The Darley Moor Motorcycle Road Race Club prepare for their traditional finale to a superb season of racing this weekend, 8th and 9th October, when some of the country’s top motorcycle racers descend on the circuit, near Wyaston, Ashbourne (DE6 2ET) for the Stars at Darley meeting.
Multiple winner and current Stars at Darley Champion Peter Hickman (Louth) heads the visitors list, along with former champions John McGuinness (Morcambe) and Michael Rutter (Bridgenorth), plus British Championship competitors Daniel Cooper (Stroud), Stuart Easton (Hawick), Tom Fisher (Nottingham), Daley Mathison (Stockton on Tees), Steve Mercer (Maidstone), Australian Jason O’Halloran (Louth) and former Darley regular, Ricky Tarren (Tamworth) and add in a large number of 2016 Darley Moor competitors hoping to prove they also have the speed to be contenders for the Club’s biggest prize of the year and you have two action packed 10 lap races well worth Sunday’s entrance fee alone.
In addition to the Stars races the regular Club Championship races will be different, instead of having two shorter races they will have just one long race of 15 laps, with double points at stake. Of the 19 Championship classes 9 are still to have champions confirmed, with 36 points available for a win, this can have a dramatic effect on the championship tables. Local riders are in with a very good chance of lifting the title in all these classes.
Glenn Atkinson (Northampton) has a 21 point advantage over Mark Cockerton (Dudley) and an extra 11 points over Geoff Hadwin (Cumbria) in the Classic 250 title race.
Andrew Lowe (Stone) is leading two championships, having a 25 point lead on Jamie Pearson (Derby), with Chris North (York) a further 6 points back in the Pre Injection 600 class. However, the battle in the Pre98’s (Up to 1300cc) class is much closer; Mark Brailsford (Chesterfield) trails by just 9 points with Pearson again a further 10 points adrift.
Chris Moore (New Mills) has already secured the Pre98’s (Up to 500cc) Championship, but this weekend will try and add the Lightweight title to his 2016 achievements. Neil Lloyd (Wednesbury) is his only title challenger, but he needs to bridge a 19 point deficit first.
Carl Morris (Etwall) and Steve Proctor (Wakefield) will ensure the Peak Cup race is one not to miss, both are on the same points at the head of the table and with nobody else challenging for the title whoever comes across the line first will be crowned Champion. Morris is already the 2016 Open Solo Champion and will be trying to add the Peak Cup title to his achievements and Proctor will also have his eyes on the Formula 600 Championship in which he is currently 2nd.
Anthony Porter (Chesterfield) leads the Steel Framed 600 class by 26 points from Dave Marsden (Birkenhead) with nobody else challenging for the title.
Lloyd Shelley (Burntwood) is another competitor hoping to be crowned a double champion this weekend. He currently leads Steve Proctor by 9 points in the Formula 600 class, but also holds a 28 point advantage over Jamie Horner (Newark) in the Sound of Thunder class.
Gary Widdowson (Nottingham) heads the Classic 500 Championship by 12 points, but unlike the other titles remaining there are another 3 racers still in with a shout of this title; Oliver Presswood (Bath) is in 2nd place whilst Gordon Thorpe (Matlock) and Andy Bacon (Hucknall) are tying on points in 3rd place, 18 points adrift of Widdowson.
This forthcoming weekend may also be the last time you have the opportunity to see several of the young riders that have caught the attentions of many spectators and Club members at Darley Moor this year, possibly before they move onto British Championship racing. If they do go onto much greater things you can be thankful you saw them at Darley Moor first; James Hind (Nettleton), aged 16 – 2016 Formula 125 Champion and also showing true potential on a 125 GP machine, currently 3rd in the 125 GP Championship standings; plus fellow Formula 125 competitors; George Pidcock (Alfreton), aged 15 on Saturday, currently 3rd; Jorge Halliday (Nottingham), aged 14, 5th and Lucy Dale (Ashbourne) aged 19, currently 8th. Anybody recall a certain Cal Crutchlow starting his career at Darley, or more recently the Lowes twins?
The weekend starts with a Test Day on Saturday 8th and with race day on the 9th October. As always the on track action begins with Practice at 10am, whilst the first race is scheduled for 11.30 am. The cost of adult admission to the Stars at Darley meeting is £16.00 on race day, children under 16 are free, and Senior Citizens are £10.00. Parking and Paddock Transfer is free and a programme costs just £3.00. Adult admission to the Test Day is £6.00, Senior Citizens 65 and over £4.00.
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 7 (Names underlined represent confirmed 2016 Champions) Peak Cup 1st Carl Morris, 81pts; 2nd Steve Proctor, 81pts; 3rd Simon Bowyer, 28pts;
Open Solo 1st Carl Morris, 98pts; 2nd, Alan Hughes, 47pts; 3rd, MJ Morgan, 44pts
Open Sidecars 1st Ray Thomas/Neil Aslaksen, 93pts; 2nd Anthony Eades/Keith Box, 51pts, 3rd Keith Waddington/Julia Hardisty, 39pts
Lightweight 1st Chris Moore, 81pts; 2nd Neil Lloyd, 62pts; 3rd Tony Limer, 36pts
GP125 1st Graeme Wilson, 101pts; 2nd Emma Franklin, 43pts; 3rd, James Hind, 42pts
Formula 600 1st Lloyd Shelley, 90pts; 2nd Steve Proctor, 81pts; 3rd Jamie Hodson, 33pts
Formula Darley 1st David Carson, 109pts; 2nd Kevin Bond, 55pts; 3rd Brad Vicars, 18pts
Formula 125 1st James Hind, 102pts; 2nd Adam Warner, 58pts; 3rd George Pidcock, 43pts;
Formula 600 Sidecars 1st Howard Baker/Mike Killingsworth, 106pts; 2nd Brian Alflatt/Aaron Gorman, 45pts; 3rd Richard Hackney/ Andrew Mitchell, 41pts
Steel Framed 600 1st Antony Porter, 114pts; 2nd Dave Marsden, 78pts; 3rd Dean Ephgrave, 70pts
Pre Injection 600 1st Andrew Lowe, 70pts; 2nd Jamie Pearson, 45pts; 3rd Chris North, 39pts
Mini Sound of Thunder 1st David Carson, 99pts; 2nd Kevin Bond, 54pts; 3rd Stephen Taylor, 48pts
Sound of Thunder 1st Lloyd Shelley, 99pts; 2nd Jamie Horner, 71pts; 3rd Michael Gloster, 30pts
Pre 98’s Up to 500cc 1st Chris Moore, 72pts; 2nd Neil Lloyd, 31pts; 3rd Chris Moffitt, 12pts
Pre98’s up to 1300cc 1st Andrew Lowe, 64pts; 2nd Mark Brailsford, 55pts; 3rd Jamie Pearson, 45pts
Classic 250 1st Glenn Atkinson, 85pts; 2nd Mark Cockerton, 64pts; 2nd Geoff Hadwin, 53pts
Classic 350 1st Brian Prescott, 103pts; 2nd Benjamin Smith, 42pts; 3rd Jim Barnett, 18pts
Classic 500 1st Gary Widdowson, 54pts; 2nd Oliver Presswood, 42pts; 3rd Gordon Thorpe, 36pts
Classic 1000 1st David Bradley, 114pts; 2nd Mike Harding, 33pts; 3rd Andy Bailey, 15pts