The Darley Moor Motor Cycle Road Race Club held Round 2 of their championship on Sunday 15th May, 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 wide 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 a 7th place in the second race at Round 1 Ben Dale (Warrington) was in determined mood this weekend, opening this weekend’s tally with a 3rd place in the Non- Championship Allcomers2 race, behind winner Adrian Kershaw (Stockport) and Matthew Bell (Sheffield). He then went on and recorded two start-finish victories in the Formula 600 class, taking both races by around 8sec, securing the Curtis Milner Trophy. Behind Dale, David Carson (Northwich) was able to keep ahead of James Ford (High Peak) to take 2nd place with a 2sec advantage over Ford at the chequered flag. Race 2 saw Carson again trailing Dale in 2nd place, but after finishing the opening lap in 4th place Albert Walker (Retford) was chasing him down, by lap4 he was on his tail and able to pass him on Lap5, the battle between the pair then lasted for the remaining 5laps, where Carson finished 0.3sec behind him, for 3rd place. The Club were delighted that, once again Curtis’ father, Craig, was on hand to present the trophy in person, with former multiple British Superbike Champion, John Reynolds (Nottingham), paying a visit to the Darley Moor Motor Sport Centre, joining him on the podium.
Prior to the Formula 600 outings Walker and Carson were battling it out in the opening race of the day, the non-championship Allcomers1 (up to 650cc), in which Walker led for the opening laps before failing to finish Lap3 and handing the race lead to Carson who then went on to take the win by over 20sec. Adding to his tally Carson was also out in both combined 700cc Twin/Lightweight races, taking a start – finish victory in the first, winning by over 13sec. Then after a battle with Josh Froggatt (Worksop) in the opening laps, of the second race, he then went onto to claim his 3rd victory of the day by over 7sec. The first Lightweight machine over the line recorded overall 3rd place in both races, but the honour was shared between Andy Whale (Birmingham) and Peter Fell (Burton upon Trent).
Kershaw also lined up on the grid in the combined Open Solo and Pre-Injection Open races, with Mark Goodings (Doncaster) and the pair certainly ensured the crowd were entertained, sharing a win and 2nd place apiece. Two race long battles saw Kershaw take the first win, by less than 0.5sec, the second went to Goodings by the same margin. Adam Walters (Derby) was the first Pre-Injection machine home each time, securing 5th in the first and 4th in the second race.
Another race to ensure the spectators enjoyed the day was the opening pre-Electronic 600 race, the closest finish of the day. Joe Yeardsley (Isle of Man) led for the opening 5laps, with Stuart Bradbury (Belper) finishing Lap1 behind Kaine Sheriff, leading his father Adam (Barnsley). By lap3 Bradbury was up into 2nd place, 1.2sec behind Yeardsley, then Lap6 saw Bradbury hit the front, but Yeardsley didn’t let him pull away, the pair finishing just 0.03sec apart at the flag. The second race saw Kaine lead the field for the opening 3 laps, but then failed to finish Lap4 handing Bradbury the lead and with Kaine, the elder, out after Lap1 and Yearsley not making the grid, he then went on to extend his winning margin to 25sec at the flag.
Yeardsley was also out in the opening combined Honda CB500, Classic and Forgotten Era race and secured a comfortable start – finish victory, leading Martin Davis (Manchester) over the line by 25sec. Mark Brailsford (Chesterfield) won the CB500 class, crossing the line 3rd Overall, with the CB500 of Alistair Corr (Alfreton) trailing him home by a further 4sec. With Yeardsley again not making the second race Davis managed a start – finish victory, leading Brailsford by almost 20sec at the flag, but he had to fight for the 2nd place spot after getting caught up with backmarkers on Lap7. Enjoying a 2sec advantage over Corr prior to catching them, but once pass on Lap7 Corr was just 0.2sec behind, but Brailsford was able to hold that until the chequered flag.
Fans of three-wheeled motorsport had a huge incentive to visit the circuit with Isle of Man resident and TT Winner Dave Molyneaux and passenger Daryl Gibson (Beverley) lined up on the grid for both Sidecar races, using the meeting to test his new KTM engine outfit, and what an incredible sounding machine it was! With ‘Moly’ and Gibson taking the two wins, although no Championship points, the pairing of Steve Thomas/Danny Lewis (Rockferry/ Saughall Massie) took 2nd place and the victory in the Open Class, while Howard Baker/ Mike Killingsworth were 3rd across the line on both occasions, in their Formula 600 machine, a further 10sec back in the first, but just 0.5sec behind Thomas/Lewis in the second race.
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 wide variety of machinery on track at the same time this requires a high degree of riding skill and concentration. Amazingly Colin Else (Buxton) on his BSA A75R was able to lap the circuit within 0.35mph of his set time. His nearest competitor, Richard Bewick (Biddulph) on his Ducati 500 was 0.71mph from his set time.
With the number of motorsport events on this weekend it was an excellent sized crowd that made it to the Darley Moor Motor Sport Centre and whilst Round 3 is on Sunday 12th June, right at the end of TT fortnight there isn’t the same number of events so the grids should be full and excellent racing once again.
The cost of adult admission to Darley Moor for all meetings, except the end of season Stars at Darley meeting, is £16.00 per day, children under 16 are free, and Senior Citizens are £12.00.
Advance Tickets at discount prices (£13 and £10) are also available on-line just visit the Darley Race Shop for full details - http://www.darleymoorstore.co.uk/.
There is ample room for spectators to camp and caravan at Darley Moor over the race weekends. The cost is £7.00 per unit per night (£6 in advance). 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 always kept on a lead during race day and the owners act in a responsible manner.
Championship Tables (after Round 2)
Open Solos
1st Mark Goodings, 27pts; 2nd Josh Daley, 15pts; 3rd Adrian Kershaw, 12pts Open Sidecars
1st Steve Thomas / Danny Lewis , 27ts; 2nd Anthony Eades / Ash Gibson, 22pts; 3rd Keith Waddington / Mick Storey, 10pts
Lightweight
1st Peter Fell, 25pts; 2nd Andy Whale, 15pts; 3rd Mike Lees, 13pts Formula 600
1st Albert Walker, 22pts; 2nd Ben Dale, 19pts; 3rd David Carson, 18pts
Formula 600 Sidecar
1st Howard Baker/Mike Killingsworth, 27pts; 2nd Chris Schofield/Shane Colbrook, 15pts; 3rd Bill Roberts/Nick Roberts, 14pts
Pre-Electronic 600/750 Twin
1st Stuart Bradbury, 30pts; 2nd Wayne Kemp , 20pts; 3rd Nick Clare, 13pts 700 Twins
1st David Carson, 30pts; 2nd Chris Barton, 16pts; 3rd Jim Barnett, 12pts
Honda CB500 & Suzuki Bandit
1st Alistair Corr, 17pts; 2nd Richard Cooper, 15pts; 3rd Mark Brailsford, 15pts Pre-Injection 1300
1st Adam Walters, 30pts; 2nd Adam Boulton, 24pts; 3rd Ian McKenzie, 20pts Classic 500
1st Oliver Presswood,27pts; 2nd Rob Hodson, 15pts;
Forgotten Era 1300
1st Martin Davis, 25pts; 2nd Mark Brailsford, 15pts; 3rd David Bradley, 12pts Forgotten Era 500
1st Mike Lees, 30pts; 2nd Paul Hawksworth, 12pts; 3rd Nigel Race, 10pts Forgotten Era 250
1st Glenn Atkinson, 30pts
Report By Brian George Photography/PR