By the time race action began on schedule at 2:00 PM, the intermediate, heavy rain in the morning at Scarborough was replaced by much brighter weather, which 100 ten percent formed a crucial role for the top class, high quality standard of this afternoon’s two, three wheeled competition.
Kicking proceedings off this afternoon was the opening Supersport B race, which saw former Gold Cup B final victor Julian Tillotson of Horwich, power to victory, finishing 3.371 seconds clear of BE Racing In Conjunction with Richardson Kelly Racing’s Tom Weeden.
Oliver’s Mount newcomer, Ulster GP Super Twins Champion Paul Jordan wrapped up the top three finishers as race pole sitter, improving Manx GP exponent Andrew Fisher finished a more than respectable fourth.
Reflecting on today’s sole Super Twins encounter, fans around Scarborough’s ‘Mini TT’ were treated to an absolute cracker of a race, ultimately won by none other than event legend Ian Lougher.
Lougher who has triumphed on over 130 occasions at Oliver’s Mount, latest Scarborough success saw him call upon all of his considerable experience to just edge out Cowton Racing’s Dominic Herbertson, by only 0.224 of a second with third place finisher, Kramer mounted Joe Thompson just a further 0.230 behind Herbertson.
Goole’s Phil Harvey reigned supreme within the 125/Moto 3/250/400 combined field, triumphing by almost 27 seconds whilst the opening Classic Superbike race would see fellow respected ‘Mount’ specialist Dave Bell take the honours in equally dominant fashion.
Piloting the proven Graham Turnbull Racing OW01 Yamaha, Bell triumphed by 12.556 seconds over an on top form Lee Johnston, who made up no less than 17 places to finish second.
John Lowther/Tom Christie were declared race winners in a twice red flagged Sidecars race, leading Conrad Harrison/Andy Winkle within the second start of the race by just over 2.4 seconds, before the red flags again unfortunately entered the horizon.
Final race action from day 1 of the 68th Scarborough Gold Cup, saw Justin ‘Weeman’ Collins secure a popular Supersport C victory, which was made all the more creditable, prodigious, tumultuous given the fact that the Welshman started the race from the back of the grid.
Despite this obvious handicap, the seasoned Manx GP, TT Races competitor quickly powered his way through the field, overhauling long term race leader Ian Stanford on lap five, going onto emerge victorious by well in excess of ten seconds.
Words by Stevie Rial