As the Darley Moor Motorcycle Road Race Championship enters its second half of the season on Sunday 24th July 2011, it appears that several classes have hot favourites to take the title, while others are far from over and will most definitely still be up for grabs as the final round approaches.

Of course those classes that appear to be settled may only be showing the leaders run of good luck, whilst their challengers may have suffered their fair share of misfortune and will be looking to turn the tables on those at the head of the table.

With the standings as they are at the moment local competitors are destined to be amongst some of the champions at the end of the season, but others are facing tough battles ahead to get their fair share of the points haul and be in with a chance as the final round approaches at the beginning of October.

Anthony Porter (Chesterfield) is leading both the Formula Darley and Mini Sound of Thunder classes by a healthy margin.

His Formula Darley challengers are Chris Spooner (Stoke on Trent) and Gary Dangerfield (Stonnall), 36 and 38 points behind and looking for a change in fortune. Dangerfield is also his nearest rival in the Mini Sound of Thunder class, by a smaller margin of 26 points, with Alex Woodhouse (Chesterfield) a further 15 points back in 3rd place.

The Sound of Thunder class sees a battle between Jamie Medhurst (Long Eaton) and James Ford (High Peak) that will also go down to the last round, separated by just 9 points it only needs a small error from Medhurst for Ford to benefit and turn the tables.

Chris Spooner heads the table in the Lightweight class, but does not have the luxury of a ‘cushion’, just 2 points ahead of Rob Hodson (Wigan) in 2nd, Ben Godfrey (Long Eaton) another point back and Matt Zscheische (Stoke on Trent) 4th, 15 points behind, this class is far from settled.

Another local rider with interests in two classes is Jon Skelson (Leicester), currently leading the Pre Injection 600 class by just 8 points from Gavin Salt (Leek) he will be trying to extend his lead in this class on Sunday. Although Skelson finds himself in the chasing pack for the Pre 98’s (up to 1300cc) trying to close a 17 point gap on Kev Cooper (Burton on Trent), with Gavin Heath (Leek) and Kevin Parker (Burton on Trent) trying to gain the 2nd place from him. In the Pre 98’s (up to 500cc) class Wez Pearce (Derby) holds an 8 point advantage over his nearest rival.

Ricky Tarren (Tamworth) will be hoping to regain his championship lead in the GP125 class, currently in 3rd place, just 5 points adrift from the leader, another class that can be expected to be decided at the final round.

After failing to score points at the last round the Open Sidecar duo of Roger Golling and Rob Dean (Stafford) are 9 points away from the head of the table and in 2nd place.

The FII Sidecar class is led by Roy Hanks/Julie Hanks-Elliott (Birmingham) who hold a comfortable 25 point lead. The Peak Cup and Open Solo races will definitely be a tough battle to predict, Shane Pearson (Derby) is in an identical position in both championships, currently in 2nd place, 12 points behind Wigan’s Jim Hodson, the forthcoming battles will certainly keep the spectators in their favoured places.

For Hodson, the tables are turned in the Formula 600 class, he needs to close a 10 point deficit on Richard Wardle (Stoke on Trent). At the last round Wardle took victory in the first encounter, but after being separated by less than 0.5sec for seven of the eight laps, they both failed to finish the final lap of their second race. Sparks will be flying!! As usual there will also be four-wheeled action with two races for the Long Circuit Racing Kart Club competitors.

As always Practice begins at 10.00 AM with the first race expected at 11.30 AM. Entrance admission Adults £11.00, Senior Citizens £6.00, kids under 16 free, parking & paddock transfer free, with Programmes £3.00. Food is available throughout both days at the ‘Darley Diner’. For further information please log onto the Club’s website www.darleymoor.co.uk where you can also listen to Live commentary direct from the meeting if you cannot attend.