Four victories and new circuit record for Harley

In round four of the Classic Racing Motorcycle Club (CRMC) championship races, the 23 year old from Ingleton claimed four victories, a circuit lap record and a healthy haul of points.

With the recent heat wave continuing, temperatures were scorching all weekend.

Conditions on track were perfect for racing but it was difficult for Harley to keep cool off it but an exhausting weekend paid off with some great results.

Qualifying went well for the youngster with front row starts in all classes as Harley got to grips quickly with the circuit.

Saturday then took a turn for the worse with a retirement of the Craven Manx in race one of the weekend.

Harley had to then use his Craven Honda 350 to compete in the 350 class of the ACU 500 race.

After a conservative race for Rushton he completed the 12 lap race to finish first in class.

The second ACU race of the weekend was the ACU Post Classic and Harley was in action riding the Craven Yamaha TZ 350 again after his performances on the machine last month.

Harley rode a hard 12 laps, fighting for the last place on the podium towards the end of the race.

It was a strong result for Harley in what was his first-time racing in the Post Classic ACU race, just losing out to the faster bikes on the straight as he settled for fourth 
place.

Harley also competed in the 350cc post classic club races on the Craven TZ.

Starting last on the grid in 34th position due to no qualifying on the bike, Harley fought through the field of bikes to work his way up to third place before a last corner overtake on Joe Barton secured him a second place finish.

However, an electrical problem meant Harley had to retire from the start of the second club race.

After a conservative ACU race aboard the Craven Honda he was ready for some competitive 350 twin club races.

On Saturday, Harley was placed second in the first 350cc club race after pushing Alan Oversby all the way to the finish.

The second race saw a did not start (DNS) from Oversby, leaving Harley to fend of Richard Molnar for a 350cc race victory to end Saturday with.

The first 350cc twin race on Sunday saw Oversby back in action with Harley chasing him again the whole race, attempting a couple of overtakes.

None were successful until an overtake at the start of the final lap gave Harley the opportunity to take the lead and hold it to the finish line.

The second race of the day saw Harley shoot into the lead at turn one where he pulled out a gap on Oversby every lap.

Harley controlled the race, lowering the lap record every time around, knocking nearly two seconds off the previous 350 twins lap record.

Setting a time of 1:05.199, Harley took his fourth and final victory of the weekend.

Darley Moor proved heated both on and off track as Harley explains.

“The temperature made the day exhausting but with the team helping get all the bikes prepared as I concentrated on keeping cool and hydrated.

“Yeah, it was a struggle to keep cool all day, but I can’t complain because the warm and dry conditions were great to race in.

“I had contested some strong races over the weekend.

“Getting a second place and nearly making the podium in the ACU Post Classic races was mega for my first time racing the TZ 350 Yamaha with the Classic Club.

“Having three race wins, the ACU 350 class win and getting the lap record on the Craven Honda by nearly two seconds was great to come away with after the disaster of Saturday morning.

“The Norton will be back together and ready for the Donington Classic Festival at the start of August from the 3rd to the 5th.

“Major credit to Ted, Jon and my dad not only for the work across the weekend but also the work they put in between races to get the bikes ready to go again.”