The Darley Moor Motor Cycle Road Race Club are preparing for a busy weekend of race action when they hold their double header over the 2nd/3rd July 2022, for Rounds 4 and 5 of the Club Championship.
With plenty of space for camping what better way to spend a weekend at the Darley Moor Motorsport Centre (DE6 2ET), nestled in the beauty of the Derbyshire Dales? And, with Darley Moor being one of the few circuits in which dogs are welcome, you can bring the whole family, provided they are kept on a lead during race day and the owners act in a responsible manner. Although only if you get your ‘buzz’ from high octane motorsport on two, three and four wheels – solo motorcycles, sidecars and karts will all provide some superb close racing. With classes for 250cc two strokes, four stroke singles, twins, triples and four-cylinder machines, road bikes to modern race-kitted superbikes, there will be something that appeals to your eardrums.
This coming weekend will see the Championship pass its halfway stage and with just two Rounds remaining it should give a big indication into which way the silverware will be heading. The current standings do not give a true indication just yet because Round 3 clashed with several events, including the Isle of Man TT, but by the end of the weekend some of the most likely Champions could become evident and there is plenty of local interest.
Once again local favourite and multiple Stars at Darley winner, Richard Cooper (Hucknall) will be one of the busiest riders of the weekend with three machines in his ‘stable’; his Suzuki 1000cc Superbike, 600cc Supersport machine and the ‘cheap & cheerful’ Honda CB500 to compete in a total of fourteen races over the weekend: Allcomers 2; Honda CB500/Suzuki Bandit; Formula 600 and Open Solo classes.
Friend of Cooper’s, Daz Bellworthy (Derby) currently sits 3rd in the Open Solo Championship, just 2points behind Matthew Bell (Sheffield) who is 14points adrift of current leader Mark Goodings (Doncaster). However, Josh Daley (Wigan) returns this weekend and after taking maximum points at the opening Round is sure to feature in the results.
Cooper and Bellworthy will also be competing in the CB500/Bandit Championship, currently equal 4th on 15points, with Alistair Corr (Morton, Derbyshire) currently leading the class on 25points. Connor Woodman (Poulton Le Fylde), Jordon Poole (Stoke on Trent) are both 2nd, on 20points.
Cooper’s final class will be in the Formula 600 in which he currently sits just 1point behind leader Ben Dale (Warrington), whilst non points scorers at the previous round Albert Walker (Retford) and David Carson (Northwich), will be trying to increase their points tally, being a further 9 and 13points behind the leader, respectively. However, Carson has recorded points in the 700cc Twins class, Carson the current leader by just 8points, but Walker is still to register any points in this Championship. Carson’s closest rival entered for the meeting at this current time is 4th place Andy Whale (Birmingham), winner of the race last time out. Whale is also entered for the Lightweight class in which he won the opening race of the season and has only managed to add 6points to his tally since. Whale is currently 4th in the Championship with Peter Fell (Burton on Trent) leading on 40points, enjoying a 16point advantage over his nearest rival.
Maximum points scorer in the Pre-Injection (up to 1300cc) class Adam Walters (Derby) will be protecting his 100% record against 2nd place man, Andrew Boulton (Newcastle under Lyme), but he will also have contention from Mark Brailsford (Chesterfield) who will be trying to get some points on the board.
Brailsford will also be out in the Forgotten Era races in the Up to 1300cc class, currently 7points behind series leader Martin Davis (Manchester). Out on track at the same time will be Paul Hawksworth (Castle Donington) in the Forgotten Era 500, trying to reduce the 6point deficit to Mike Lees (Congleton) at the top of the Championship; whilst Graham Oakley (Chesterfield) will be looking to get his first points of the year in the Forgotten Era 250 class.
At present the pre-Electronic 600 class is the closest, with the top three separated by just 3points: Stuart Bradbury (Belper) leading Wayne Kemp (Manchester) by 2points and Dean Ephgrave (Hucknall) just a further point behind.
Onto three wheels and both Championships, Open and Formula 600, will see the top two crews resuming their battles for honours Steve Thomas/Danny Lewis (Rockferry/Wirral) aiming to increase their slender 8point lead over Anthony Eades/Ash Gibson(Hyde) in the Open Class. Whilst Bill & Nick Roberts (Coventry) have an 18point deficit to reduce over Howard Baker/Mike Killingsworth (Sutton Coldfield/Lincoln).
As always Practice begins at 10.00 am with the first race scheduled for 11.30am.
The cost of adult admission to Darley Moor for all meetings, except the end of season Stars at Darley meeting, is £16.00 per day, children under 16 are free, and Senior Citizens are £12.00.
Advance Tickets at discount prices (£13 and £10) 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 £7.00 per unit per night (£6 in advance). 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. Championship Tables (after Round 3) Open Solos
1st Mark Goodings, 39pts; 2nd Matthew Bell, 25pts; 3rd Daz Bellworthy, 23pts Open Sidecars
1st Steve Thomas / Danny Lewis , 42pts; 2nd Anthony Eades / Ash Gibson, 34pts; 3rd Dave Molyneux/ Daryl Gibson, 15pts Lightweight
1st Peter Fell, 40pts; 2nd Lewis Jones, 24pts; 3rd George Bedford, 22pts Formula 600
1st Ben Dale, 22pts; 2nd Richard Cooper, 19pts; 3rd Albert Walker, 18pts Formula 600 Sidecar
1st Howard Baker/Mike Killingsworth, 42pts; 2nd Bill Roberts/Nick Roberts, 24pts; 3rd Chris Schofield/Shane Colbrook, 15pts Pre-Electronic 600/750 Twin
1
st Stuart Bradbury, 30pts; 2
nd Wayne Kemp
, 28pts; 3
rd Dean Ephgrave, 27pts
700 Twins
1
st David Carson, 30pts; 2
nd Chris Barton, 22pts; 3
rd Richard Saville, 20pts
Honda CB500 & Suzuki Bandit
1
st Alistair Corr, 25pts; 2
nd Connor Woodman, 20pts; 3
rd Jordan Poole, 20pts
Pre-Injection 1300
1
st Adam Walters, 45pts; 2
nd Adam Boulton, 36pts; 3
rd Ian McKenzie, 30pts
Classic 500
1
st Oliver Presswood, 42pts; 2
nd Rob Hodson, 15pts.
Forgotten Era 1300
1
st Martin Davis, 37pts; 2
nd Mark Brailsford, 30pts; 3
rd David Bradley, 12pts
Forgotten Era 500
1
st Mike Lees, 30pts; 2
nd Paul Hawksworth, 27pts; 3
rd Nigel Race, 10pts
Forgotten Era 250
1
st Glenn Atkinson, 45pts
Report by Brian George Photography/PR
Photos by Tony Else Photography