Round 2 and Thunderfest at Darley Moor

Sunday 21^st May will see the Darley Moor Motorsport Centre, near Ashbourne (DE6 2ET or What3words: bounty.behalf.charm) burst back into life again when the Darley Moor Motor Cycle Road Race Club open the gates on Round 2 of their Championship season.

As usual there will be a huge variety of machinery competing throughout the day in the Championship classes: singles, twins, triples and four-cylinder engines; two, three and four-wheeled racing machinery from the 1960’s through to modern superbikes.

Practice sessions are scheduled to start at 10am with the first of twenty races due to begin at approximately 11.30am.  In addition to the updated range of classes for this year, Round 2 will see the Thunderfest event return, not a race but a time trial with a difference.  Thunderfest is open to any motorcycle, road or race, built before 1978, from 50cc through to 990cc and with 20 riders registered there will be huge selection of machines out on track.  After practice, the riders set their own target speed and attempt to lap the circuit for 20 minutes, plus 2 laps, 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.  Colin Else (Buxton) won last year’s Thunderfest, after lapping just 0.38mph from his predicted speed!  Just listing several local riders will give an indication of the variety of machinery that will be out on track during the event:

Graham Ashley, 496cc Honda – Long Eaton

Colin Ellse, BSA A75R – Buxton

Mike Harvey, Ducati 860 – Derby

Rob Head, BSA/Norton 740 – Cotgrave

Mick Smedley, Van Veen Kreidler 50 – Derby

In addition to the Thunderfest competitors there will be plenty of local competitors in contention for silverware throughout the day in the regular Championship classes and early entries include:

Honda CB500/Suzuki Bandit class - Richard Hughes (Wolverhampton) double winner at Round 1 and Jordan Poole (Stoke on Trent) 3^rd place finisher on both occasions last time.

Lightweight class - Iain Davis (Ashbourne) who recorded a 2^nd and 5^th place; Kyle McKinna-Brown (Stockport) 3^rd and 2^nd place finishes last time out and Ben Brown (Romiley) 3^rd place finisher in last year’s Championship.

Formula 600 class – David Carson (Northwich) multiple winner at Round 1, 700 Twins Champion and Runner-Up in class in 2022.  Mark Goodings (Doncaster) Open Solo Champion of 2022 and with a 3^rd place finish at Round 1. Matthew Rostron (Formby) who recorded a 5^th place in the first race and Runner-Up in the second at Round 1.

The Open Solo class will see Goodings defending his title against winner of the opening race and 3^rd place finisher in the second race of 2023, Adam Walters (Derby), plus Ben Scranage (Bolton) who recorded a 6^th and 4^th place back in March.

Pre-Injection Solo class has entries from double winner at Round 1, Stuart Bradbury (Belper) and Mark Brailsford (Chesterfield) 2022 Forgotten Era 1300 Champion.

Pre-Electronic 600/750 Twins – Nick Clare (Winsford) 3^rd place in the 2022 Championship and recording a 2^nd and 3^rd place at Round 1 alongside Adam Sheriff (Barnsley) winner of the second race last time out.

700cc Twins – 2022 Champion and collector of the most silverware at the opening round, David Carson and Anthony Thane (Stoke on Trent) with two 3^rd place finishes in March.

Forgotten Era/Classic – 2022 Champions Mark Brailsford, Paul Hawksworth (Castle Donington) and Glenn Atkinson (Northampton), plus Adam Sheriff, Stuart Bradbury, with Iain Davis (Ashbourne) and Andrew Bailey (Chesterfield) 1^st and 2^nd place finishers in the 250cc class.

In the new for 2023 classes, the Wilson Trophy currently has 2^nd placeman, Jordan Giddings (Derby) along with Matt Zschiesche  and Jordan Poole (both Stoke on Trent), plus Iain Davis.

The Darley Cup will David Carson attempt to continue his winning streak, plus Adam Green (Washington) who recorded a 3^rd and 2^nd place finish and Patrick Lord (Derby) recording two 4^th places at Round 1.

The Ben Godfrey Trophy – has early entries from Mark Goodings (Doncaster) and Ben Scranage (Bolton), who are currently 2^nd and 3^rd in the Championship standings.

Sidecars – 2022 Formula 600 Champions Howard Baker/Mike Killingsworth (Sutton Coldfield/Lincoln), plus Runners-Up Bill and Nick Roberts (Coventry) with 2022 Champions Steve Thomas/ Danny Lewis (Wirral) heading the entries for the Open Class

With many more entries expected this is sure to be another excellent day’s racing at the Derbyshire circuit and thankfully the Club were able to hold prices at the 2022 rate with Advance tickets at  Adults £13, Seniors £10 or On The Day prices of £16 and £12, respectively.  Camping can also be arranged at the circuit for just £7 per night, or £6 if booked in advance and take advantage of getting an early opportunity to claim their favoured vantage point.  Please visit www.darleymoorstore.com.

Championship Standings (after Round 1)