By Very few racers gel uber swiftly with the tight, twisty, unique 2.43 miles long Oliver’s Mount, Scarborough circuit.
Seven times Northwest 200 winner Richard Cooper is a different case though.
Right from Saturday’s practice sessions, one could tell the Nottingham rider looked already adept around North Yorkshire’s real roads nirvana.
Before becoming the fastest circuit debutant of this decade, clinching four race wins, six top three finishes, Bob Smith Spring Cup feature race victory, Road Racing News was able to gain his perspectives on racing at Scarborough, something he first wanted to do in 2023.
“I was going to come in 2023, then a last-minute deal with FHO BMW, I would not say put a stop to it, but I had to put a focus to the F900 Cup at that point, so unfortunately that meant cancelling this event.
But back now with a full stable of bikes, the R9 in the next generation Supersport, the Sportbike in the Super Twin class and-also the CB500.”
“I’ve watched a few on-boards, I always watch King of The Roads and watch that stuff and about ten minutes ago I drove in from the hairpin up there, drove down the road and that’s about it, might go for a track walk a little bit later and get a feel for it.”
Keen to return to Scarborough in September for the 80th Anniversary Gold Cup meeting, Cooper stated:
“I think the bigger picture is learn and prepare this weekend, see what we can do, try and win the big one when it comes to the end of the year.”
Cooper’s main event of 2026 beckons soon, the Briggs Equipment Northwest 200 (eighteen days till race week).
After a tumultuous Spring Cup, aside expanding confidence in new Sportbike (Powerslide Suzuki)/Supersport (Boyce Precision Engineering-Russell Racing – R9 Yamaha) equipment, proven NW200 winning prowess, expect him to be sternly in the mix for race wins.
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
