Wednesday March 16, 2011 at 4:31pm
DARLEY MOOR READY FOR THE FLAG TO DROP FOR THE NEW SEASON
With sponsors increasing their support and some classes already having full grids and reserve riders waiting to see if they will get on the grid the new season is due to blast off with a very positive look at Darley Moor, near Wyaston, Ashbourne.
The Darley Moor Motorcycle Road Race Club’s season gets underway on Saturday 19th March 2011 with a Practice Day allowing competitors to blow away the cobwebs and a little more time to get up to speed, or maybe just get used to a new machine before the serious business kicks off at Round 1 on Sunday 20th March.
Six 2010 Champions have already booked their places in for the Practice Day, so any spectators who have missed the smell, sound and sight of high performance race bikes, sidecars and karts over the winter can gain admission for al-most 50% of a normal race day cost.
At present Round 1 has just three Champions still to put their entries in and with some riders switching classes
or adding an extra machine to their ‘stable’ there could well be some ‘new’ names surprising the established front
runners.
The Formula 600 class continues to have the largest grid, already having nearly ten reserves waiting to step in if
anyone suffers from mechanical gremlins or a fall. Current Champion Kev Cooper (Stoke-on-Trent) has entered the meeting, but not the Class, choosing to challenge for Peak Cup, Open Solo and Pre 98’s honours.
Double Champions Kev Tait (Loughborough) and Chris Spooner (Stoke-on-Trent) will be defending their titles once more. Although Peak Cup and Open Solo Champion, Tait will once again be under threat from Jim Hodson (Wigan), Shane Pearson (Derby), Kev & Martyn Cooper and Richard Wardle (Stoke-on-Trent). Spooner, Lightweight and
Formula 400/650 (now titled Formula Darley) will be aiming to continue his obvious ability in these classes and, for Round 1 at least, cause some upsets in the Formula 600 class.
Formula 125 Champion, David Carson (Northwich) is also having some extra races at Round 1, joining the Pre 98’s grid with Cooper and Davis and the Sound of Thunder startline, in addition to defending his title.
The Sound of Thunder, Champion James Ford (High Peak) will no doubt be trying to hold Jamie Medhurst (Long Eaton) at bay whilst defending this title. This Championship class will definitely have a new Champion for 2011 as there is now a separate title for riders of machines 650cc and below. You can certainly expect David Carson, Gary Dangerfield (Stonnall) and Ant Porter (Chesterfield) to be amongst the favourites. Steel Framed 600 Champion, Chris
Sammons (Chesterfield) and Jamie Hodson (Wigan) remain the only other Champions currently in the programme for
Round 1, with both Sidecar Champions still to enter, although with Roger Golling/Rob Dean (Stafford) pairing having Roy Hanks/Julie Hanks-Elliott (Birmingham) challenging this will be a tough battle.
Saturday Admission is just £6.00 for Adults, £3.00 for Senior’s with Practice beginning at 10.00AM through to 5.00 PM.
Sunday admission Adults £11.00, Senior Citizens £6.00, kids under 16 free, parking & paddock transfer free, with
Programmes £3.00.
Sunday Practice begins at 10.00 AM with the first race expected at 11.30 AM.
Food is available throughout both days at the ‘Darley Diner’.
Highlighting Darley Moor’s family friendly atmosphere, dogs are also allowed if kept on the lead, possibly the only road race circuit in the Country that allows them.
There is plenty of space available for camping and caravanning over the weekend for just £5.00.
For further information please log onto the Club’s website www.darleymoor.co.uk where you can also listen to Live commentary direct from the meeting if you cannot attend.