Mixed Weather but Excellent Racing at Darley Moor

Tuesday June 18, 2019 at 1:59pm

Round 3 of the Darley Moor Motorcycle Road Race Club took place on Sunday 16th June 2019 at the Darley Moor Motor Sports Centre, near Ashbourne and spectators were certainly treated to some excellent racing on two, three and four wheels all in some extreme weather conditions, from heavy rain to glorious sunshine.

From the full race programme five races were decided by less than 0.5sec at the chequered flag, closest of the day was the first Superkart UK Championship which saw Chris Purdie (North Shields) take victory from Shaun Lombardo (March) by just 0.2sec after a race long battle. After failing to start the first race Mark Gellatly (Stafford) made amends in the second race, taking victory by over 16sec, from Purdie.

Onto two wheels and it was the Formula 600 class, Rich Baker (Crewe) and Brad Vicars (Tadcaster) in particular, that ensured everybody were entertained. During the opening encounter Baker was first across the start/finish line on each lap, but Vicars was never further than just 1sec adrift throughout, finishing just 0.23sec behind Baker at the flag. However, in the second encounter things were a little different, Baker led the field for the opening three laps, with Vicars in 2nd place, but closing the gap until making the pass into lead on Lap4 although unable to stretch out a significant advantage. The pair finally separated by just 0.26sec at the chequered flag.

The opening Peak Cup race offered another fantastic battle at the head of the field with Harry Jackson (Mansfield) leading across the line at the end of each lap, but with Richard Charlton (County Durham) attempting to close the gap throughout the race, down to just 0.38sec at the flag. Despite recording the fastest lap of the race on Lap5 Ben Scranage (Bolton) had to settle for 3rd place, 2.8sec adrift of the winner. After finishing Lap1, of the opening race, in 6th and having to settle for 4th place, Josh Daley (Wigan) made amends in the second race taking a flag-to-flag victory from Ash Stone (Matlock), over 10seconds back. Although, Scranage had followed Daley over the line in 2nd place but was disqualified from the Results for not having a transponder fitted.

All the riders mentioned above were in action in the combined Open Solos, Pre-Injection and Sound of Thunder race, unsurprisingly the largest grid of the day, and the action ensured the spectators were kept on their feet. The opening four laps saw Scranage and Jackson locked in a thrilling battle, separated by no more than 0.1sec, with Scranage leading across the line at the end of each lap. However, circulating in close proximity obviously has it’s hazards and Jackson slid off at Park Corner on Lap5 Scranage was forced to take avoiding action allowing Da-ley, who was a little more than 1sec behind, to benefit, hitting the front whilst Scranage was getting himself back on track, allowing Daley a 2sec cushion at the flag, with Scranage having to settle for 2nd and Charlton just 0.9sec behind in 3rd place. Baker was the first Sound of Thunder machine home in 7th place Overall and Anthony Froggatt (Worksop) the first Pre-Injection machine, 13th Overall. The eagerly awaited second race gave much the same, but without the disaster at the head of the field. Stone lead across the line on the opening lap, with Daley and Scranage in hot pursuit. This pair were able to pass Stone on Lap2 and set about their own battle again, although on this occasion Stone was able to stay just far enough ahead of Scranage to avoid a repeat of their opening battle, finishing with an advantage of just 0.27sec at the flag. Stone followed the pair home for 3rd place with Vicars 4th. Baker repeated his first race result, first Sound of Thunder machine in 7th and Froggatt was again the first Pre-Injection machine, but this time 9th Overall.

The Classic & Forgotten Era races also provided some close racing at the head of the field; in the opening race Tony Griffiths (Pontypridd) was quickest off the line on his 400cc machine, holding the lead for the opening two laps. Behind him Gordon Clark (Hemel Hempstead) was closing in on his 1100cc machine and found a way through to lead on Lap3. Lap4 saw Gary Porter (Wigan) on another Classic 1000 machine pass Griffiths and set about closing the gap to Clark, but despite recording the fastest lap on Lap5 he could only get the advantage down to 0.73sec at the flag. Griffiths recorded an excellent 3rd place on his smaller machine. Glenn Atkinson (Northampton) was the first Classic 250 machine home in 9th place Overall. The second race saw another quick start from Griffiths, but this time holding on to the lead until Lap5, when Clark found a way through. However, on this occasion and despite another Fastest Lap from Porter on Lap4, Griffiths was able to hold his 2nd place advantage until the end, finishing 1.3sec behind Clark, but 2.5sec ahead of Porter. Graham Oakley (Chesterfield) took the Classic 250 honours on this occasion, 10th Overall.

The combined CB500/Lightweight races saw Lightweight machines take the top three places; Steven Howard (Burscough) taking a start-finish victory in the first race, from James Ford (Whaley Bridge) who had held 2nd place throughout. Chris Moore (High Peak) had a very different race after finishing Lap1 in 11th place, Lap2 saw him up to 9th, Lap3 6th and finally into 3rd place on the 4th lap. Much the same as Howard and Ford, Mark Brailsford (Chesterfield) was the first CB500 machine home, after circulating in 4th place throughout the race. The second race saw Howard again quickest off the line and hold the lead until Lap3 when Moore, who had made a much quicker start this time, 3rd after Lap1, 2nd on Lap2 and into the lead on Lap3 and then stretching out an advantage of over 8sec at the flag. Howard was able to hold onto 2nd place with Ford finishing just 0.5sec behind in 3rd. Brailsford was again the highest placed CB500 competitor, finishing 6th Overall.

The combined Junior and Senior races saw Senior competitor David Glossop (Wilmslow) take both Overall victories after heading the field on all but the opening lap of the second race. Junior racers Katie Hand (Cabourne) was 4th and Jack Smith (Rotherham) 5th place on the opening lap, but when the race was red flagged after 4 laps Smith had made it through to 2nd and Hand up to 3rd Overall. The second race saw Smith lead the opening lap, with Scarlett Robinson (New Mills) 2nd and Glossop 3rd. Glossop hit the front on Lap2, whilst Smith was able to keep his advantage over Robinson to the end of the 8lap race.

The remaining solo races, the combined Pre-Injection 600 and Mini Sound of Thunder classes saw Stuart Bradbury (Kilburn) claim two start-finish victories on his Pre-Injection machine and David Carson (Northwich) take the Mini Sound of Thunder class wins with an overall 3rd in both races.

Fans of three wheeled motorsport were treated to a masterclass by the Howard Baker/Mike Killingsworth (Sutton Coldfield/Lincolnshire) in the opening Sidecar race, taking victory by over 10sec after overhauling Roger and Bradley Stockton (Crewe) on Lap2 with their Formula 600 outfit. The top Open Sidecar pairing were Anthony Eades/? Roberts (Hyde/Coventry) in 4th place. The second race saw a thrilling battle at the head of the field with ‘Team Stockton’ leading Baker/Killingsworth across the line for the first six laps, but the pressure got too great and Baker found a way through and went on to take victory by just 1.3sec at the flag. The Open Sidecar class saw a race-long battle between Eades/Roberts and Martin Best/Lawrence (), the Best/Lawrence outfit finding a way past on the final lap to take the class victory by 0.24sec!

Mixed weather it may have been, but the day’s racing was excellent so you will be pleased to know it’s less than a month to go before Round 4 on 14th July 2019.

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/.

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 3)

Junior Championship

1st Katie Hand, 30pts; 2nd Scarlett Robinson, 28pts; 3rd Jack Smith, 21pts

Senior Championship

1st Freddie Simcox, 24pts; 2nd Simon Hart, 16pts, 3rd David Glossop, 16pts

Classic & Forgotten Era up to 250cc

1st Graham Oakley, 43pts; 2nd Glenn Atkinson, 35pts; 3rd Daniel Pritchard, 15pts

Classic & Forgotten Era 251cc to 500cc

1st Mike Lees, 32pts; 2nd Chris Moore, 22pts; 3rd Tony Griffiths, 17pts;

Classic & Forgotten Era 501cc – 1300cc

1st David Bradley, 38pts; 2nd Gordon Clark, 16pts; 3rd Geoff Martin, 15pts

Lightweight Championship