This weekend sees the first real road
race of the 2008 season take place with the Ian Watson
Spring Cup National meeting at Oliver’s Mount,
Scarborough. Despite the clash with the Thruxton BSB
round, which means regular leading lights Guy Martin
and Ian Lougher will be absent, the organizers have
attracted an excellent line up with many of the sport’s
finest competing and there’s a whole host of competitors,
especially from Northern Ireland, looking to get their
name on the trophy.
The man they all have to beat is Ryan Farquhar who
is a welcome returnee to the early season national and
the Killyman rider is a clear favourite for honours.
He lines up on the ZX-10 and ZX-6 Harker Kawasaki’s
as he heads into a new season which he hopes will bring
him the success he tasted in the latter half of 2007.
There are a number of riders queuing up to deny him
though and Farquhar’s strongest challenge could
well come from William Dunlop who really got to grips
with the 1000cc Lilley Suzuki last season, finishing
4th in the International Gold Cup race. The youngster
has a busy day in store and also lines up on his Yamaha
R6 and PJ Flynn’s 250cc Honda whilst he is also
scheduled to have outings in the 125cc class.
As always, Chris Palmer cannot be ruled out of the
equation in any of his races and the Castletown-based
rider also has a busy day in store with outings on his
125 and 250 Mannin Honda’s as well as the Solway
Slate & Tile Yamaha R6. He’ll be the one to
beat in the two stroke class whilst he’ll also
be an extremely strong contender in the 600cc division.
Scottish rider Mark Buckley is yet to secure a big
bike for the season ahead but he will figure prominently
in the Supersport races on his RLR Triumph 675 as will
Welshman Paul Owen who will also be one of the major
players in the 250cc class. David Bell continues on
his Kawasaki Newcastle machines and Keith Pringle, who
has made great strides around the Mount in recent years,
is definitely one to watch on his GSXR Suzuki’s.
Russ Mountford and Ivan Lintin both made their circuit
debuts during the 2007 season and are sure to be even
closer to the front this time around in their respective
races. Dave Hewson was another rider to make a favourable
impression last season and is back for more on his 600cc
and 1000cc Kawasaki’s in preparation for the TT
whilst former Virgin Yamaha R6 competitor Daniel Frear
lines up on his 400cc Honda and 600cc Yamaha.
VRS Performance have Craig Atkinson, Keith Stewart
and Garry Dickinson entered for the meeting with all
three riders taking in the 600cc races on their respective
Honda and Kawasaki mounts. Atkinson also has a CBR1000
Honda at his disposal, Stewart his ZX-10 Kawasaki whilst
Dickinson is set to feature on his 250cc RS Honda.
Despite the closeness of the meeting to the Cookstown
and Tandragee races, there is the usual presence of
Irish riders and riders expected to feature include
Dwyer Agnew, Victor Gilmore, Trevor Keys, David Guiney,
Paul Gartland, Andrew Neill, Keith and Derek Costello,
Herbie Ronan and Stephen McIlvenna. Senior Newcomers
Manx GP winner Andrew Brady also makes his circuit debut
on the T7 Murray Racing Honda’s.
Circuit regulars Mick Goodings, Dave Woolams, Kiaran
Hankin, Phil Harvey, Alan Oversby, Richard Gibson, David
O’Leary, Ross Johnson, Damien Gledhill and Peter
Wakefield are also top six contenders in their respective
classes. Manx riders Stephen Oates and Jules Croft are
also set to tackle the 2.43-mile circuit for the first
time.
Heading the entry list for the F2 Sidecar class is
the dominant force at Oliver’s Mount in 2007 –
Nick Crowe. The current lap record holder returns with
his LCR Honda and with new passenger Mark Cox, he will
be the favourite for honours despite having only just
returned from a broken collarbone. However, a late entry
has been received from current British Champion Simon
Neary and James Winn and the Leeds driver will ensure
that the Manxman doesn’t have it all his own way.
The chairs have two races in total and other crews
chasing glory include Greg Lambert/Sally Wilson, Howard
Baker/Mike Killingsworth, Steve Coombes/Gary Partridge,
David Hirst/Paul Lowther, Brian Alflatt/Michael Speechley
and Gerard Flynn/Mark Salmons. It is also hoped that
Conrad Harrison, Tony Thirkell and Eddy Wright will
be late entries.
Practice gets underway at 8.30am with qualifying from
10.00am and the 1st of 14 races commencing at 12.30pm.
Admission for adults is £15 with accompanied children
15 and under and parking both free.
The bikers village campsite adjacent to the circuit
will be open from 15.00 on 19th April. Cost is £8
per pitch per night and all occupants must be in possession
of a race day ticket which are obtainable at the gate
when purchasing a camping pass.
We would like to wish everyone involved with the meeting
the very best of luck for a safe, and enjoyable, days
racing.
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