By April’s Bob Smith Spring Cup (11th-12th April) will boast one of the most-high profile, Scarborough newcomers of recent years, seven times Northwest 200 winner Richard Cooper.
Twice a BSB race winner, the Nottingham rider has in his storied racing career, captured National Superstock 1000 (2011 and 2019), F900R BMW Cup (2023), National Sportbike (2024) titles, taken British Supersport race wins, European Superstock 1000 podium finish at Brno.
Mostly NW200 feats known across roads scene circles, the diminutive rider’s raw speed, adept race craft has also been evident at Nordic Nations top road race Imatranajo (Supersport lap-record holder on debut last year) and the Cemetery Circuit Races in New Zealand (feature race winner in 2019).
For his maiden Oliver’s Mount racing voyage, Cooper pilots R9 Yamaha tackle for 2025 Steve Henshaw Gold Cup winners Russell Racing.
A notorious quick adapter to new circuits, it is an exciting prospect for hardy roads scene fans to see how he will fare around the tight, twisty 2.43 miles long Scarborough course.
Photo credit: Derek Wilson
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
