Martin aims to make it four
in a row at Oliver’s Mount
AIM Racing Yamaha rider Guy Martin hopes to create
a little bit of history this weekend at Oliver’s
Mount, Scarborough and become only the second man ever
to have won the title four years in succession. Fresh
from his UGP four-timer, Martin could match the achievements
of Geoff Duke who took the title between 1953 and 1956
and goes into the meeting as the clear favourite. The
man most likely to challenge him is the evergreen Ian
Lougher who hopes to have the Stobart Honda at his disposal
and the Welshman is guaranteed to press Martin all the
way.
Despite the absence of Ian Hutchinson and John McGuinness,
who are on BSB duty at Silverstone, a strong line-up
will take to the grid and other riders likely to feature
at Oliver’s Mount in both the Gold Cup and the
two Superbike Races include TAS Suzuki’s Ryan
Farquhar and Adrian Archibald, newcomer Martin Finnegan,
Ian Armstrong, Mark Parrett, David Bell (who returns
from injury after his TT crash), Dwyer Agnew, Davy Morgan,
Mark Buckley and Paul Hunt
Man to Watch – Guy Martin
600cc battle set to thrill the crowds
The 600cc class always provides some of the closest
racing around the 2.43-mile woodland circuit and with
the prestigious David Jefferies Trophy up the grabs,
more of the same is promised this weekend. Guy Martin
is again the man they all have to beat but will find
it tougher here with Ian Lougher, Ryan Farquhar, Adrian
Archibald and Chris Palmer all more than capable of
getting onto the podium. Martin Finnegan will be hoping
to make an impression here as well whilst Ian Armstrong,
Mark Parrett, Mick Goodings, Mark Buckley, Dwyer Agnew,
Davy Morgan, Victor Gilmore, Paul Hunt and Phil Harvey
are all capable of getting into the top six.
The races also see the appearance of William and Michael
Dunlop with MGP hero Craig Atkinson also lining up on
his own 600cc Honda. One rider worth keeping an eye
on is Marc Ramsbotham who gets better with each and
every Scarborough outing and who also impressed upon
his UGP debut a month ago.
Man to Watch – Ian Lougher
Lougher and Palmer set to continue two-stroke
rivalry
Ian Lougher and Chris Palmer always go head to head
in the 250cc class and this weekend will be no exception
as the duo fight for the Phil Mellor and Lee Pullan
Trophies although the tragic loss of Darran Lindsay
will certainly take some of the edge out of the race.
The Lisburn rider made a triumphant return to Scarborough
earlier this year and he will be certainly missed at
Oliver’s Mount, as he will be all over.
The famous Dunlop family have a strong presence in
the 250cc race with both William and Michael lining
up on their 250cc Honda’s with fellow countrymen
Trevor Keys, Davy Morgan, Victor Gilmore, David Guiney
and Ian Morrell adding strength to the field. The best
of the rest should include Paul Newton, who has enjoyed
an excellent season on the Irish roads, Sandy Dranfield,
Kevin Strowger and Chris Barratt.
The lack of Lougher in the 125cc class is offset by
the welcome return to Scarborough of Robert Dunlop and
after the season he has had, more wins are a definite
possibility. Sons William and Michael will have something
to say about that though never mind Palmer, whilst other
riders to feature include Tony Flinton, Peter Wakefield,
Karl Hennigan, Sean Leonard and Ray Hutchinson.
Man to Watch – Michael Dunlop
Connole hopes for a clean sweep in F2 Sidecars
One of the unique features of Scarborough is the sight
of the F2 Sidecars tearing up and down the hillside
and the dominant partnership this season has been Nigel
Connole and Jamie Winn, who have taken all the race
victories so far. Stiff competition is guaranteed this
weekend with Simon Peary now back on track following
his TT spill and with Craig Hallam in the chair, he
poses a mighty threat. Tony Elmer and Darren Marshall
are previous race winners here and again are back to
full fitness after the TT whilst Tony Thirkell and Roy
King are always in the hunt for the race wins.
Other pairings in contention include Greg Lambert/Rick
Long, Conrad Harrison/Lee Patterson, Mick Harvey/Fiona
Baker Milligan, Ben and Luke Beckworth, Dan Clark/Joe
Shardlow and Douglas Wright/Dipash Chauhan, who impressed
at the Southern 100 earlier this year.
Men to Watch – Simon Neary/Craig Hallam
Goodings set to dominate 400cc class
Usually run alongside the 125cc class, the 400’s
get their own races this weekend and if past form is
anything to go on, Mick Goodings should take two comfortable
wins. There is a strong line-up though with UGP winner
Mark Parrett the man most likely to challenge whilst
other riders on the grid include Trevor Keys, Ross Johnson,
Rodger Wibberley, Alistair Haworth, Christopher Dean,
David Taylor, Cathal Whelan and Gary Jamison.
Man to Watch – Mark Parrett
The meeting is also significant as it signals the
60th anniversary of the Yorkshire venue and numerous
parades of former legends will take place including
the likes of Giacomo Agostini, James Whitham, Roger
Marshall, Mick Grant, Phillip McCallen, Tony Rutter,
Dean Ashton, Jim Moodie, Charlie Williams, Derek Chatterton
and Allan McDonald.
Race Information
The 2006 Steve Henshaw International Gold
Cup – Oliver’s Mount, Scarborough
Saturday 16th September – Practice
from 9.00am, Racing 11.30am
1. 600cc David Jefferies Trophy – Heat 1
2. 600cc David Jefferies Trophy – Heat 2
3. Superbike – Heat 1
4. 125cc Stu Reed Trophy – 1st Leg
5. Superbike – Heat 2
6. National F2 Sidecars – 1st Leg
7. Superbike – 1st Leg
8. 250cc Phil Mellor Trophy
9. 600cc David Jefferies Trophy – 1st Leg
10. 125cc Stu Reed Trophy – 2nd Leg
11. National 400cc – 1st Leg
Sunday 17th September – Practice
from 9.00am, Racing 10.30am
1. Superbike – 2nd Leg
2. National F2 Sidecars – 2nd Leg
3. National 400cc – 2nd Leg
4. 125cc Stu Reed Trophy – 3rd Leg
5. 600cc David Jefferies Trophy – 2nd Leg
6. 250cc Lee Pullan Trophy
7. National F2 Sidecars – 3rd Leg
8. Steve Henshaw International Gold Cup
9. 175cc-1300cc B Final |
