The real road racing season got underway at Olver’s Mount. Scarborough at the weekend and it was Joey Thompson who was the toast of Yorkshire as he took a hard-fought victory in the feature Bob Smith Spring Cup race.

Riding the Seventy Four Racing Yamaha, the York rider came out on top by 0.374s after a race long battle with Rob Hodson (SMT Racing/Vehicle Recovery Services Yamaha). There was little to choose between the two riders throughout the eight laps around the demanding 2.43-mile woodland circuit but after taking the lead just after half race distance, Thompson was able to keep Hodson at bay. 

Fancied runner James Hind (Bass Tyre Services Yamaha) retired on the third lap, and it was Dominic Herbertson who claimed third on the Cowton Racing Kawasaki after seeing off the challenge of Gary McCoy (Mad Bros Kawasaki). Andy Smart crossed the line in fifth but was penalised ten seconds for overtaking under yellow flags and so it was Don Gilbert and Tom Weeden who completed the top six.

Herbertson took both 600cc ‘A’ races, defeating Thompson by a comfortable 13s on Saturday and McCoy by 7s on Sunday whilst Hodson won the first of Saturday's 600cc ‘B’ races after problems in qualifying. Josh Leaning won both ‘B’ races on Sunday.

The Supertwins races went the way of Hodson (SMT Racing/KH Commercials Kawasaki) but whilst Saturday’s victory over Rhys Hardisty (Gas Assessment Training Centre Kawasaki) was a comfortable 7.9s, it was a closer affair on Sunday with McCoy, third the previous day, only 1.1s adrift.

Thompson claimed two narrow victories over record Scarborough race winner Ian Lougher in Saturday’s Lightweight races before Lougher had an easier win in Sunday’s race, his winning margin over Hardisty more than ten seconds. Meanwhile, Tom Weeden (two wins) and David Bell (one win) shared the spoils in the Classic Superbike encounters.

Lee Crawford/Jake Lowther (Team ARC Suzuki) dominated the F2 Sidecar races with three wins as Steve and Matty Ramsden (Ramsden Racing Honda) finished second on each occasion. Isle of Man TT legends Dave Molyneux/Dan Sayle finished third in each race on their 890cc DMR KTM.