Thunderfest Returns to Darley

Tuesday April 25, 2017 at 2:44pm

This May Day Bank Holiday, 1st May 2017, will see the most varied mixture of machinery out for Round 2 of the Darley Moor Motor Cycle Road Race Club’s Championship at the circuit near Ashbourne, DE6 2ET. In addition to the regular championship classes for pure racing machinery, old and new; production based machines, old and new; solos, sidecars and season long guests the Long Circuit Kart Club will also see a wide range of racing machinery on track for the Thunderfest event.

Thunderfest is open to any motorcycle, road or race, built before 1978, from 50cc through to 990cc and with almost 40 riders registered there will be huge selection of machines out on track bringing the sounds of the past back to life. After practice, the riders set their own target speed and attempt to lap the circuit for 20 minutes, 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, in the past the winner has managed to lap within 0.05mph of his target! There are a number of local riders taking part on their classic machines including:

Phil Bootherstone (Burton on Trent) Triumph Tiger Cub 200

Brian Glover (No Mans Heath, Tamworth) Norton Manx 500

Martin Head (Cotgrave) BSA/Norton 700

Robert Head (Cotgrave) BSA/Norton 650

Ian Jackson (Cheadle Hulme) Suzuki 492

Peter Jordan (Derby) Ariel 250

Mick Smedley (Derby) Van Veen Kreidler

George Whittaker (Macclesfield) Suzuki T500

This forthcoming weekend will also see the first piece of silverware presented, in memory of a young racer who lost his life in a road accident, the Curtis Milner Trophy will be presented to the overall winner of the second Formula 600 races from Round 1 and Round 2. Lloyd Shelley (Burntwood) currently holds the advantage, but some fantastic racing at the first Round shows this will not be a foregone conclusion. The Club are hoping that, as in previous years, Curtis’ parents will be on hand to present the Trophy. Shelley will certainly be hoping to maintain his perfect start to the Darley Moor season, four wins from four starts.

Chris Moore (High Peak) will certainly be amongst the front-runners in the Formula Darley and Lightweight classes, securing victories and Runner-Up placings in both at Round 1. Whilst James Hind (Nettleton) will be looking to improve on a Runner-Up spot in the second Lightweight race last time out.

There are a number of other local riders who will definitely be at the head of the field in many of the classes judging on their performances at Round 1; Pre Injection 1000: Jamie Pearson (Derby), winner of both; Mark Brailsford (Chesterfield), two 3rd places. Pre Injection 600/Steel Framed 600: Andrew Lowe (Stone), 2x Pre Injection winner; Dean Ephgrave (Hucknall) 2x Steel Framed winner. Classic 1000: David Bradley (Matlock) double winner. Sidecars: Gary Knight and Dan Evanson (Macclesfield/Crewe) victory in first race.

Round 1 got the season off to an excellent start and with the number of entries already received for Round 2 Bank Holiday Monday looks set to be another excellent day of racing, be sure not to miss out. Practice starts at 1000hrs, with the first race scheduled for 1130hrs.

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 2017 Season Pass for Darley Moor is also available for £75 including VAT (£48 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.

2017 Championship standings after Round 1

Peak Cup

1st Jim Hodson, 13pts; 2nd Simon Bowyer, 9pts; 3rd Frank Gallagher, 9pts

Open Solo

1st Ben Scranage, 15pts; 2nd, Ben Crow, 9pts; 3rd, Jim Hodson, 9pts

Open Sidecars

1st Ray Thomas/Neil Aslaksen, 15pts; 2nd Gary Knight/Dan Evanson, 9pts; 3rd Brian Wilson/Mike Fairhurst, 8pts

Lightweight

1st Chris Moore, 15pts; 2nd Steve Neate, 9pts; 3rd James Hind, 9pts

GP125

1st Emma Franklin, 12pts; 2nd Ewan Potter, 12pts; 3rd Brendan Brown, 9pts

Formula 600