Pearson’s Scarborough success elevates his Duke Rankings standing

Northern Ireland’s Michael Pearson became only the second Ulsterman to claim the coveted Cock o’ the North Trophy at Scarborough, the12th round counting towards the Duke Rankings – a season-long championship covering all the top races on pure road courses.

Pearson also took both legs of the superbike races and two second places in the 600cc supersport events.

However, it was the ‘Welsh Wizard’ Ian Lougher who was ‘Master of the Mount’ over the weekend, taking his win tally on the Oliver’s Mount road course to 124 after double race wins in three classes, Supersport 600cc, Lightweight 250cc, and Ultra-Lightweight 125cc.

His six wins over the two-day meeting also elevates him to third place in the Duke Rankings, up six places from ninth but the biggest mover this week is Pearson climbing 16 positions from 23rd to seventh.

Daniel Frear who was the initial Rankings leader after the opening round at the North Yorkshire course moved into 11th position an advance of 15 places.

With the loss of the Walderstown Road Races due to tragic circumstances, the Duke Rankings attention now focuses on the Steam Packet Southern 100 International Road Races, followed at the weekend by both Jurby South Road Races (also on the Isle of Man), and the Kells International Road Races in County Meath, Southern Ireland.

Current standings:
1 Ryan Farquhar, 2551
2 Michael Dunlop, 1237
3 Ian Lougher, 794
4 Keith Amor , 733
5 William Dunlop, 731
6 John Burrows, 710
7 Michael Pearson, 541
8 Steve Plater, 540
9 Chris Palmer, 531
10 Olie Linsdell, 528
11 Daniel Frear, 467
12 Richard Gibson, 447