OK. Yours truly was mistaken. There is one more round of the Bike Road Racing Series. It was thought that the Ulster Grand Prix was the last race of the year. But no. This post will highlight the penultimate race, which is the Scarborough Gold Cup. The setting is North Yorkshire, England, and the town of Scarborough. The track is known as Oliver's Mount. This is the 62nd running of the Scarborough Gold Cup, which is officially known as the International Steve Henshaw Gold Cup.
The first motorcycle race at Oliver's Mount was held back in 1946. This is a short track. It is only 2.43 miles around as compared with some of the other venues that the Bike Road Racing Series has visited throughout the 2012 season such as Cookstown, The Isle of Man, and the Northwest 200 circuit, to name a few. The corners and spots on this track include the Mere Hairpin, Sheene's Rise, Quarry Hill, and The Esses, before going up the long back straightaway. It isn't really a straightaway by definition. Off the back straight, the next corner is called Memorial. From Memorial, there is a short straight that leads to Drury's hairpin.
Going downhill, the riders approach what is known as the Mountside hairpin. This hairpin is tricky, because it is downhill. In the middle of the next straightaway, there is a part called Jeffrie's Jump. The bikes are at top speed in sixth gear, and can either pop a wheelie, or get airborne at this part of the course. Off the straightaway, the bikes come to another section called the Farm Bends. These are slightly slower corners. From Farm Bends, the riders come back to the start/finish line.
John McGuinness is one rider who has won the Scarborough Gold Cup before. The first race of the day is the Darran Lindsay Trophy for the big bikes. This race is actually run in two parts, and we pick up the action in the second part of this event in terms of how it is scored for the points standings. The riders are ready to race.
At the start, Jamie Hamilton gets the jump over everyone else. Guy Martin didn't get the start he wanted, and Bruce Anstey is working his way through the field. Dean Harrison and Michael Pearson battle for second while John McGuinness is currently fourth. The bikes go over Sheene's Rise and power up Quarry Hill for the first time. Dean Harrison overtakes Jamie Hamilton for the race lead. Anstey is hounding McGuinness.
Pearson wants by Hamilton going into Memorial corner. Bruce Anstey is only making his second start at Scarborough in a decade. Guy Martin sweeps around Anstey and takes a spot away. The bikes roll through Drury's and the battle is heating up. Pearson dumps his bike in the hairpin. He'll resume, but lose places. Dean Harrison currently leads, giving it everything he's got on that motorbike at the moment. Anstey now runs fifth, tackling the Farm Bends. Lap one is in the books.
Martin and Anstey are fourth and fifth. Michael Dunlop (a favorite in this championship as readers well know), is languishing in tenth place. Down the backstretch, Martin is applying the blowtorch to McGuinness. Martin passes McGuinness into Memorial corner, and Bruce Anstey has a grandstand view of that, from his bike, just slightly behind. Martin is already up to second, sweeping past Jamie Hamilton. Close shave! Martin is on a charge to the front. Harrison leads and absolutely makes his Kawasaki ZX10R fly over the jump!
Ian Lougher is down in seventh place. He retired from the first leg of the event, but is back on form now. The riders are on their third lap. No indication is given as to how many laps this race will be. Harrison and Martin battle at the sharp end while others are content to give each other some space. Ian Lougher goes too deep into the hairpin, sliding off course, but keeping control of the motorcycle. Jamie Hamilton is slowing down going through Farm Bends. He could have braking issues. Martin sweeps around Harrison once more. Hamilton and McGuinness continue an epic scrap for third.
Hamilton is losing grip and nearly loses his bike, too. But he's hanging on. Ian Lougher continues to chase Mick Cummings. Lougher makes the pass successfully and continues chasing down his competition. Guy Martin is checking out. He's runniing consistent lap times and going smoothly through all the corners. This race is coming to an end. Guy Martin wins it.
#1 Guy Martin Suzuki
The distance for that race was eight laps. Martin wins the Darrin Lindsay cup as the winner.
The next race is for the 650cc Super Twins.
Ryan Farquhar is to retire after this race. So, he will leave a large void in the Super Twin field. Jamie Hamilton was to have taken part in this event, but will not, as he crashed his bike in qualifying the day before.
Once more, this event is in it's second leg. It is the Supertwin Phil Mellor Trophy. At the start of this one, Dean Harrison might have taken the lead as Ian Lougher battles his way through the scrum of bikes. Everyone makes it through the Mere Hairpin. Difficult to tell who is in the lead.
Ian Lougher tries passing Paul Gartlett. But, no dice. Not yet anyway. Davy Morgan passes Lougher. Ivan Lintin is holding down second spot at the present time. Ian Lougher has been shuffled down to sixth spot. This race is another eight lap event. Harrison and Lintin lead through Drury's with Craig Shirlaw third. Lougher still wants by Gartlett. Harrison won the first leg of the Super Twin event. Dean Harrison leads by 8/10ths of a second.
Davy Morgan holds down fourth place. Lougher tries making a pass, but goes straight instead of heading into the turn. It's still Harrison, Lintin, and Shirlaw, the top three. Davy Morgan runs solitary in fourth place. Wayne Martin and John Battey (on bikes #7 and #66 respectively) follow each other down the order in lockstep. Dean Harrison has a decent cushion over Ivan Linton at the moment. Andy McPherson is another rider having a good race. David Bell has passed Paul Gartlett somewhere along the way.
At the halfway mark, the race is red flagged. The race will be restarted. Dean Harrison will lead the bikes away for the restart. Harrison leads over Lintin. David Bell will be third. Harrison has Lintin right on top of him, all over the tailpipe of his bike. The gaps are growing between most of the bikes now. This race will be based on an aggregate result. Dean Harrison must stay ahead of Ivan Lintin if he wants to win without having a battle on his hands. Brad Hughes on bike #51 is running farther down the field at this point.
The top four remains Harrison, Lintin, Shirlaw, and Morgan. There is nothing between Harrison and Linton. But, Harrison might just have this win locked up with the key to the safe, thrown away. It's the last lap of the Super Twin race. Linton is not giving up and not letting Dean Harrison get away. Harrison wins the second race.
#38 Dean Harrison Kawasaki
Guy Martin has actually won the Scarborough Gold Cup, seven times. Martin is the fastest qualifier for the Gold Cup race, setting a time of 1:45.961. This is the big race of the weekend. It is the Scarborough Gold Cup. So many great motorcycle racers have won this race including Phil Read, Geoff Duke, Giacomo Agostini, Barry Sheene, Carl Fogarty, and others. This is the official race. A marshal blows his whistle, telling people to clear the grid.
Bruce Anstey won't start. The gearbox on his bike isn't working. At the start, it's John McGuinness taking the lead, like he was shot from a cannon! Guy Martin is second, while the rest of the pack fiercely battles each other. The bikes runs two by two. Jamie Hamilton is sixth. Michael Pearson and Michael Dunlop are also in the top group. Pearson has crashed. He won't have a chance at winning the Scarborough Gold Cup. McGuinness rides a Superstock bike, while Guy Martin races a full fledged Superbike. It's McGuinness, Martin, and Harrison, the top three.
The riders complete the first of eight laps scheduled. Martin and McGuinness continue their squabble. McGuinness is clearly holding off Martin's Suzuki. Dean Harrison takes Martin by surprise and passes him. Ian Lougher is running slightly behind the top three, right behind Jules Croft. Dean Harrison's rear tire slides, and he drifts the rear end of his bike out, without losing control! Phew! Harrison won't let a slight slip up deter him, as he comes inside John McGuinness, trying to make a pass.
Harrison takes the lead in the Scarborough Gold Cup! Martin passes McGuinness back. Ian Lougher is eleven seconds back from the top three. Lougher still follows Croft. At the front, Harrison and Martin do synchronized jumps, landing right together with both wheels of their bikes back on the tarmac! Wow! Jules Croft is sliding his bike, feeling the heat from Lougher now. Lougher is still having issues with Croft who is holding him up. Meanwhile, Guy Martin has taken the race lead.
Four laps are complete. The Gold Cup race is half over. Bike #69, Dave Willams, is under pressure from a rival. Martin is pulling away from Dean Harrison. Dean Harrison seems to be letting up his relentless pace just a little bit. Michael Dunlop is fourth as the bikes negotiate Jeffrey's jump another time. Gary Graves and Mick Cuddins are in tenth and eleventh spots, further down the order. Guy Martin is checking out. He could very well win this race.
Jamie Hamilton follows Michael Dunlop, but Hamilton is far slower. Ian Lougher successfully manages to pass Jules Croft. Guy Martin starts lap seven, 2.1 seconds ahead of John McGuinness, with a lap or so remaining. Ian Lougher is going well. He won the Gold Cup in 2002, riding a 250cc bike. It was the last time any bike with an engine smaller than 1000ccs has won the Scarborough Gold Cup feature race. Guy Martin wins the Scarborough Gold Cup for the eighth time in his career!
#1 Guy Martin Suzuki
It's time to go three wheelin' folks. The sidecar race is up next!
This is the second leg of the National F2 Sidecar race. The race will be six laps. At the start, Ian and Carl Bell get off to an early lead. The sidecar bikes are so wide, it's going to be difficult for them to get through the hairpin cleanly. Carl Fenwick and Mark Sayers are third. Not sure who the second place duo is just yet. The names of the sidecar rider teams just aren't as familiar. Dave Hurst and Ben Bins are sixth. Molyneux and Farrance are closing up. They are the second place team. The passengers in the sidecar really have to be on their game in these races. It's a tag team effort.
The team of Conrad Harrison and Lee Patterson are running up at the sharp end as Ian and Carl Bell negotiate the bumps in the road. The sidecars do fly over the jumps, and they do have some aerodynamic downforce to help them out. Sidecar #1 has a tank slapper! It's Dave Molyneux and Patrick Farrance! The Fennig/Sayers duo is still holding third down solidly. In fourth, it's... Michael Dunlop! Yes. He's running in sidecars. This is his first race running a sidecar. Dunlop is riding with Dan Sayle who is very experienced in sidecars.
The Bell's are stretching their lead. The passenger is in a vulnerable spot, and must keep shifting his weight at all times. Please keep arms and legs inside the vehicle? Not here. This is no amusement park fun ride. Right behind Dunlop and Sayle, it's Dave Atkinson and Phil Natin right behind. Jim Noble and Shawn Chandler follow. Behind them, it's John and Jake Lautha. The gap between second and third is starting to spread out. Dunlop is being hounded by Atkinson right now. Atkinson still wants by Dunlop. The amount of road space a sidecar cycle takes up is pretty amazing. They are very wide vehicles.
Molyneux is getting closer to the Bells. Tony Thurkel and Nigel Barlow riding on sidecar #5 are having a good race. The gap between first and second has not changed. Dunlop is really being pursued by Atkinson now. Atkinson takes the sidecar almost onto the grass! There is no room to make a pass! Molyneux is closing up on the Bell's, too. Atkinson goes off the road! He and his team mate are pushed aside by the Dunlop sidecar! Conrad Harrison goes by, too! Atkinson runs wide another time. They've actually crashed! Both riders are fine. But, there's shrapnel on the road.
The race is red flagged. The Bell's win it, with the race ending slightly early. Here are the results.
1. #3 Bell/Bell Yamaha
2. #1 Molyneux/Farrance Kawasaki
3. #7 Fenwick/Sayers Honda
4. #2 Harrison/Patterson Honda
5. #11 Dunlop/Sayle Honda
Next, day two action of the Gold Cup. More intense racing, coming your way.
Bruce Anstey is making the most of coming back to Scarborough, and of course, he returns after an absence of nearly a decade. The weather could provide a challenge for the second day of racing. This is the second leg of the David Jeffries Cup for 600cc Supersport bikes.
At the start, Dean Harrison, presumably, takes an early lead. It's difficult to tell with all these bikes crowded together through the first hairpin. Harrison is first, followed by Anstey. Guy Martin runs third. Martin is beginning to pass everyone. Could he be on a charge to the front in the 600 race? We'll see. Michael Pearson currently runs fourth. Dean Harrison is right up behind Martin now. He's looking to pass, but can't quite do it through the tight corners. This race is eight laps, and will fly by as the 600cc bikes are going all out at top speed.
Guy Martin is too quick on the throttle, and nearly pays for it. He stay on the bike, but it could have been an ugly incident. Riders must not take too many chances in these races. The road circuits are very unforgiving. Pearson easily passes Anstey on the inside line. William Dunlop ran well in leg one. But, he's languishing now, in the second race for the 600s. Bruce Anstey could be slowing down. Harrison is still up the sharp end as the bikes buck and jump over the rolling undulations on the back part of the course.
It's still Martin vs. Harrison over Sheene's Rise. Harrison is pushing. This is a cat and mouse game on high powered two wheeled machines. Ian Lougher is going well. Harrison passes in the hairpin, and Martin really fudges the corner, stopping the bike! Martin cannot re-fire the engine. Michael Pearson goes by as Martin does get the engine fired up on his Suzuki. He won't repeat wins in this big race.
So, the order is Harrison, Michael Pearson, and Ian Lougher, the top three. Michael Dunlop passes bike #15 ridden by Daniel Freer. Guy Martin retires. The problem with his bike is terminal. The battle is on between Lougher and Pearson. William Dunlop is also on a charge. He's caught up with this pack. Lougher has been criticized as being too old to remain in this sport. But, he knows how to ride a 600. So, don't count him out. William Dunlop rides ahead of bike #52, James Cownton.
Lougher and Dunlop gang up on Pearson, looking to pass him, fair and square. Lougher is now second. Ivan Lintin (a name who has been mentioned several times), is also running, contently in this race, lower down the order, slightly. Now, turn up the heat to a boil. There's a three way battle for position! It's Lougher, Dunlop and others, being passed by their competitors! Lintin and Lougher, lead this pack. Dunlop wants by Pearson. Rider Tom Robinson ditches his bike on an uphill section, but he'll be OK. Dean Harrison will cruise to the checkers.
Can Ian Lougher still pass the three riders he's been in battle with for the whole race? Lougher passes William Dunlop, but he's having trouble making it stick. No dice. On aggregate results, Dean Harrison wins
The David Jeffries Cup!
#38 Dean Harrison Yamaha
The next race is a combined one for 250cc bikes and classic bikes. Two stroke bikes are not as common. But, they still have their fans. This is the Lee Pullan 250 & Classic race. It too, is in the second half.
At the start, Phil Harvey gets the jump and leaves William Dunlop in the dust! The vintage bikes are right with the more modern machines. The two stroke bikes are very temperamental as far as how the motors are set up. Dunlop carves his way through the field, but it won't be enough to compete with the leaders. Phil Harvey and Paul Owen are going to the be two scrapping for the win in this one, it appears. Owen is being hounded by bike #73 ridden by Justin Waring. Harvey continues to lead. The hairpin is tricky, because the only way a 250cc bike works, going around that corner, is if the rider slips the clutch and intentionally stalls the motor for a millisecond.
Can William Dunlop catch up? Meanwhile, in the classic race, it's #46, John Jones on his 350cc Honda, in front. There's a specific type of Castrol motor oil used in the old bikes, that if you're a spectator who has seen the races, you'd well know. Yours truly, and many readers, probably just have to imagine that. Dunlop is reeling in Justin Waring. The only way to get around the tricky hairpin turn on a 250 is by slipping the clutch. Phil Harvey is checking out. Justin Waring is being reeled in by William Dunlop. Dunlop is back on form now, so, there was no mechanical issue with his motorcycle. Dunlop passes. His next target, is Paul Owen.
Dunlop is speeding up. Will he pass Owen through the hilly section? Not quite. Down the straight to complete another lap, Dunlop is pushing. He finally gets by Paul Owen, going back into the first turn. Owen was taken by surprise. The classic division has a new leader. It's bike #105 of Gary Jamison on his Honda 350. The gap has closed tremendously between Dunlop and Harvey. Gary Jamison is being pursued by bike #66 in the classic division. Meanwhile, in 250s, Dunlop gets the lead back.
Ed Hanley Jr. is Gary Jamison's pursuer for the classic title. There's no stopping Dunlop, but Harvey isn't finished yet either. The Jamison/Manley Jr. tussle heats up, too. Halfway home. This race is scheduled for eight laps. Four are complete. Jamison is gapping Hanley as well. John Jones has appeared to race with Jamison and Manley, too. So, the classic bike battle is not over by any stretch, folks. Dunlop is cruising, easing away from Paul Owen. Justin Waring passes Paul Owen for second. William Dunlop is beginning to lap the classic bikes now.
John Jones tries going for the lead in the Classics, but can't get there. Jones passes Gary Jamison. William Dunlop wins the 250cc/Classic event going away.
250cc
#6 William Dunlop Honda
Classic
#46 John Jones Matchless
Next race, the 125cc and 400cc bikes in their second appearance. It is a combination of those two classes in one race.
Chris Palmer won the first leg of the 125cc race. Seamus Elliott and Sam Wilson were second and third in the first part of the race action. James Cownton won leg one for the 400cc machines. A combined result decides the overall outcome of the races. The race will be six laps, and for the 125cc bikes, the race is the Stu Reed Trophy.
At the start, James Cowton leads away from the rest of the pack. The bikes negotiate the first corner fine, and make their way uphill. Cowton already is opening a lead. Cowton is riding a Honda RVF400 which is a legendary bike in the category. The 125cc bikes are very popular, but they are bound to go extinct at some point. A rider has his hand in the air, signaling trouble. It's Tony Flinton. Something is awry with his bike. Chris Palmer now leads on his 125. Palmer wants to win the second leg of this race. So, he has to beat Seamus Elliott and Sam Wilson.
Daniel Freer and Gavin Lupton battle for position. Six laps is a long way for these riders. Who could be lurking to steal one of these 125 rider's thunder? It's Ian Lougher, who does well on any bike he rides. Seamus Elliott retires from the race, and so does another bike, (the #37 machine of Tony Flinton). Palmer is making the 125 fly and Ian Lougher's 400 just lifts it's front wheel. Palmer and Lougher run 1-2. Seamus Elliott is third. He's coming, fast. Sarah Boys is the only female rider in this race. But, she is running well. Meanwhile, Palmer will now have to fend off Lougher's challenge.
Seamus Elliott is balked by a 400cc bike. For some reason, the 400s are not as reliable as the little 125s. Gavin Lockton and James Cowton continue their dust up for third. Tony Limer is running decently on his 400, (bike #76). Lougher tried to get around Palmer. But, no dice. The leaders negotiate a lapped rider. That is Bob Farrington on bike #42. Lockton and Cownton continue to follow one another. Rather, it is bike #9 ahead of bike #52. Sarah Boys is up to seventh place. Lougher passes Palmer for the lead.
Justin Waring is about to be lapped by the lead duo. Lougher gets around Palmer one more time. Chris Palmer wins it. He has his fist in the air before crossing the finish line! He knew he'd won that race.
125cc
#50 Chris Palmer Honda
400cc
#9 Gavin Lupton Honda
Cowton wins on aggregate based on both races.
#52 James Cowton Honda
One more race at Scarborough. One more chance to go three wheelin'. It's the sidecars in their third race of the weekend.
Dave Molyneux and Patrick Farrance have the advantage over Ian and Carl Bell going into the last race. Dave Molyneux starts the race with a hole shot! But, Ian and Carl Bell immediately race into the lead. Michael Dunlop runs third. Carl Fennig and Mark Sayers come next. Tony Thurkel and Nigel Barlow are next in line. Molyneux and Farrance are trying to get away from the Bells. Ian and Carl want the lead. Into Sheene's Rise, up the hill, nothing changes.
Jim Noble and his passenger are chasing John Chandler. It Molyneux/Farrance vs. Bell/Bell. The two sidecar cycles touch! The Bell's are forced wide onto the berm! Contact is not an unknown in sidecar racing competition. Molyneux and Farrance have a decent lead. If the result stands, Molyneux and Farrance will be number one on the aggregate leader board. Meanwhile, Ian and Carl Bell are going to retire from this race. Their season is over.
Tony Thirkell is being challenged by Conrad Harrison and Lee Patterson. Sometimes sidecars can go side by side. But get three into one corner? Not a chance. Michael Dunlop is still second with Carl Fennig and Mark Sayers in third. Harrison/Patterson are not giving up. Harrison makes a pass and holds on. Carl Fenwick smokes the brakes on his sidecar, aggressively charging through a turn. Molyneux and Farrance are going to win this race. Dunlop and Sayle are holding off their competitor. Conrad Harrison is pulling away from Tony Thirkell and Nigel Barlow.
Fennig and Sayers are right on top of Dunlop and Sayle, headed for the finish. This is the last lap. Dave Molyneux continues in the lead. Molyneux is in the clear, but, Dunlop and Harrison seem to be in a battle over who will get second and third. Jim Noble is also in a tussle of his own. Carl Fenwick tries taking second from Michael Dunlop. Fenwick smokes the brakes and Dunlop goes right back by. Molyneux and Farrens are the winners!
Dunlop and Sayle do get second place.
Here's the top five:
1. #1 Molyneux/Farrance Kawasaki
2. #11 Dunlop/Sayle Honda
3. #7 Fenwick/Sayers Honda
4. #2 Harrison/Patterson Honda
5. #5 Thirkell/Barlow Honda
The race from Scarborough, and most of the season for the Bike Road Racers is now done. One race left. It's at the Macau Grand Prix. Those results will come in another blog post, soon. Stay tuned.
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