By Moto GP World Champion’s, World Superbike/Supersport winners, a Formula 1 World Champion, TT legends, TV stars, world record holders are amongst the glittering array of competitors to have won the coveted Steve Henshaw International Scarborough Gold Cup.
One of the trophies that pretty much all International Road Racers would love within their trophy cabinet, there’s a prominent possibility that there will be a new name implemented onto the Gold Cup next week.
For many the strong, firm favourite for Gold Cup honours is reigning Gold Cup Champion Lee Johnston.
Nine Times International Road Race victor Johnston who recently took a brace of British Supersport podium finishes at Snetterton, improving Oliver’s Mount victories tally currently stands at 11.
Set to pilot next weekend, the Ashcourt Racing YZF R6 Yamaha, which he took to four successive victories at July’s Barry Sheene Classic, it’s going to take performances of the absolute highest quality from his fellow competitors to stop him banking feature Supersport, Gold Cup victories.
Nearest challengers to Johnston at the Barry Sheene Classic, DC Racing’s Mike Norbury, Cowton Racing’s Dominic Herbertson, Peoples Bike Team supported Joe Akroyd all cannot be discounted from contending for honours.
Team ILR with Mark Coverdale’s James Hind, leading Scarborough debutant last month, is widely tipped to also be in the mix for first rate results.
Added ones to watch include British Supersport GP2 competitor York’s Joe Thompson, VRS Racing’s Brad Vicars, Rob Hodson (Dafabet Devitt Racing), Sam Johnson, Kingston Upon Hull’s Callum Ward, 2018 Newcomers A Manx GP runner-up Steven Haddow.
Don Gilbert, Doncaster’s Mark Goodings, Barry Furber, Julian Tillotson, Michael Rees, local favourite Paul Marley, Scarborough racing stalwart Keith Pringle plus a certain Dean Harrison is on the Supersport entry list!
Harrison’s middleweight class challenge sees him return to the RC Express Racing (Dafabet Devitt Racing) fold, piloting a ZX6R Kawasaki for the outfit with which he has enjoyed Lightweight TT success.
Further depth to the entry is provided by competitors that include ‘Tommy Club’ Manx GP member Steven Procter, Adrian Harrison, Kevin Barsby, Tom Robinson, Justin Collins, Gaz Evans.
Photo by Gary Howlett
Welshman Justin Collins, Russell Brook, Oliver’s Mount, Scarborough newcomers from last month, Aran Sadler, Tom Gigg and Ricky Martin, Oliver Dean, Craig Robertson (Cusworth Motorsport by CMR Performance) and ‘Mini TT’ returnee, Southern 100 winner, rising Manx GP exponent Jack Fowler.
Overall an excellent all-round entry for the middleweight class encounters of the 69th Scarborough Gold Cup, roll on the racing!
Words by Stevie Rial
