The popular North East Motor Cycle Racing Club Championship gets the 2023 season underway at Croft Circuit near Darlington next weekend (April 1/2) with another capacity field set to battle out the various classes.

Around 120 solos and over 40 sidecars will be in action over a fast and furious weekend as riders aim to blow off the winter cobwebs in style around the full international 2.127-mile circuit.

The meeting will be the only round of the NEMCRC series this year but will incorporate three major trophies with the prestigious Ken Redfern Trophy being awarded for the very last time to the overall winner of the Open class.

Awarded annually in memory of the local legend from nearby Hutton Rudby who was killed in a road accident in 1973, the previous winners include the likes of World Champion Kork Ballington, TV personality Guy Martin and TT aces Joey Dunlop and John McGuinness amongst many other famous names. Ken’s brother Mike, who still competes, along with a number of friends, will present the trophy for a fiftieth and final time.

The winner of the F600 class will lift the historic Laird of Croft Trophy whilst on three wheels, the Mac Hobson Trophy will be awarded meaning the sidecars will be hotly contested throughout the weekend once again.

Leading lights on two wheels include TT winner Dominic Herbertson from Hexham who will face stiff opposition from Ripon’s Manx Grand Prix winner Matt Stephenson. Former BSB racer Joey Thompson from York will be a major threat, as will regular National runner Mark Goodings from Doncaster. Lanchester youngster James Alderson aims to put an injury-hit couple of seasons behind him whilst other local riders aiming to impress are David Bell, Stephen Degnan and Graham Ashbridge.

The opening round of the FSRA F2 Sidecar Championship will be an intense affair with leading crews set to do battle including TT winners Conrad Harrison/Andy Winkle from Bradford along with Pete Founds/Jevan Walmsley and Lincolnshire pairing Gary Horspole/Kenny Cole. However, favourites must be Newton Aycliffe driver Lee Crawford who along with passenger Jake Lowther will be hoping for a decent silverware haul.

There are also classes for GP125, Classics, Post Classics, Lightweight Twins, Pre-injection 600 and Open, Thunderbikes, Formula 400, 400/500 Twins, and Production/Open Super Scooters as well as the usual popular categories for Open Sidecars, 600cc, and Unlimited Open class bikes.

Practice gets underway at 9.30 on Saturday and 12.05 on Sunday with four races per class over the weekend. Adult admission costs £16.00 on both days with accompanied children aged 15 and under admitted FREE on both days. There is also FREE car parking and FREE paddock access.

Race Meeting at Croft

April 1/2 - North East Motorcycle Racing Club Bike Race Meeting
April 15/16 - 750 Motor Club Car Meeting
May 6/7 - British Racing & Sports Car Club Car Meeting
May 20/21 - British Automobile Racing Club Caterham Meeting
June 11/12 - No Limits Motorcycle Race Meeting
June 24/25 - 750 Motor Club Car Meeting
July 8 – Darlington & District Motor Club Car Race Meeting
July 29/30 - Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship Meeting
August 12/13 - British Automobile Racing Club Car Race Meeting
September 2/3 - Historic Sports Car Club Race Meeting
September 16/17 - British Racing & Sports Car Club Race Meeting
September 30/October 1 - Classic Motorcycle Racing Club Bike Race Meeting
October 14 – Classic Sports Car Club Race Meeting

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