Daley Mathison at the Gold Cup

It was in at the deep end for 21-year-old Murton road racer Daley Mathison last weekend having sat out the majority of the 2012 season due to financial restrictions he was aiming to end the year on a high and build up to a strong season of international racing in 2013.

The two day meeting is the biggest event held at the closed public roads circuit around Olivers Mount in Scarborough and attracts many of the world’s top road racing stars, including 19 times TT winner John McGuinness, Suzuki star Guy Martin, New Zealander Bruce Anstey, veteran Ian Lougher and the next generation in the Dunlop dynasty as Scarborough regulars William and Michael compete again.

Daley would use the meeting to familiarize himself with his new 1000cc Honda Fireblade plus get even more track time on his recently rebuilt and updated Honda RS125.

Things didn’t go to plan though and the small bikes engine seized during first practice after just two full laps of the track. So it was packed away leaving just the new Fireblade in the awning.

Running on track with the world’s top racers didn’t daunt young Daley as he just let the faster riders go ahead while he just set about learning the characteristics of his new machine.

The race over just six laps was won by the vastly experienced road racer Davy Morgan, Daley having moved into second place in the race followed the Irish rider for the initial laps but having built up a massive lead over the third place rider he decided to settle for a safe second place on his bikes’ debut.

On a high from the previous day his new found speed and confidence was apparent as he finished the short first practice session in tenth position overall just behind Multiple TT winner Bruce Anstey in ninth and was relishing his next track slot.

All was going well again but road racing is a cruel sport, a simple mistake hitting a false neutral in one of the fast sections of the course gave him no option but to lay the bike down.

Daley was immediately back up on his feet but the bike wasn’t so lucky. Back down in the paddock the damage although not extensive was enough to put a halt on the rest of the event.

The bike will be rebuilt in readiness for the teams’ next outing at the Stars at Darley meeting in Ashbourne, Derbyshire on October 6/7 were Daley will again be taking on some top UK riders.

2013 will hopefully be a great year with the possibility of competing at the Isle of Man the main aim for the team, helping to fund these events isn’t cheap so we are always looking for help at many different levels.

Daley will again be running his Supporters Club. For a small fee each member will receive goodies including signed photos, keyring and t-shirt, although corporate sponsorship packages are always available and can be tailored to individual needs and budgets.

Please contact the team at ddmracing@hotmail.co.uk and check out our website daleymathison@wordpress.com.