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 strong possibility that there will be a new name implemented onto the Gold Cup this week.
For many the strong, firm favourite for Gold Cup honours is the in-form Lee Johnston. Eight Times International Road Race victor Johnston who recently triumphed at the Goodwood Revival meeting, has enjoyed a fine season on roads and circuits with the East Yorkshire based Ashcourt Racing squad.
Set to pilot this weekend, the Ashcourt Racing YZF R6 Yamaha, which he took to a brace of 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 challenger to Johnston at the Barry Sheene Classic, Spada supported Mike Norbury is in my opinion a strong contender for rostrum finishes, as are fellow talented next generation roads exponents Brad Vicars (VRS Racing), Joe Akroyd, Mark ‘Percy’ Goodings, twice Senior Manx GP runner-up Stephen Parsons and 2016 Senior Manx GP winner Tom Weeden.
Others to keep an eye on include York’s Joe Thompson (Trickbits Road Racing), David ‘Action’ Jackson and making a welcome return to Scarborough, roads action, 2014 TT Privateers Championship runner-up Russ Mountford.
Further depth to the entry is provided by seasoned Scarborough specialists such as Brian Greenfield, Ultra Lightweight Manx GP runner-up Rad Hughes, Stephen Degnan, ‘Tommy Club’ member Dan Ingham, Adrian Harrison and local favourite Paul Marley.
Popular Welsh competitor Justin Collins, Don Gilbert, KY-JAX Racing’s Ben Shuttlewood, Julian Tillotson, Richard Telford, Bishop Castle’s Barry Furber, last year’s Newcomers B Manx GP winner Michael Rees are additional confirmed entrants as is Shepley’s Rodger Wibberley.
For the affable Wibberley, the 68th Gold Cup meeting will mark not only his final race outing at Oliver’s Mount, it will also mark his last ever pure road racing stint.
Scarborough debutants hoping to follow established event specialists Wibberley in becoming accomplished, high calibre exponents of England’s sole real roads course include Driffield’s Dan Harrison, James Rothery, Newcomers A Manx GP rostrum finisher Alun Brooks and Ulster GP Super Twins victor Paul Jordan.
Jordan who will be piloting his own teams YZF R6 Yamaha, progress around the tight, twisty, illustrious Scarborough course, will be monitored closely by various road racing aficionados.
Overall an excellent all-round entry for the middleweight class encounters of the 68th Scarborough Gold Cup, which could also include a multiple TT winner!
Words by Stevie Rial
