By Mechanic, technical official, racer, Cadwell Park specialist Craig Robertson who’s hoping to return to competitive action at Scarborough in 2020, is the next racer to take part in Road Racing News growing in popularity, Oliver’s Mount Top 8 series.
Runner up within the solo non qualifiers race at the Barry Sheene Road Race Festival in 2016, his answers to the Scarborough themed set of questions are as follows:
Q1: First memory of Oliver’s Mount?
“I was still serving in the army, around 2002/2003 me and a few other racing fans amongst the regiment decided to go watch, we did a few laps in the cars.
At that point I knew I wanted to race the circuit at some point. It just took longer than planned!”
Q2: Favourite part about racing at the mount?
“The people. I’ve become good friends with so many of the staff that are now in charge, Shaun in particular has been a rock for me recently & some of my fiercest rivals have become good friends. As is usually the way in racing!”
Q3: Favourite section of Scarborough course?
“Mountside all the way to Mere Hairpin. I’m unusual in that I loved the hairpins, the big ZX7 Kawasaki used to back in all the time!”
Q4: Best moment thus far at Scarborough?
“Finishing on the podium in the open race at the Barry Sheene Festval in 2016, after a bloody amazing race with my good mate Mike Mace, me on the old girl (ZX7 Kawasaki) and him on his Fireblade.”
Q5: All time Scarborough racing hero?
“All of them, but I can single a few out, Guy Martin on his day was unreal, you knew he was untouchable.
Deano (Harrison) is that man now, I had a lap behind him in 2016, he was on his classic TT bike, amazing to see the brake/steering/throttle inputs.
But two lads who became good mates & I always admired who also helped me learn the place and gave me advice, but are sadly no longer with us, Daley Mathison and James Cowton.
Daley was unreal for a true privateer, as was James, who could ride anything round the place! Both should have corners named after them in my honest opinion!”
Q6: Is there one machine in particular that you would like to race at Scarborough?
“A modern big bike. The 400 & 750 were brilliant to do my apprenticeship around the place but I’d love some big bike skids & wheelies!”
Q7: One word to describe Oliver’s Mount?
“Astonishing”
Q8: Most respected racing rival at Scarborough?
“Again, every single one of us that lines up on that grid, but around my level, Gaz Evans and Mike Mace.”
Words by Stevie Rial
