Penultimate Round Action at Darley

Tuesday August 30, 2016 at 11:46am

The penultimate round of the Darley Moor Motor Cycle Road Race Club Championship will be held on Sunday 4th September at the Darley Moor Motor Sport Centre, near Ashbourne, Derbyshire (DE6 2ET) and in addition to the regular silverware on offer there will be a special Trophy in memory of a racer who competed in the Formula 600 and Newcomers’ races. The Graham Bywater Trophy, will be presented to the highest placed Formula 600 rider in the Newcomers’ class, the final race of the day.

Despite the final Round offering double points there are still several Championship classes which could well be sealed this weekend;

Carl Morris (Etwall) has a 50 point advantage in the Open Solo class, taking just a small handful of points this weekend will guarantee him the Championship irrespective of any result MJ Morgan (Chesterfield) can record. Morris also heads the Peak Cup standings, but with just a 13 point lead over Steve Proctor (Wakefield) this will definitely be decided at Round 8.

David Carson (Northwich) is another rider with an excellent opportunity this weekend, enjoying a 48 point lead over Kevin Bond (Chesterfield) in the Formula Darley championship. The same pair are also in a similar position in the Mini Sound of Thunder class, although on this occasion Bond has a 40 point gap to bridge.

Onto three wheels and the Formula 600 Sidecar class has Howard Baker/ Mike Killingsworth (Sutton Coldfield/ Lincoln) enjoying a 47 point advantage over Brian Afflat/Aaron Gorman (Goole). The Open Sidecar championship could also be sealed at this penultimate round providing Ray Thomas/Neil Aslaksen (Birkenhead) record more points than Anthony Eades/Keith Box (Hyde/Wolverhampton) on Sunday their current 36 point advantage will ensure they are champions.

Both 125 classes are the only other championships which can definitely be decided this weekend; in the GP125 class Graeme Wilson (Kidsgrove) has a 40 point advantage over Emma Franklin (Peterborough) who needs to record 4 more points than Wilson to prevent him being crowned Champion. Whilst in the Formula 125 Championship just 2 extra points will ensure Adam Warner (Lincoln) still has the chance of preventing James Hind (Nettelton) becoming Champion this weekend and George Pidcock (Alfreton) is still in with a shout, just a further 3 points behind Warner.

The remaining classes look likely to be going down to the final round subject to any contenders having a non-scoring round. Closest of the rest is the Lightweight class which has Chris Moore (New Mills) heading the championship by just 8 points over Neil Lloyd (Wednesbury). The pair are also in contention for the Pre98’s (Up to 500cc) honours with Moore enjoying a 31 point lead over his rival.

The Formula 600 championship sees Lloyd Shelley (Burntwood) at the head of the Championship with a slender 9 point advantage over Steve Proctor (Wakefield). On the same machine Shelley is also heading the Sound of Thunder Championship, by 14 points over Jamie Horner (Newark).

The Classic 500 championship is very much a three way battle, with Gary Widdowson (Nottingham) having a 10 point advantage over both Gordon Thorpe (Matlock) and Oliver Presswood (Bath).

Andrew Lowe (Stone) heads both the Pre98’s (Up to 1300cc) and the Pre Injection 600 Championships by similar margins; the first by just 11 points from Mark Brailsford (Chesterfield) with Jamie Pearson (Derby) a further 2 points adrift. In the Pre Injection class it is Pearson again with a 13 point gap to bridge, but 2nd in the standings on this occasion.

Anthony Porter (Chesterfield) enjoys a 28 point advantage in the Steel Framed 600 class over Dave Marsden (Birkenhead) with Dean Ephgrave (Nottingham) a further 8 points behind, 3rd in the standings.

As always the on track action begins with Practice begins at 10am, whilst the first race is scheduled for 11.30 am. 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/.

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 can be another excuse to get away from the house and enjoy the summer. 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.

2016 Championship standings after Round 6

Peak Cup

1st Carl Morris, 81pts; 2nd Steve Proctor, 68pts; 3rd Jim Hodson, 24pts;

Open Solo

1st Carl Morris, 94pts; 2nd, MJ Morgan, 44pts; 3rd, Alan Hughes, 41pts

Open Sidecars

1st Ray Thomas/Neil Aslaksen, 75pts; 2nd Anthony Eades/Keith Box, 39pts; 3rd Keith Waddington/Julia Hardisty, 31pts

Lightweight

1st Chris Moore, 63pts; 2nd Neil Lloyd, 55pts; 3rd Tony Limer, 36pts

GP125

1st, Graeme Wilson 83pts; 2nd Emma Franklin, 43pts; 3rd, Gavin Mills, 42pts

Formula 600