Stars Ready to Return to Darley

Tuesday October 2, 2018 at 10:11am

The Darley Moor Motor Cycle Road Race Club are currently preparing for their traditional end of season finale, the Stars at Darley meeting on Saturday 6th October - Sunday 7th October 2018. This year’s event is set to eclipse all previous finales with a very impressive entry list, so be sure to get to the circuit, near Ashbourne, Derbyshire (DE6 2ET), very early to claim the better vantage points.

In addition to the two 10 lap Stars at Darley races there is also the matter of all 17 Club Championships to be

decided, plus a very special piece of silverware to be presented to the overall winner of the combined Steel Framed 600/Pre-Injection 600 race, The Jake Hingley Trophy, in memory of a racer who began his career at Darley Moor in 2012, in the Steel Framed class; unfortunately his career was cut short at Cadwell Park in 2014.

For the very first time this year’s event has the top three finishers from the previous year;

Ben Godfrey (Nottingham) - Stars at Darley title holder, current National Superstock 1000 competitor

Leon Jaycock (Leicester) - Runner-Up, current National Superstock 1000

Ben Scranage (Bolton) - 3rd place finisher, currently leading Darley Moor Motor Cycle Road Race Club Championship’s Peak Cup and Open Solo class.

In addition to these you will be able to see TT Legend and multiple Stars at Darley winner, John McGuinness (Lancaster) giving the latest generation Norton its debut in short circuit competition! Plus;

Richard Cooper (Hucknall) - multiple Stars at Darley winner and currently 14th in British Superbike Championship;

Josh Daly (Wigan) - National Superstock 1000 competitor

Tom Fisher (Nottingham) - National Superstock 1000 competitor

James Henry (Castle Donington) - National Superstock 1000 competitor

Lee Jackson (Lincoln) - currently 6th in National Superstock 1000 Championship

Ben Luxton (Southport), currently 8th National Superstock 600 Championship

Milo Ward (Northampton), currently 4th National Superstock 600 Championship ()

In addition to the competitors there will be several Darley Moor regulars aiming to repeat last year’s success from Ben Scranage; Lloyd Shelley (Burntwood) recorded 4th Overall last year; Scranage’ 2018 challengers for Peak Cup and Open Solo success Harry Jackson (Mansfield) and Richard Eglin (Derby), Andy Taylor (Chesterfield), David Carson (Northwich) and Matt Zschiesche (Biddulph).

Fans of three wheeled motorsport also have a few national competitors mixing it with the regular Darley Moor teams, although they will not be scoring championship points.

Lee Crawford/Scott Hardie (County Durham) - currently 2nd in the FSRA Formula 2 Sidecar Championship (Binchester)

Sean Hegarty/James Neeve (Felixstowe) – currently 5th in FSRA Formula 2 Sidecar Championship

John Holden/Lee Cain (Clitheroe/Isle of Man) 3x British F2 Sidecar Champions and 2x TT Winner

The Club Championship races take on a different format for this end of season finale, instead of the usual sprint style races and in order to create room on race day for the two Stars at Darley events, the Championship classes will each have one 15-lap race, in which there will four times the usual points haul available, 36points for the race win, meaning that there could easily be a few surprises right the end of the season. Be sure to come along and support your local riders.

The weekend starts with a Test Day on Saturday 6th and with race day on the 7th October. As always, the on-track action begins with Practice at 10am, whilst the first race is scheduled for 11.30 am. The cost of adult admission to the Stars at Darley meeting is £16.00 on race day, children under 16 are free, and Senior Citizens are £10.00. Parking and Paddock Transfer is free and a programme costs just £3.00. Adult admission to the Test Day is £6.00, Senior Citizens 65 and over £4.00.

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. Camping will normally be available from 4.00 pm on the Friday evening until 10.00 am on the day after the meeting or by special arrangement with the circuit management – Call 01335 343833.

Darley Moor is one of the few circuits in which dogs are welcome, provided they are always kept on a lead and the owners act in a responsible manner.

2018 Championship standings (After 6 Rounds)

Peak Cup

1st Ben Scranage, 73pts; 2nd Harry Jackson, 64pts; 3rd Richard Eglin, 40pts;

Open Solo

1st Ben Scranage, 90pts; 2nd Harry Jackson, 60pts; 3rd Richard Eglin, 42pts;

Open Sidecars

1st Anthony Eades/Keith Box, 66pts; 2nd Steve Thomas/Neil Aslaksen, 58pts; 3rd Roy Tansley/Chris Judge,42pts;

Formula 600

1st Lloyd Shelley, 45pts; 2nd Jamie Pearson, 39pts; 3rd Rich Baker, 38pts

Formula Darley

1st Martin Robbins, 68pts; 2nd Tony Griffiths, 66pts; 3rd Gillian McGaw, 25pts;