12pts

Classic & Forgotten Era up to 250cc

1st Graham Oakley, 28pts; 2nd Glenn Atkinson, 22pts; 3rd Daniel Pritchard, 15pts

Classic & Forgotten Era 251cc to 500cc

1st Mike Lees, 22pts; 2nd Richard Stott, 16pts; 3rd Dave McCoy, 16pts;

Classic & Forgotten Era 501cc – 1300cc

1st David Bradley, 28pts; 2nd Geoff Martin, 15pts; 3rd Jamie O’Brien, 10pts

Lightweight Championship