It is only 4 weeks to go

Got to wonder if the two strokes will beat the 400's again :rolleyes:
or will the diesels get their act together and get revenge for being humbled by a ring-a-ding in 2006

Looks like Paul Ellerker is going to be one of the favourites on the 400's
mean time Alan Armour is back on his RGV to defend his crown.

Paul really came on tune at the end of last season and pushed Alan and Dave Allsop (FZR400) right down to the wire. The championship not being decided until the last race of the season and what a race it was.

Plenty of 400's on the grid with DP regulars Paul Battersby, Russell Bates and last years novice champion Matthew Brown out to see if this is going to be their year.

Mean time the two strokes are fighting back - spurred on bay Alan Armour's success there is some tasty kit being prepared.

Former club F400 runner up Dan Williams is back - but this time on an NSR250 rather than his trusty VFR400. Though Dan's will be the only 250 Honda at Croft we are expecting more to join later in the season including a full on F3 kitted machine (similar to those run in the Japanese championship) entered by the members of the NSR forum.

Andy Whitley (former Aprilia cup winner and GP wild card) put in an appearance at Cadwell on his 'prilia 250 and is expected at a few rounds this year.

There is a healthy prize fund this year for the 400's, currently at £800, with the series being supported by Grip and Rip and a supporter of the 400's.
The F250 as usual have there prize fund as well which stands at £750 with this years sponsors so far being Corset Angel and The Tuning Works.

As they say you got to be in it to win it. If not come along and support the riders - not many championships where you will see so many different types of machines competing on an even footing two stroke and four stroke ZXR, FZR, CBR, VFR, GSXR, NSR, RGV, TZR, KR

Really keen to come along and watch some of the action this year, Mark. Croft's a bit too much of a hike for me I'm afraid, but do you have a link to the full season's schedule?

Cheers

Wb

I don't think we will make that one either. Andy is out in Thailand soon and I'm back out there again a week or so after he gets back.

The bike is all ready for it though now... less tyres
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If I have to take the carbs off once more...

It is shaping up to be a good season. Meetings are listed on the DP site

http://www.derby-phoenix.co.uk/events.cfm

The two stroke field is going to be pretty strong and I suspect that they will again give the 400's a run for their money.

Alan Armour must be favourite, Dan William's is going to be up there if he can get his NSR up to pace, Ross Searle on his 'prilia if he has got a little more speed out of it this year will be up there. Steve Pond VJ22 is doing the series but not Croft and he easily beat Alan at the NG meet at Donny. Steve Saint can never be discounted if he gets his bike to stay together. I will be there or there abouts once it warms up. Just need to get Andy Whitley and Nick Chadwick back on their 'prilias and we will have a top rate line up. On top of that lot you have the NSR forum entries

I think the 400 prize fund will be split £500, £200 £100. Not sure what the F250 fund will finally be but as if a 250 wins the F400 the total fund could be almost a £1000. Not a huge amount given the cost of racing but certainly worth a few currries

Still two weeks to go and the grid is looking healthy

There are 15 two strokes and 18 Diesels

7 RGV
3 RS250
2 KR
1 NSR
plus 2 'Prilia RS125

After a few fallow years RGV's are back with a bang (oops didn't mean to say that )

Hope it all holds together and the weather is favourable. This weekends meeting just gone, was cancelled on Sunday because of high wind and snow showers

Diesel grid looks strong and I have heard that Paul Ellerker is going for it this season.

Dan Williams on the NSR is going to be a man to watch. Former F400 runner up he knows how to race - but just how good is the NSR going to be

My write up for the Croft programme

Croft 31March & 1 April 2007

Derby Phoenix’s F400/F250 championship looks set for another thrilling season. With last years championship providing really tight racing right down to the championship deciding, nail biting, last race of the season - this season looks as if will be even better.

Last years leading protagonists, reigning F400 and F250 champion Alan Armour on his RGV VJ23 and ZXR mounted Paul Ellerker, are back for the season opener here at Croft and it looks as if these two will be continuing their battles where they left off last year. With two stroke mounted Alan Armour winning the title last season will the four strokes led by Paul Ellerker get their revenge this year.

With what is arguably the strongest F400/F250 grid in the country there are plenty who will be looking to spoil these two’s party. Last years novice champion Matt Brown (ZXR) and novice runner up Ross Searle (Aprilia RS250) will be hoping to get a look in at the front. Another former novice to look out for is Faye Whittaker (ZXR), Faye surprised many towards the end of last season with her speed particularly in the wet race at Oulton. Also keep an eye open for FZR mounted newcomers, brothers Robert and Daniel Mack and young Scott Mills (KR1S). Scott comes for the same stable as Dan Hegarty and Ben Phillips and will be hoping to follow them and race at national level.

In contrast to the new young riders in the series we have some old hands coming back to the F400/F250 class. Former F400 runner up Dan Williams is back after a couple of seasons campaigning a 600. Dan used to ride a VFR400 but has traded that in for a Honda NSR250 – he will also be out in the Open 400 on a GP250 - if the Honda is sorted definitely a man to keep an eye on. Another man making a come back is Dean Dickinson (FZR). Unlike Dan who has gone from four stroke to two stroke, Dean who used to race an Aprilia RS250 and TZ250 has moved to four strokes.

There is such depth in the F400/F250 grid it is going to be difficult to call a winner, apart from those already mentioned Derby Phoenix regulars Chris Smith, Paul Battersby, Chris Waters and Russell Bates (all ZXR), Mark Jordan (KR1R), Iain McDonald and Richard Gordon (RS250) are all capable of springing a surprise.

Mention must be made about the popularity of the series, reflected in the overall F400/F250 grids, and in particular of the F250. With 15 two strokes mixing it with 18 four strokes and more expected in later rounds, the series is attracting competitors from all corners of the United Kingdom - riders coming from England, Scotland, Wales and the Isle of Man.

Typical - you do your write up for the programme and then more enter
line up with one week to go - three spaces left

24 STEPHEN CHURCHYARD NORTHWICH KAWASAKI ZXR 400
29 DAN WILLIAMS SUTTON COLDFIELD HONDA NSR 250
53 CHRIS WATERS LOUTH KAWASAKI ZXR 400
41 RUSS BATES DONCASTER KAWASAKI ZXR 400
37 PAUL ELLERKER EASINGWOLD KAWASAKI ZXR 400
52 ROSS SEARLE AYLESBURY APRILIA RS 250
132 FAYE WHITTAKER NORTHAMPTON KAWASAKI ZXR 400
66 RICK OWEN LINCOLN KAWASAKI ZXR 400
75 ANDREW CARDEN WEST BRIDGFORD HONDA VFR 400
85 DINO BRADY MORECAMBE SUZUKI RGV 250 N
87 ANTHONY BURKE DERBY HONDA VFR 400 N
86 CHRIS SMITH FILLONGLEY KAWASAKI ZXR 400
95 MATTHEW GRAVES LINCOLN SUZUKI RGV 250 N
4 ALAN ARMOUR HUMBERSTON SUZUKI RGV 250
109 MARK BAMFORD PEEL I.O.M SUZUKI RGV 250
96 MARK JORDAN STOCKTON KAWASAKI KR1S 250
103 PAUL BATTERSBY NORTHAMPTON KAWASAKI ZXR 400
76 MATT BROWN WOLVERHAMPTON KAWASAKI ZXR 400
117 RICHARD GORDON YORK APRILIA RS 250
93 BRENDAN MEANY WAKEFIELD SUZUKI RGV 250 N
140 ROBERT MACK BARNSLEY YAMAHA FZR 400 N
141 DANIEL MACK BARNSLEY YAMAHA FZR 400
39 IAIN McDONALD EASTKILBRIDE APRILIA RS 250
400 DEAN DICKINSON Sc***HORPE YAMAHA FZR 400
146 PAUL TEASDALE HEDDON ON THE WALL KAWASAKI ZXR 400 N
153 ADAM LARKIN LYDIATE BMC HONDA 400
158 DAVID BARKER DRONFIELD SUZUKI RGV 250
171 SANDY ROBERTSON FIFE SUZUKI RGV 250
110 SCOTT MILLS NOTTINGHAM KAWASAKI KR1S 250 N
161 CHRISTOPHER BRAY BOSTON KAWASAKI ZXR 400 N
170 BILLY SMITH DOUGLAS IOM YAMAHA FZR 400
172 LIAM ABBOTT IRONVILLE APRILIA RS 250
173 PHILLIP ATKIN JACKSDALE APRILIA RS 250 N
175 DAVID ALSOP ASHINGTON KAWASAKI ZXR 400
176 THOMAS FISHER NOTTINGHAM HONDA VFR 400 N
162 ZAK LINES SOUTH HUMBERSTONE APRILIA RS 125 N
163 JOSHUA KNAPP LEICESTER APRILIA RS 125 N

only one NSR?
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MC21 300R w/SE bits, Rossi 2001
MC28SE Silhouette Repsol

The forum racer wont be seen untill both Andy and myself are back from Thailand. We are at the dynoing stage now so pretty much ready to race.

I think Roy's NSR is close to being ready as well.
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If I have to take the carbs off once more...

Fontyyy's is ready to rip too, but I don't think he will be ready to do a meet until the NSR-WORLD Racer is either!
_________________
Andy.
NSR-WORLD.COM

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Twas cold up at Croft. Dan rode some cracking races on his RS250 the NSR well erm.... needs a bit more development

Yeah it seems Dan is struggling with his NSR. Ours will be out once I get back from Thailand though and the fun will start.
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If I have to take the carbs off once more...

Andy wrote:Fontyyy's is ready to rip too, but I don't think he will be ready to do a meet until the NSR-WORLD Racer is either!

My entry is in for Mallory the Sunday after I get back, no track days since last year, best guess setup, total race virgin....
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Please do not PM me technical questions, if you can't find it on the Forum start a thread

Best you come down and borrow the F3 then, least you stand a chance on the home streight with that
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If I have to take the carbs off once more...

Hell Fontyyy, I would quote that in a reply before Steve realises what he's said and deletes the post!!
_________________
Andy.
NSR-WORLD.COM

Please keep all responses to Forum posts on the Forum so that others may benefit.

Please DO NOT PM me for technical advice. My time is precious, and you will probably receive a faster response on the Forum anyway.

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