By I’ll start this article, firstly be saying well done to the ever-hard-working organisers at Oliver’s Mount.
The effort, work that goes into maintaining racing at England’s only closed roads venue is immense.
You can’t stop negative comments at times on social media but what you realise (as witnessed today) is the genuine, genuine people in thousands attending the Mount.
Those with big gobs on them, posting snide comments, what good is this doing for the future of pure road racing.
Anyway, enough of me getting on my high-horse, time to reflect on a super day’s racing at Scarborough.
The first of Saturday’s eight race stints was for Supersport B exponents. Emerging on top after a dominant performance was Scarborough newcomer, Parker Transport Racing’s Josh Corner.
Corner, formerly of the British Supersport scene, finished a shade over seven seconds ahead of fellow debutant, Johnny Stewart.
The following re-started BDS Motorcycles Supersport (A) race, saw pole-sitter Michael Browne, SMT Racing’s Rob Hodson embroiled in a tantalising scrap.
Ultimately post the eighth, final lap it was Boyce Precision Engineering/Russell Racing Yamaha pilot Browne taking the victory spoils, with just over 0.6 of a second covering the Cork rider and ‘130 Mph Club’ member Hodson.
Hodson would finish one place better in the opening MAG ITV Classic Superbike, JMS Group Super Twins races, following entertaining battles with respective race runner-up’s Mike Norbury, Marcus ‘Spartacus’ Simpson, long term Twins race leader Joe Yeardsley and Gary McCoy.
Manx Grand Prix podium finisher Stuart Hall, making his return to Scarborough, first time in over twenty years! Stormed to overall Road Racing News Lightweights race success.
Ian Stanford, Sidecar TT legend Dan Sayle completed the top three in terms of two-stroke 250cc pilots whilst top of the CB 500, 125/Moto 3, Supersport 400 fields were Grant Whitaker, Tony Flinton and Stephen Gorton.
Lee Crawford/Scott Hardie showed their mastery in the Stuart Whitehead F2 Sidecars race, finishing close to 8.3 seconds ahead of top chasers, fellow regular Scarborough front-runners, the Ramsdens Steve & Matty.
Michael Allen edged Brian Fuidge (Royal Navy Royal Marines Road Race Team) for 243 Road Racing Association, Support race honours whilst the day’s final race, the second Supersport (A) race would be Scarborough victory No.4, back-to-back middleweight class wins for twice Manx Grand Prix winner Michael Browne.
Twice winner today, already showcased 44-plate carrier Rob Hodson placed second, 11.571 seconds in arrears.
Gold Cup rostrum finisher from last September, Madbros Racing’s Gary McCoy banked third as the prior mentioned trio of Norbury, Yeardsley, Simpson wrapped up the top six.
Roll on day two of an already thrilling 2024 Bob Smith Spring Cup.
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
