The 2008 British Desmo-Due Championship from the Ducati Sporting Club, hosted by New Era MCC reaches it's midpoint at Brands Hatch.
The championship is divided into two classes, with class A being for fuel injected 620cc bikes and class B for normal aspirated 600cc bikes. Both classes are limited in there modification and use a control tyre, making the racing close and competitive on small budgets.
Class A, is being led by some impressive race wins by former British Superbike rider Ian Cobby #14 on 231 pointa. Cobby has not had it his own way, with Mike Dawson of MD racing #63 close behind on 209 points and being the only other rider to secure race wins so far this year. The championship could have been even closer if Dawson had not made a mistake on the closing laps at a rain drenched race at Assen to hand Cobby the race win. It looks like the championship will go down to the wire a both rides push the limits of the bikes. The rest of the field are close behind with Richard Fogg #211 on 170 point and former champion Dominic Cann #23 on 162 points looking for race wins in the second half of the championship. Reigning class B champion Andy Sheppard is in fifth place showing good results as he gets to grips with his new bike and can not be counted out just yet.
Class B has been extremely close with Matt Trayner #86 and Dominic Clegg #4 sharing race wins. Trayner recently took the lead in the championship when Clegg had a big fall during qualifying for Pembery and was unable to take part in the two races of the day. The racing so far has been extremely close between Trayner and Clegg as the swap the lead at each race and at each corner as nether rider wants to give an inch. Trayner is on 220 points followed by Harriet Ridley #114 on 176 points with consistent results showing the boys how it’s done. Clegg is third on 165 points, closely followed by Kevin Palmer #3 showing promise after his first podium at Assen. Tony Perrin #12 of G-one racing and Andy Challis #75, any rider is capable of a race win. The championship is set to go down to the wire at the last race at Cadwell Park.
Both championships are extremely close considering there are 35 points for a race win 30 for second 26 for third, 24 for forth, 21 for fifth and so on. It also has to be noted that each rider can drop there two worst results of the season that brings the championship extremely close. This is good news for riders who have had falls or mechanical failures.
The championship moves on to Brands Hatch for the next two races of the season where Dawson will be looking for home win as chasing riders try to upset the form book and reel in Cobby’s lead.
Meanwhile in class B Clegg will be wanting to make up for the disappointment of the last round as Trayner will want to consolidate his lead as the other battle to close the gap.
Expect close racing as Brands Hatch as the championship starts it second half and every point counts.
