After all of the issues in the previous meeting we were hoping for a trouble-free event at the penultimate Darley Moor weekend, but it wasn't to be...
To resolve the brake issues we decided to do a complete overhaul of the braking systems - and had all three calipers sent away to Powerhouse to be rebuilt, bought some new Brembo HPK front discs and Z04 pads (along with some new EBC sintered rear pads) and gave the entire system a boatload of care and attention.
To resolve the brake issues we decided to do a complete overhaul of the braking systems - and had all three calipers sent away to Powerhouse to be rebuilt, bought some new Brembo HPK front discs and Z04 pads (along with some new EBC sintered rear pads) and gave the entire system a boatload of care and attention.
 Looking lovely with new parts fitted |  She's a looker... |
We didn't want a repeat of the poor qualifying like we experienced at the last round, but with only a 12-minute qualifying session to bed the brakes in and then set a time, timings were tight - so we proactively made a plan using AI... Out into qualifying and on lap four the front brakes were starting to feel "normal" - but we could feel something weird on the rear so had to quickly return to the paddock. Arriving back to our setup we found that the rear master cylinder rod was adjusted slightly too long and was applying slight pressure to the rear brake, causing it to heat up and eventually drag. We quickly resolved that and headed back to the circuit, where we found the session had been red-flagged due to a crash. After a short delay they cancelled the session, so we ended up exactly where we didn't want to be - 11th on the Darley Cup grid and 9th on the Twins grid after setting a 1'06.48 lap time. It was going to be another difficult day...
Prior to the Twins qualifying we had gone out in the Open 600 qualifying session and (once up to speed after a few laps) posted a 1:00.68 time that was good enough for 4th on the grid. Ben Luxton (who is a multiple Stars at Darley podium finisher) had a guest appearance and took the pole with a 56.91 lap.
Our first race of the day was the Open 600 Race 1. Typically we have run 15-47 sprockets, but for this race we made a change to a 15-48 setup to see whether we could gain any extra acceleration out of the slower corners. From the start we got a couple of mini-wheelies and slotted into 5th place, before moving up to 4th position on lap 4 where we stayed until the flag, setting a best lap time of 59.29 on our way. The shortened gearing was hitting the soft-limiter towards the back esses in 5th gear so we believed it was losing us time, so we made another gearing change before the second Open 600 race.
Prior to the Twins qualifying we had gone out in the Open 600 qualifying session and (once up to speed after a few laps) posted a 1:00.68 time that was good enough for 4th on the grid. Ben Luxton (who is a multiple Stars at Darley podium finisher) had a guest appearance and took the pole with a 56.91 lap.
Our first race of the day was the Open 600 Race 1. Typically we have run 15-47 sprockets, but for this race we made a change to a 15-48 setup to see whether we could gain any extra acceleration out of the slower corners. From the start we got a couple of mini-wheelies and slotted into 5th place, before moving up to 4th position on lap 4 where we stayed until the flag, setting a best lap time of 59.29 on our way. The shortened gearing was hitting the soft-limiter towards the back esses in 5th gear so we believed it was losing us time, so we made another gearing change before the second Open 600 race.
Supertwin Race 1 was next up for us. Again, prior to the meeting we had decided to try a different gearing setting of 16-44 (compared to our usual 16-43). A poor start saw us end the opening lap 9th on track before working our way through the pack to 4th position by the end of lap 4. From there we had clear air and were the 2nd-fastest rider on track. We set a best lap of 1:00.75 and finished in 4th position.
Photo by Ian Kinnear
There was only a couple of races before Darley Cup Race 1, but it was long enough for us to switch our gearing back to 16-43 which is our preferred option. We got a decent launch but got boxed in at the chicane and ran across the exit kerbs. Once again we made our way through the pack whilst having a close race with Martyn Cooper (which makes for a good onboard video). At the end of the race we finished 4th in class, just 0.28 of a second behind Martyn in 3rd.
Photo by Johns Sports Photography
For Open 600 Race 2 we made a big change and went from 15-48 to 15-45 gearing, in the hope that it would allow us to carry 3rd gear through the Wilson chicane. This gearing was recommended to us by Richard Cooper a few years ago - and he's no slouch, so we thought we'd give it another shot. We got a crap start but managed to regain a couple of places before Park corner. On lap 3 we managed an "around the outside" move at Townleys - which put us a bit closer to the grass that we'd like - then used the remaining laps to focus on the gearing changes.
The 15-45 meant that we could carry 3rd through the Wilson chicane, but still needed to upshift to 4th before braking for Park. For the final two laps we reverted to 4th gear through the chicane and found it a lot more comfortable, eventually setting a best lap time of 58.71 which we're happy with. Initial drive on the 15-45 out of Park corner feels sluggish, so I think we'll try 15-46 at the Stars meeting. At the end of the 8-lap race we finished in 4th, but as Ben Luxton decided to opt out of points and trophies we were awarded the 3rd-placed points and trophies for the Open 600 races :-)
The 15-45 meant that we could carry 3rd through the Wilson chicane, but still needed to upshift to 4th before braking for Park. For the final two laps we reverted to 4th gear through the chicane and found it a lot more comfortable, eventually setting a best lap time of 58.71 which we're happy with. Initial drive on the 15-45 out of Park corner feels sluggish, so I think we'll try 15-46 at the Stars meeting. At the end of the 8-lap race we finished in 4th, but as Ben Luxton decided to opt out of points and trophies we were awarded the 3rd-placed points and trophies for the Open 600 races :-)
 Photo by Graham Mallen |  Photo by Graham Mallen |
Our final race of the day would turn out to be Supertwin Race 2. Unfortunately the GoPro battery ran out so there is no video available. We got a better start in this race, finishing the opening lap in 6th position and were up to 4th position by the end of lap 2 - 5.51 seconds behind the battling duo in 2nd and 3rd position. By the end of lap 6 we had set a best lap time of 1:00.34 and reduced the gap to 2.25 seconds and still closing. Then on the Pope straight on lap 7 an oil pressure alert was shown on the dash, so we immediately retired from the race - and our day was over.
 Photo by Graham Mallen |  An example of the message we saw |
Upon returning to Two Daves Racing HQ we found that the oil pressure relief valve had unscrewed itself. Despite the engine not appearing to have suffered much damage (based on preliminary checks) everyone who has experienced that same issue in the past has said that the engine probably won’t last too much longer... So we are looking into options for the final round of the Darley Moor championships.
That is NOT where it is supposed to live!
With some bad luck behind us, we collected our trophies and then headed home for takeaway pizza whilst watching MotoGP from Austria and British Superbikes from Assen.
Taking the positives from the weekend
At the end of the 2024 season we announced our "retirement from championship competition" but we have somehow found ourselves being dragged back into some potentially-decent end-of-year results. It's been almost two years since we have announced any championship standings - but here is where we currently sit in the various classes...
700cc Supertwins
David Carson 123
Russell Dodds 100
Paul Evans 93
Darley Cup
Jonathan Trezins 165 (already crowned champion)
David Carson 89
Martyn Cooper 86
Open 600
Ricky Tarren 177
Benjamin Dale 119
David Carson 98
Peter Fell 53
We only have one event remaining this year - Darley Moor Rounds 7 & 8 (including the "Stars at Darley" races) on Saturday-Sunday 10th-11th October. As always, we'll let you know how we get on...
700cc Supertwins
David Carson 123
Russell Dodds 100
Paul Evans 93
Darley Cup
Jonathan Trezins 165 (already crowned champion)
David Carson 89
Martyn Cooper 86
Open 600
Ricky Tarren 177
Benjamin Dale 119
David Carson 98
Peter Fell 53
We only have one event remaining this year - Darley Moor Rounds 7 & 8 (including the "Stars at Darley" races) on Saturday-Sunday 10th-11th October. As always, we'll let you know how we get on...
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