Round 5 at Darley Looks to Be a Hot One

Despite it being a busy time of the year for many, with race teams returning from the Manx Grand Prix, the Darley Moor Motor Cycle Road Race Club have already received an excellent entry for the next round of their championship.  Set for Sunday 10^th September 2023, Round 5 of the Club Championship will be the penultimate race weekend of the 2023 season, with the final weekend being a double header for Round 6 and 7 at the Stars at Darley meeting.

From fifteen championship classes, seven will see the top three battling for their share of another set of championship points.  Another four will see at least two competitors within the top3, but all classes will see the championship leader in action.  

As usual the action on track will begin at 10am with the 15-minute Practice sessions and the first race scheduled for Midday. Advance tickets are available now, just visit www.darleymoorstore.com: Adults £13, Seniors £10 or On The Day prices of £16 and £12, respectively.  

The new for 2023 Trophy classes will get the race action started, firstly the hotly contested Ben Godfrey Trophy class, in memory of the Nottingham based 2017 Stars at Darley Winner, who sadly lost his life in an accident, at Donington Park, in 2020.  With many of this weekend’s competitors knowing Ben and enjoying previous battles with him, at Darley Moor, to be the first name on  the Trophy will be extra special.  Matthew Bell (Sheffield) currently leads Mark Goodings (Doncaster) by just 5points, with Daniel Stubbs (Derby) a further 11points adrift, but with all three entered for this weekend there is sure to be some excellent racing.

The Wilson Trophy (and Wilson’s Chicane) are in memory of Allan & Joyce Wilson who were both lifelong supporters of Darley Moor and spent many years working for the betterment of the Club.  Unfortunately, both recently passed away and the Darley Moor Motor Cycle Road Race Club were quick to ensure their efforts would never be forgotten.  The top three are split by just 11points with Peter Fell (Burton on Trent) having a 6point advantage over Aaron Howe (Derby) and Matt Zschiesche (Stoke on Trent) a further 5points behind.

Next up will be the Darley Cup, whilst not a new trophy, just one from the past and open to competitors on machines between 500cc and 850cc, with no other restrictions.  Championship leader, with a 10point advantage, David Carson (Northwich )and 2^nd place competitor Adam Green (Washington) are amongst the dozen competitors already entered, including Mark Goodings and Matthew Rostron (Formby) so the action will be good out on-track.

The combined race, with three classes for Forgotten Era and Classic machines will see six of the nine competitors holding top three places continuing their championship aspirations.  The Up to 1300cc class is one of the closest classes this year with Mark Brailsford (Chesterfield) leading Adam Sheriff  (Barnsley) by just 3points.  Steve Price (Cheadle) enjoys a 19point lead over Mike Lees (Congleton) with Paul Hawksworth (Castle Donington) just a further 4points back in 3^rd place in the 251cc – 500cc class, whilst Ian Davis (Ashbourne) enjoys an 18point lead in the 250cc class.

Always a remarkably close class the Formula 600 Championship sees Mark Goodings at the head of the field, with David Carson, just 4points behind with Matthew Rostron a further 3points behind him.  With a good entry already, this class is likely to be one of the bigger grids of the day.

The combined Lightweight and CB500 races will see the top three in the Lightweight class, whilst 1^st and 2^nd of the CB500s are amongst the healthy bunch of entries received, so far.  Peter Fell enjoys a 27point lead, in the Lightweight class, with Kyle McKinna-Brown (Stockport) 2^nd and Iain Davis needing to close the gap this weekend to have any chance of the title.  Matt Zschiesche has a 10point advantage over Aaron Howe (Derby) in the CB500 Championship.

The Open Solo class mirrors the same top three as the Ben Godfrey Trophy although Matthew Bell enjoys a 20point advantage over Goodings, with Stubbs a further 2points behind him in 3^rd.  Running alongside these competitors will be the Pre-injection Open class and Stuart Bradbury (Belper) has the same 20point lead over Rich Chivers-Jarvis (Belper).

The two classes for sidecars, Open and Formula 600 will see the leaders of both lining up on the grid, plus the 2^nd place team in the Open class, which has just a single point separating Keith Waddington/Hannah Brunton (Barnsley/Salford) over Steve Thomas/Danny Lewis (Wirral/Wirral).  The pairing of Howard Baker/Mike Killingsworth (Sutton Coldfield/Lincoln) enjoy a 19point lead in the 600cc class.

The final race in the programme will be the Pre-Electronic 600/750 Twins class running alongside the 700 Twins.  David Carson has an 8point advantage at the head of the table in the 700 Twins, but it is currently 3^rd placeman Ben Wilkinson (Birmingham) that will be his closest rival this weekend and aiming to close the gap.  The Pre-Electronic 600 class is headed by Adam Sheriff who enjoys a 17point lead over Nick Clare (Winsford), with Rich Chivers-Jarvis a further 16points behind.

The racing AND the weather are set to be excellent, so ensure you get in early to gain your ideal vantage point for what looks to be a hot day on all fronts.

Championship Standings (after Round 4)