By Thinking back to the 2015 Spring Cup National Road Races at Oliver’s Mount, Scarborough, the first thoughts in my mind alongside the freezing weather were surrounding BMW’s maiden success at North Yorkshire’s ‘Mini TT’ in the 2010’s.
Before the two day meet, it was announced that eight times Steve Henshaw International Gold Cup winner Guy Martin would be competing on the factory TAS Racing run Tyco BMW (in Superstock trim).
11 times Ulster GP victor Martin who featured on the official souvenir race guide, alongside his autograph kept a low profile in the Scarborough paddock, residing in his own designated area.
Once race action got underway, the TV personality, multi times world record breaker showed all of his renowned Scarborough prowess.
The opening Spring Cup A final race began with Ryan Farquhar getting the hole shot, as Martin slotted into third behind East Coast Racing’s Lee Johnston.
Come the completion of lap one, Martin was up to second and by lap two was steadily increasing pressure on seven times Duke Road Race Rankings Champion Farquhar.
Martin would hit the front on lap three and by lap four enjoyed a two and half seconds advantage over triple TT winner Farquhar.
Yet another 1000cc success at the Mount was completed in style on the fifth and final lap, as the fans favourite took the honours by just over three seconds.
Runner-up behind Dean Harrison within the opening Senior race, Martin’s quest to secure a third successive Spring Cup crown was made more tricky with inclement wet weather embarking upon Scarborough, for the second day of race action at the UK’s first real roads event of 2015.
The second Spring Cup A final encounter would see the late great Daley Mathison take race honours, whilst Martin aboard the ultra powerful S1000RR BMW battled his way to fourth, which proved just enough to take overall Spring Cup victory ahead of future two times Lightweight TT winner Ivan Lintin.
Martin’s Spring Cup success remains BMW’s last major triumph at England’s only active real roads course and given that their doesn’t seem much chance of 1000cc machines returning to Scarborough for the foreseeable future, this could prove the case for a long, long time.
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
