By Multi times a top six finisher at July’s Barry Sheene Classic, a top 15 finisher at the 68th Scarborough Gold Cup, up coming ‘Mount’ exponent Ben Long is the next racer to take part in Road Racing News acclaimed Oliver’s Mount Top 8 series.
8th, 9th within the second, third Park Challenge encounters from the Aberdare Park Road Races of 2018, his answers to the Scarborough themed set of questions are as follows:
Q1: First memory of Oliver’s Mount?
“Not long after I passed my road bike test in 2005. It was a ride out with friends on a borrowed blade.”
Q2: Favourite part about racing at the mount?
“It’s the setting. There’s Something about it being under the trees on the mount side near the sea that I love. It’s just different.”
Q3: Favourite section of Scarborough course?
“I’m a relative newcomer really so I’m still learning but at the moment I’d say the climb from Mere to the Memorial is my favourite.”
Q4: Best moment thus far at Scarborough?
“The first time I actually got to ride a race bike round there was pretty special. I’d been waiting for a long time to do it. Watching at Oliver’s Mount is what made me want to start racing in the first place.”
Q5: All time Scarborough racing hero?
“It’s got to be Dean (Harrison). He will be winning there for many more years to come I reckon. Just brilliant to watch. I wish I was a second behind him.”
Q6: Is there one machine in particular that you would like to race at Scarborough?
“I used to have an Aprilia SXV Supermoto and loved it! A full grid of Supermoto’s would be a blast.”
Q7: One word to describe Oliver’s Mount?
“Damp”
Q8: Most respected racing rival at Scarborough?
“I haven’t been racing there long enough to establish any real rivals yet but I respect anyone I race against. Especially at Scarborough.”
Words by Stevie Rial
