With no karts racing at Darley Moor Round 6, all races were increased in length to 10 laps (from the usual 8 laps). This appeared to entice back some previous class runners as Ross Richards and reigning class champion Brad Vicars were in attendance at this meeting. With the weather being dry but windy, we took the opportunity to fit some new Brembo brake pads (SC compound rather than the existing HH compound) and bed them in during the qualifying sessions.
Photo by Graham Mallen
A good run during the Formula Darley qualifying session secured us with 2nd position on the Formula Darley grid. The Sound Of Thunder qualifying session was red flagged early due to an oil spill but we managed to obtain 7th position on the Sound Of Thunder grid (3rd in class).
Photo by Graham Mallen
In Formula Darley Race 1, we managed to get a good start and held 2nd position into the chicane, before Brad Vicars passed us on the first lap and put us back to 3rd. We managed to loosely hold onto the lead battle, then when Ross Richards pulled out of the race with a flat front tyre, we did our best to cling onto race leader Brad Vicars until we made a couple of mistakes on the last lap. We crossed the finishing line in 2nd place, 3.29 seconds behind Brad.
Photo by Graham Mallen
Mini Sound Of Thunder Race 1 was up next. After another good start we settled into 3rd place from early on in the race. We managed to hold onto the battling duo of Brad Vicars and Ross Richards for a few laps but once we became involved in a battle with Triumph 675 Sound Of Thunder racers Jamie Horner, Mark Scott and Michael Gloster we decided to settle for our 3rd place finish.
Photo by Graham Mallen
After the lunch break was Formula Darley Race 2. Off the line we got another good start but upshifting from 1st to 2nd gear we caught neutral, which put us back into 5th position at the first chicane. After moving up to 3rd position by passing Stephen Taylor and Kaine Sheriff, Ross Richards pulled out of the race at the end of the main straight, promoting us to 2nd position. We pushed hard to chase down race leader Brad Vicars - and set a new personal best lap time of 1'01.91 in the process - but we couldn't close the gap and crossed the line to take 2nd place.
Photo by Graham Mallen
The final race of the day was Mini Sound Of Thunder Race 2. Another good start placed us 2nd in class going into the first chicane, but a quick-learning Kaine Sheriff prompted a good battle for 2nd position that went on for a few laps - before we overshot on the brakes attempting to make a pass at the end of the main straight. From there we had a lonely ride to a 3rd place finish.
Photo by Graham Mallen
With only two rounds left and a maximum of 54 championship points available (in each championship), we now lead the Formula Darley championship by 48 points and lead the Mini Sound Of Thunder championship by 40 points.
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Round 7 of the Darley Moor championships takes place on Sunday 4th September. But before then, we have our next race meeting at Brands GP for BEMSEE Thunderbikes Round 7 on 20th/21st August.
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