Friday October 28, 2022 at 2:50pm
After a seemingly endless wait since the last EMRA round at Mallory Park in early September. The nail biting wait for David Degroot ended last Sunday as he took the new 80cc championship with ease.
David Degroot went into the last round with a 20 point lead over team mate Steve Lawton but there were no team orders and with other riders entering the series the pressure was on for David to finish with at least two 3rds to take the title. But he needn’t have worried.
In race one whilst David sensibly rode tactically to defend his lead. unknown to him his rival Steve Lawton was unable to start the race. Owen Monaghan took the win in tricky conditions from David in an easy second place with Mac Parsons third and that was all that was needed to crown David the 1st Champion of the new 50-80 cc Racing Group. A delighted David celebrated with his SJL team, supporters and family all wearing matching tee shirts for his first ever road racing championship.
There was no time for Champagne though as race two came round quite quickly. The freshy crowned EMRA CB500 champion Owen Monaghan won the second race on his RLT sponsored YZ85 based Yamaha after a battle with the new and now unpressured 80 champion David Degroot in an entertaining race that saw Steve Lawton come back out to take an excellent third place in the ever improving conditions.
Of the championship David said: It been a really exciting series to take part in and I have had excellent support from SJL racing throughout, I couldn’t be in a better team. I have had great support from my family and friends. The family atmosphere and rider support within the 80 racing teams has been so helpful. I’m looking forward to racing them again next year. David is currently looking for sponsors to share his continued success for 2023.
The 50-80cc racing group also announced the big news for next year: That the 80cc riders have been invited to bring the championship into the ACU British 50cc and 125 Streetstock series. For 2023
So next year we will see rounds at Darley Moor, Mallory, Tonfanau Oulton, Angelsey, Aintree, Three Sisters and more.
A delighted Team SJL and Degroot family celebrate at Mallory Park