Tuesday March 26, 2013 at 10:19am
It’s time for motorcycle road race fans to dig out the thermos flask from the back of the cupboard once more and begin to study the long range weather forecast with extra interest, the boring time of year is behind us and the action is about to begin.
The Darley Moor Motorcycle Road Race Club may be starting their season a little later than in the past, but they will have more they made up for that as the Easter Weekend will see two full days of racing, including a British Championship Round. Bring your own accommodation with you (and a few extra layers) and you can have a weekend away from the mundane cleaning, gardening and DIY chores normally associated with the first Bank Holiday weekend of the year.
With the first two Rounds of the 2013 Championships being held on the same weekend machine preparation and consistency will be vital, leaving the circuit on Monday evening with no points ‘on the board’ leaves a huge task for the rest of the season.
To add extra spice to the weekend there is sure to be a number of novice riders making their first foray onto the Darley Moor tarmac, will any of these make the sparks fly as they get amongst the usual front-runners, and will any of them be the next Cal Crutchlow?
At the time of going to print there will be ten 2012 Champions starting the defence of their title – Jim Hodson (Peak Cup and Open Solo); Ray Thomas/Neil Aslaksen (Open Sidecar); Gary Dangerfield (Formula Darley and Mini Sound of Thunder); John Shipley/Ian Cunliffe (Formula 600 Sidecar); Steve Price (Steel Framed 600); Anthony Porter (Pre Injection 600); Steven Hill (Sound of Thunder); Ian Morgan (Pre98’s (Up to 1300cc)).
Two more Champions, Tim Sayers (Pre 98’s (up to 500cc)) and David Carson (Formula 125) will also be racing but have switched classes and will be challenging for honours in both the Formula Darley and Mini Sound of Thunder classes.
For fans of four wheeled motorsport, as usual each Darley Moor Club Championship Round has two races for Long Circuit Superkarts. Easter Monday’s races will certainly see a top class field of
The cost of adult admission to Darley Moor for all meetings, except the end of season Stars at Darley meeting, is £11.00 per day, children under 16 are free, Senior Citizens are £6.00. Parking and Paddock Transfer is free and a programme costs just £3.00.
For the Stars at Darley meeting adult admission is £15 and Senior Citizens £8.00, adult admission to the Test Days is £5.00.
Alternatively a Season Pass is available for £80, Senior Citizens £48 and this gives you access to ALL meetings at Darley, a total of 13 race days, not just the Darley Moor Club Championship events.
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 £5.00 per unit per night. You can normally arrive after 5.00 pm on the Friday and stay until 10.00 am on the morning after the meeting.
2012 Champions
Peak Cup - Jim Hodson Open Solos - Jim Hodson
Open Sidecars - Ray Thomas/Neil Aslaksen Lightweight - Adam Hoare
GP125 - Ricky Tarren Formula 600 - Richard Wardle
Formula Darley - Gary Dangerfield Formula 125 - David Carson
Formula 600 Sidecars - John Shipley/Ian Cunliffe Steel Framed 600 - Steve Price
Pre Injection 600 - Anthony Porter Mini Sound of Thunder - Gary Dangerfield
Sound of Thunder - Steven Hill Pre 98’s (up to 500cc) - Tim Sayers
Pre 98’s (up to 1300cc) - Ian Morgan