SURPRISE ANNOUNCEMENT SHOCKS DARLEY PADDOCK
Darley Moor Motorcycle Road Race Club’s season got underway on Sunday 20th March after a surprise announcement from one of its reigning double Champions. Loughborough’s Kevin Tait shocked the Paddock by announcing his retirement from the sport due to his business commitments becoming ever more time
consuming.
Kevin and partner, Tracey were at the circuit before Sunday to give their thanks to everyone at Darley for the many splendid times they have enjoyed at the circuit.
Secretary, Eddie Nelson said, “The ever popular Tait will be missed by his fans, but everybody at Darley Moor would like to thank Kevin for the excitement he has brought to the circuit over many seasons and we wish him all the best for the future.”
Onto the racing and it was the Pre 98 machines that began proceedings this weekend, whilst one Kev bowed out of the sport another, the Cooper version (from Stoke on Trent), took the chequered flag in his first outing in the class by almost 7 seconds from Gavin Heath (Leek) although Heath was given a 10 second penalty for
jumping the start. Cooper recorded another victory in the second encounter, but on this occasion Heath was only 2 seconds adrift at the flag.
Jim Hodson (Wigan) and Shane Pearson (Derby) shared the honours in the Peak Cup class, Hodson taking the first win from Richard Wardle and Lee Vernon 3rd (both from Stoke on Trent). Unfortunately, Pearson had a nightmare in their first encounter, jumping the start and incurring the 10 second penalty, then failing to complete the first lap. He made amends in the second, taking the win by over 6 seconds from Hodson and Wardle 3rd, whilst Vernon failed to complete the first lap on this occasion.
Reigning Champions Jamie Hodson (Wigan), GP125 and David Carson (Northwich) Formula 125, won their respective classes in the combined first race, but after Hodson suffered the first lap gremlins, Ricky Tarren (Tamworth) recorded his first Darley Moor victory taking the chequered flag in race 2, whilst Carson repeated his Formula 125 success.
Steel framed 600 Champion Chris Sammons (Chesterfield) continued his 2010 form into the new season taking both wins in the combined Steel Framed/Lightweight races. The victory spoils for the Lightweights was shared between Rob Hodson (Wigan) and Ben Godfrey (Long Eaton), their battle in the first race, along with current Champion Chris Spooner (Stoke on Trent) being a real crowd pleaser, the three separated by less than 1 second at the flag.
Paul Martin (Horncastle) took the Sound of Thunder honours with victory on his 1150cc machine from Ant Porter (Chesterfield) on his Mini Sound of Thunder machine by just 2 seconds. With Champion James Ford (High Peak) not making it to the line and Runner-up, Jamie Medhurst (Long Eaton) suffering the first lap gremlins Gary Dangerfield (Stonnall) was 3rd on another Mini Sound of Thunder machine. The second race saw Medhurst take the win, from Ford and Martin respectively. The smaller class victory went to Porter, with Alex Woodhouse (Chesterfield) taking second from Dangerfield.
With no bad luck in the Open Solo races Shane Pearson (Derby) took victory in both from Jim Hodson (Wigan), with Chris Sammons (Chesterfield) next to the flag on both occasions. However, with a jump start penalty in the first race, Sammons dropped to 8th handing Lee Vernon (Stoke on Trent) 3rd place. Bad luck returned for Vernon in the second, when he failed to complete the second lap.
The Formula 600 class always has the largest field and this weekend was no exception. Richard Wardle (Stoke on Trent) led the charge taking both wins from Jim Hodson (Wigan) by less than 1.5 seconds, with Rikki Owen (Whitwick) 3rd each time.
The first Formula Darley (formerly 400/650 Class) race recorded the closest finish of the day, Ant Porter (Chesterfield) taking the chequered flag from Gary Dangerfield (Stonnall) by just 0.26 sec, with reigning Champion Chris Spooner (Stoke on Trent) taking 3rd place. The second race saw Porter take the win again, with Spooner and Dangerfield swapping places, 2nd and 3rd respectively.
Round 2 of the Darley Moor Championship is due to take place on Easter Monday 25th April 2011 and with plenty of space for camping and caravanning over the weekend from Friday through to Tuesday morning for just £5.00 per night, why not take advantage of the family friendly atmosphere and bring them along (with the dog(s)) for a high octane fuelled weekend?
Monday admission Adults £11.00, Senior Citizens £6.00, kids under 16 free, parking & paddock transfer free, with Programmes £3.00.
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’.
There is plenty of space available 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.