Local Motocross riders again put Furness well and truly on the map with some impressive results on the Fat Cats track near Doncaster last weekend during the third round of the prestigious Bridgestone Masters Championships.

The series always attracts the country`s top riders and last weekend was no exception.

The sandy surface of the Doncaster venue doesn’t suit many of the competitors but it certainly didn’t faze the Furness duo of Greg Fisher and Jamie Keith, although they did admit it was ‘hard work.’

Fisher came away from the previous round on the Wroxton track near Oxford with a commanding lead in the Clubmans class and fully intended to stay ahead in last weekend’s round.

Approximately 40 riders in each category contested four races per class over the two days.

Greg got off to a great start on the Saturday with a second place his first race before he won the second one.

Sunday, however, nearly ended in disaster for the Dalton rider, as in his first race of the day Greg and his machine went cartwheeling down the track after a rare rider error.

Undaunted, he remounted in 28th place and with some even harder riding clawed his way back through the pack to cross the line in fourth, collecting valuable championship points.

There were no mistakes in his last race, though, as he won that one to increase his lead in the championship with two more rounds to go. The next one is at Whitby in July and the final one at Hawkstone Park in August.

While Greg was racing with the adults, Askam schoolboy Keith, fresh from his success at Haverigg last week, was contesting the Junior 65cc events.

They too compete in four events over the weekend. Still on top form, he just missed winning his opening race by a mere 1.02 seconds He followed that up with a fifth.

The following day in race three, Jamie gained his first British National win, crossing the line a good five seconds clear of his nearest rival. His impressive results gave him second place overall in the class.

Near neighbour Finley Pickering contested the same event too and did well to finish in the top half of the field on what most described as a difficult track.

Meanwhile further north, former road racer Mike Walker from Barrow was giving his 450cc twin shock Maico an outing at the Twin Shock Scramble at Milburn, near Penrith.

Admittedly being a bit rusty, he still took fourth place in one of his early races before an engine oil seal cried enough. Fortunately, he’d taken his 1956 250cc DOT along too so he completed his days racing on that in the smaller classes.

*The 2019 rally scene is certainly in full swing, with MAG Group members and many other local motorcycle enthusiasts have been supporting similar events around the country these last few weekends.

Their own Dead End Rally at Dalton United football ground is now fully booked. This year’s event, which runs from July 12-14, reached its 200 limit last week, so sorry lads if you have not already booked in. You`ll have to miss out this time.

Further up the coast the other ‘big one’ the Iron Ore Rally at Egremont rugby ground is definitely going ahead. The club have been waiting for the OK, as the rugby club have dug drainage gullies in the camping areas.

However, last Friday they were given the go-ahead, so put the dates in your diary for August 2, 3 and 4. I’ll update you as I get more information.

*The next Bikers Breakfast meeting at Torver Village Hall is on Sunday and is always a popular gathering for local motorcyclists.

A good old English breakfast is provided for visiting motorcyclists (picture by Avril Sykes) from 9:30am until 11:30am, following a short service in the nearby St Lukes Church.

Although the meal is free, donations to church funds are obviously welcomed. Contact Linda on 01539 441777 or Jim on 07436 116343 for details.

After a hearty breakfast, why not return via the Rusland Valley and watch the trials lads in action.

The Barrow & District Motorcycle Club are holding a multiclass trial starting from Ickenthwaite at 11am. If you do go along, please be considerate with your parking as space is limited.

Next Thursday is the next Bike Night at Bridge House Farm tea rooms near Wray, Lancaster, from 6pm onwards. TT legend John Mc Guinness lives nearby and often pops along for a brew.

*Ulverston drag bike racer Dave ‘Rocket’ Peters saw the 2019 ACU Funny Bike Drag racing championship frustratingly slip away from his grasp last weekend.

He was contesting the latest round of this years’ championship on the quarter-mile Santa Pod dragstrip near Northampton.

Despite meticulous preparations, things can still go wrong. At the end of his first run, the big Suzuki dropped a valve and wrecked the engine. A replacement engine blew the head gasket.

Undeterred, his crew of Tom Biles, ably assisted by his girlfriend Sharon, worked through the night to get Dave to the line for Sunday’s eliminating rounds.

Alas it was not to be either, as the blast plate blew out during that run. Fortunately, the bike did not catch fire as it has done previously.

Let’s hope they can get things sorted for the next round there in eight weeks’ time.