August Bank Holiday Monday 27th August will see regular competitors battle it out during Round 6 of the Darley Moor Motorcycle Road Race Championship, but it will also be the day you can see and hear the unique sound of an iconic British racing motorcycle – the Norton Rotary Racer.
Twenty-five years ago engineer Brian Crighton built the machine, and racer Malcolm Heath, gave the bike its first test and race at Darley Moor. This forthcoming weekend will see Malcolm and the machine return to the Darley Moor paddock, where it will be on show throughout the morning before taking to the track for a number of demonstration laps just after lunch. Be sure not to miss the sight and sound of one of the Country’s most loved machines.
With regards to the Championship, three rounds still remain, but one class already has a Champion, Jim Hodson, has an unassailable 63 point lead in the Peak Cup. If all goes well this weekend he could also be the Open Solo Champion, but Jamie Pearson,and Philip Worthington, have the unenviable task of reducing a 45 & 47 point gap respectively, with just a maximum of 54 points available.
Gary Dangerfield is another rider in with a chance of being a double champion, although he does not have the luxury of a large point’s cushion, so he will still need to be trying hard. With a 16 point advantage over Phil Johnson, in both the Formula Darley and Mini Sound of Thunder classes, these two riders will be locked in some fierce battles right down to the final round.
For Hodson Senior, there is also a possibility of the Formula 600 Championship crown as well, but only if he can overhaul the 18 point deficit to leader Richard Wardle, which will also guarantee some excellent battles over these next Rounds.
Adam Hoare currently enjoys a 30 point advantage, in the Lightweight class, over David Taylor, a further 6 points back is Hodson, Jim’s son Rob. If Hoare can extend his advantage by a further 7 points he can also be crowned Champion this weekend.
Another possible champion is Ricky Tarren, if he can maintain his 38 point lead in the GP125 class this weekend, , but he will have to watch two riders as 2nd place is currently shared between Lee Shallcross and Taz Taylor.
Ian Morgan has a 33 point lead in the Pre98’s (Up to 1300cc) over Paul Townley, increasing this by a further 4 points will ensure him of the Championship title. Alex Gallemore in 3rd place has a mathematical chance, 38 points adrift, but Morgan would have to fail to finish a race this weekend to give him a chance.
Normally the favourites in the Formula II sidecars, pairing of Roy Hanks and daughter Julie are currently 3rd in the Championship and have to try and overturn a deficit of 35 points to John Shipley and Ian Cunliffe.
William Green is currently 3rd in the Formula 125 class, 41 points behind the leader, but with just 10 points separating him from 2nd, this will be a realistic target for the weekend.
In the Pre Injection 600 class Anthony Porter heads the table, enjoying a 21 point cushion, but this is far from comfortable as Stu Riley, will be aiming to close the gap this weekend and prevent the title from being decided early. Jon Skelson, a further 8 points back, is also still in with a chance of becoming champion.
The final 3 classes with the chance of the title going to local competitors are sure to go right down to the final race of the season. Dean Ephgrave, and Steve Price are separated by a single point at the head of the Steel Framed 600 class, with Ben Hunter in 3rd, 22 points behind.
Robert Garmory, leads the Pre98’s (up to 500cc) class by just 4 points from Tim Sayers, with Wez Pearce, 29 points back in 3rd.
Other than Steel Framed 600’s, the hardest fought battle over the final Rounds will be in the Sound of Thunder class, just 7 points separating the top 3 positions. Martyn Green, leading from Craig Gardner, Whitwick, 2nd and Steven Hill 3rd.
The action will get underway when Practice starts at 10.00am and the races due to start at approximately 11.30am. Adults £11.00, Senior Citizens £6.00, kids under 16 free, parking & paddock transfer free, with Programmes £3.00.
As always there will be plenty of space for camping/caravanning over the weekend, from Friday afternoon through to 10.00am Tuesday morning at just £5.00 per night.
Championship standings (After 5 Rounds)
Peak Cup
1st Jim Hodson, 90pts; 2nd Danny Smith, 27pts; 3rd Richard Wardle, 19pts;
Open Solos
1st Jim Hodson, 75pts; 2nd Jamie Pearson 30pts; 3rd Philip Worthington 28pts
Open Sidecars
1st Anthony Eades/Iain Greensmith, 69pts; 2nd Ray Thomas/Neil Aslaksen 52pts; 3rd Kenny Howles/Marc Maier, 6pts
Lightweight
1st Adam Hoare, 54pts; 2nd David Taylor, 24pts; 3rd Rob Hodson, 18pts
GP125
1st Ricky Tarren, 69pts; 2nd Lee Shallcross, 31pts; 3rd Taz Taylor, 31pts
Formula 600
1st Richard Wardle, 57pts; 2nd Jim Hodson, 39pts; 3rd Rob Hodson, 33pts
Formula Darley
1st Gary Dangerfield, 67pts; 2nd Phil Johnson, 51pts; 3rd Rob Hodson, 12pts
Formula 125
1st David Carson 69pts; 2nd Keenan Armstrong, 39pts; 3rd William Green, 28pts
Formula 600 Sidecars
1st John Shipley/Ian Cunliffe 57pts; 2nd Simon Horton/Melvin Gasson, 23pts; 3rd Roy Hanks/Julie Hanks-Elliott 22pts;
Steel Framed 600
1st Dean Ephgrave 59pts; 2nd Steve Price 58pts; 3rd Ben Hunter 37pts;
Pre Injection 600
1st Anthony Porter 61pts; 2nd Stu Riley 42pts; 3rd Jon Skelson 34pts
Mini Sound of Thunder
1st Gary Dangerfield 56pts; 2nd Phil Johnson 40pts; 3rd Ben Crowe 29pts
Sound of Thunder
1st Martyn Green 43pts 2nd Craig Gardner 39pts; 3rd Steven Hill 36pts;
Pre 98’s (up to 500cc)
1st Robert Garmory, 55pts; 2nd Tim Sayers 51pts; 3rd Wez Pearce 26pts
Pre 98’s (up to 1300cc)
1st Ian Morgan 63pts; 2nd Paul Townley 30pts; 3rd Alex Gallemore 25pts