Plenty to cheer as stars come out for Darley finale

Despite the poor weather, fans were treated two-days of racing, which saw Richard Cooper claim his sixth Stars at Darley title – which saw him equal the long-standing record set by Brierley Hills Michael Rutter, who was not at the Derbyshire circuit.

The two feature Stars at Darley ten-lappers saw reigning ‘star’ Cooper underline his dominance at Darley Moor with a start to finish victory in the first race.

Isle of TT legend John McGuinness also made his 21st consecutive appearance at the season finale, and he was able to secure two second-placed finishes, having team up with Stuart Hicken to ride a Suzuki for the weekend, behind Cooper.

Closer to home, Willenhall's teenage ace Mcauley Longmore was back in club racing action – having also squeezed in three British Superbike rounds this year, in the British Junior Supersport class – and found himself in sixth place after the first lap, eventually moving into fourth behind James Bull while racing in the Junior class.

With Bull failing to finish the final lap, Longmore inherited third place overall but vitally first in class.

The 15-year-old's haul of 30 points saw him finish the campaign third over all, despite having missed numerous rounds this year due to other commitments.

Mcauley's father, Steve, said: "Mac had a good practice day but we had bike issues we were all working on until 9pm on the Saturday night.

"Sunday morning was wer and when he went out to qualify he crashed Paddock Corner.

"He smashed the left-hand side, mainly damaging the fairing, which meant another surprise visit to Chase Accidents Repairs, in Cannock, and gear bracket but his helmet was also condemned so we had to use the spare.

"He went out in the All Comers class and had to come in after one lap due to the helmet misting up but once that was sorted he went out in the Juniors race and came second (CHECK).

"Mac also went out in Lightweight race and came eighth after having some gear problems.

"Mac has also improved massively in the BSB this year. At Snetterton he was lapped, at Oulton Park he crashed in practice and didn’t qualify but still ended up racing and then at Donnington Park he finished third last but just eight seconds off first place.

"That’s it for this season so now we've got to get the bike ready for BSB next year.

"We're looking for sponsors next year so if any company’s interested in supporting a local lad in juniors please get in touch.

"If there a local tyre company out there that would be willing to help out with next year's cost we would be very grateful."

Wolverhampton's Richard Evans was also pleased to put behind his disasterous end to the East Midlands Racing Association campaign, when he narrowly missed out on a title at Mallory Park, following a positive run out in the Pre-Injection class.

The race was won by Stuart Bradbury who, after finding himself down in 15th place after one lap, battled through the field he finished fifth overall, passing fellow Pre-Injection 600 rider – and former champion – Andrew Lowe, from Stone, on the final lap, to take the title.

Bradbury also collected the Jake Hingly Trophy, in memory of a racer who began his career at Darley Moor in 2012, who lost his life at Cadwell Park in 2014.

Evans was also mix throughout and was pleased to finish third to pick up some much-needed prize money.

He said: "It all went really well. It dry for all of Saturday but then it was wet as an otter’s pocket come race day on Sunday – it really was as wet as it could be," he said.

"Practice before the races on the Sunday was so slippery so I was happy to qualify fourth on the grid, which was third in the Pre Injection 600.

"The race was reduced from 15 to 12 laps, because of all the delays, but I managed to get away with the leading two bikes from the line.

"However, because their bikes were about 10 break-horsepower faster than mine I struggled to stay with them because every time we hit the hairpin they would then just take off.

"It was just the one race and I was really happy to finish in the third in the Pre Injection 600 class, which also doubled up as the Jake Hingley trophy.

"His family added a bit of prize money too, which was really nice of them, so it really helped make up the disaster at Mallory Park.

"I’m still undecided what I’m going to do next year but, as always, it will come down to money."

The Stars at Darley and Club Championship Presentation of Awards and Annual Dinner will take place at the Best Western Moat House Hotel, Stoke on Trent, on February 2.