By Dean Harrison reaffirmed his status as an absolute master of Oliver’s Mount, during day one of the 2017 Spring Cup National Road Races.
Beginning his 2017 roads campaign in top class style, he recorded victories in the opening Solo Open A, Senior and Junior A races, producing series of highly accomplished gold star quality display’s aboard the Silicone Engineering Racing Kawasaki’s.
Nearest challenger to Dean in the opening 1000cc encounters of the weekend was Top Gun Racing’s Dan Hegarty, who showed good form on his new ex Conor Cummins Honda Racing Superbike.
Additional riders to enjoy a productive Saturday at Scarborough included Radcliffe’s Racing’s Jamie Coward, Daley Mathison, Mick Goodings, Senior Manx GP winner Tom Weeden, Junior B race winner Adrian Harrison, Owen Graves, Gary Graves, France’s Morgan Govignon and Stephen Degnan.
Lee Johnston reacquainted this weekend with East Coast Racing’s Superstock S1000RR BMW, wrapped up third and fourth place finishes, whilst one of the undoubted stars of today was Yorkshireman Joe Thompson, who won in fine style the opening Junior B and Lightweight races.
Alistair Haworth edged out Nick Anderson by just 0.001 of a second! to secure 400 honours, Lee Crawford/Jake Lowther and Steve Ramsden/Matty Ramsden shared the Sidecar spoils.
Whilst James Cowton made a winning start to his roads season, with a dominant victory in the opening Super Twins encounter which saw Barry Furber power the Greenhous Vauxhall ER6 Kawasaki to an excellent second as Darren Cooper completed the top three finishers.
David Bell lead the way in the Classic Superbike class, sealing race success by in excess of 20 seconds, over nearest pursuer Team York Suzuki backed Peter Boast, Michael Hand in third was a further 14 seconds back.
Newcomers who made striking impressions upon the mount included former Newcomers B Manx GP winner Gary Vines, who finished a very creditable 5th in class and seventh overall in the combined Ultra Lightweight/Lightweight race.
Tomorrow sees a further 11 races scheduled to take place, including the prestigious Bob Smith Spring Cup.
Will Dean Harrison at last claim the coveted Spring Cup title? will Dan Hegarty retain the Spring Cup, or could there be a surprise, we will all know on Sunday afternoon at Oliver’s Mount.
Words by Stevie Rial
