Gold Cup bid for York sidecar team (From Gazette & Herald)

Gold Cup bid for York sidecar team

10:08am Thursday 13th September 2012 in Sport

YORK-BASED Team BHR are bidding for sidecar glory at this weekend’s Steve Henshaw International Gold Cup Races at Oliver’s Mount in Scarborough.

Rider David Hirst and passenger Benjamin Binns will be representing the team, managed by York’s Tim Langham and backed by Minster city-based distribution and logistics company YDL.

The Gold Cup races will be staged on Saturday and Sunday, with Hirst and Binns going up against an abundance of world, British and TT champions.

The Team BHR pair recently secured fifth and seventh placings at the International Southern 100 Races on the Isle of Man, and are looking to build on this success at the outfit’s local circuit.

It will be the first time that Isle of Man-based Binns, 24, has tackled the 2.43-mile parkland circuit in Scarborough, but 43-year-old Hirst, of Dewsbury, has been a regular podium visitor over the last decade.

Campaigning their 600 Shelbourne Honda outfit, Hirst and Binns will face stiff competition from TT stars Dave Molyneux and Patrick Farrance and British Championship leaders Ian and Carl Bell, plus Conrad Harrison and Lee Patterson, young protégés Carl Fenwick and Mark Sayers, and Thirsk’s Tony Thirkell and Nigel Barlow.

Bumper crowds are expected to attend the Oliver’s Mount meeting, with a minimum of nine races on Saturday and Sunday.

Competition for the Darren Lindsay Superbike Trophy, the David Jefferies Cup, the Lee Pullan Trophy and the Stu Reed Trophy is split over both days of the event.

The Steve Henshaw Gold Cup is held on Sunday.

Racing starts at 1pm on both days, with practice and qualifying taking place from 9am on Saturday, and free practice from 9.30am on Sunday.

Admission on the gate costs £20 for Saturday and £25 for Sunday for adults.

Accompanied children aged 15 and under are free.

There is also free parking.