NEWSLETTER
Hi everyone, firstly many apologies for not sending this message to you all earlier, unfortunately some very sad personal circumstances resulted in me being away from home for a very good while coupled with the fact that the Stafford show organisers were very late in finalising our Club stand details this year, which all had a knock on effect.
Firstly I'd just like to say a huge congratulations to all of our 2026 Earlystocks Championship awards winners who are as follows :-
500cc Twin Shock Class
1st Place - Kevin Cooper - Suzuki T500 🏆🥇
Class 1
1st Place - Gavin Bird - Yamaha YPVS350🏆🥇
2nd Place - Nic Burgar - Kawasaki GPZ500 🏆🥈
3rd Place - Mark Bostock - Kawasaki GPZ500 🏆🥉
Class 2
1st Place - John Adamson - Yamaha YPVS350🏆🥇
2nd Place - Ivan Childs - Suzuki GSXR750 🏆🥈
3rd Place - John Nicklin - Kawasaki Zephyr 750 🏆🥉
Class 3
1st Place - Martyn Cooper - Honda VFR750 🏆🥇
2nd Place - Steve Hampton - Honda VFR750 🏆🥈
3rd Place - Ash Wilkinson - Honda VFR750 🏆🥉
Well done to you all & also to everyone who has taken part with us this season. Fabulous to see so many new faces & novices. Great effort from you all & a great seasons racing backed up with some very nearly full grids. 🍾🍻🥂🏁
Please find attached to this message a full copy of the final positions & results along with a copy of the BHR final Championship points which are still to be ratified by BHR.
I would also like to take the opportunity to say a huge thank you to all of this seasons sponsors including the following 👏 :-
J K Adamson Building Contractors,
Classic Restoration & Race - Bawtry,
Gentle-Micks Tattoo Studio,
The Winchester Motorcycle Racing Club,
Fisher Autos Ltd,
Team Bert,
Alec Gilfillan,
Without whom we wouldn’t have been able to provide any on the day trophies etc for the BHR meetings.
I would also like to say a huge Thank You to Keith Cotgrove for all his fantastic Race reports & the promotion of his Funderbike GZ500 series within the Earlystocks Championship which has resulted in a good number of new Earlystocks members & looks like it's expanding again for next season.
A mention also goes out to James Jackson for riding around the famous Goodwood meetings emblazoned with the Earlystocks logo on his leathers 😄& also to Drew Pearson again promoting the Earlystocks Club whilst riding for his first time at the Southern 100 Pre TT meeting. 👍 Also to Laura who has now become the Earlystocks paddock Mechanic & has helped out so many riders this season. Many apologies for anyone I may have left out of this list, there has been so many people helping to make this club what it is this season, that really everyone should be thanked. 👏
Obviously, our thanks also go out to British Historic Racing Club, Tonfanau Road Racing Club & Preston & District Motorcycle Racing Club for allowing us to run with them this season.
Also a big thank you to all our committee members & in particular John & Donna Adamson who have yet again been a great help throughout the season & assisting us, as well as being the Earlystocks catering team & Rick Parker as being relief chef & presentation evening organiser.
That’s it for now folks & I’ll get cracking on with the Machine regs & race calendar for next season. 😁
Regards
Cass BeardmoreSecretaryEarlystocks Racing Club,Knockinaam Wood Cottage,Portpatrick,Stranraer,Dumfries & Galloway,DG9 9AG. Tel 01776 820827 or 07710998216
RACE REPORTS
Earlystocks Motorcycle Road Racing Club 
CADWELL PARK – 2026 SEASON FINALE
Well, what a way to finish the season!
Cadwell Park once again provided the perfect backdrop for the Earlystocks with four races delivering a fantastic mixture of machinery, close racing, impressive lap times and, inevitably, a few mechanical dramas along the way. 
As always on our grids, an eclectic mix of bikes, 2 and 4 strokes of varying size and power.
And with four races on the programme, there was plenty to keep the riders — and spectators — entertained!
RACE 1. Saturday.
The opening race saw Martyn Cooper take a superb overall victory on the Honda VFR, completing the six laps in 10:45.35.
Martyn also set the fastest lap of the race with a 1:45.53, averaging an impressive 74.37 mph around Cadwell. 
Paul Snell brought his Honda VFR750 home second, just 0.37 seconds behind, while Mark Ess took third on the Yamaha FZ750.
Robert Chambers was fourth on the Kawasaki Z750, followed by Steve Hampton then Ashley Wilkinson on the VFR750’s.
John Adamson was the only two-stroke on the Yamaha RD350LC YPVS, finishing seventh and Ivan Childs on his GSXR750 tenth.
The GPZ500s were well represented, and as the season has progressed have been getting closer to the faster bikes at the top end. Mark Bostock lead the Kawasaki contingent home, followed by Mark Turner, Denver Beer and Dean Clegg. Glen Gray looked good on his FZ600 in fifteenth place.
Unfortunately Nic Burgar crashed out and Keith Cotgrove had engine problems that persisted all weekend, on their GPZ500’s.
Mark Daniels finished the race in sixteenth followed by novice Sam Cotgrove on the KLE500.
A great start to the weekend — and plenty more racing still to come!
RACE 2. Carried over to Sunday due to lack of time.
With rain overnight track conditions were a touch greasey and favored wet weather specilists.
John Adamson took the overall victory on the Yamaha RD350LC YPVS (no surprise there!)
John completed the six laps in 12:35.94 and produced an impressive fastest lap of 2:01.69.
Just 0.71 seconds separated John from Alexander Pearson, who brought the Honda VFR home second, while Robert Chambers took third on the Kawasaki Z750.
Steve Hampton was a close fourth, followed by Ivan Childs riding impressively on his Suzuki GSXR.
The GPZ500s once again provided plenty of interest, with Novice Dean Clegg (first time out on his GPZ500, the one to watch next year) leading the Kawasaki GPZ contingent home, ahead of Mark Bostock, Andrew Burscough and Denver Beer.
Ashley Wilkinson finished tenth and Nic Burgar bringing his GPZ500 home in twelfth.
Sam Cotgrove finished thirteenth, while Keith Cotgrove pipped Glen Gray to fourteenth pace. Unfortunately, Mark Turner took an uncharactoristic tumble after three laps, thankfully with no injury.
Two races down — and Cadwell was already producing plenty of stories! 
RACE 3.
By Race 3 the pace was seriously hotting up.
Robert Chambers took the overall victory with an incredible ride on the Kawasaki Z750, completing seven laps in 12:49.96.
Mark Ess was second on the Yamaha FZ750, just 5.52 seconds behind, while Ashley Wilkinson took third on the Honda VFR750.
Martyn Cooper was fourth and Steve Hampton fifth, and John Adamson seventh on the RD350.
Alexander Pearson came in at eighth place. Andrew Burscough followed in ninth on his GPZ500 with an incredible fastest lap of 1:54.30!!
Allan Hoyland riding the GSXR750 of Mark Daniels, came in eleventh just beating Ivan Childs on his Suzuki.
The remaining GPZ500s again put on a good showing, with Mark Bostock, Mark Turner, Nic Burgar and Keith Cotgrove, Stu Poulton and Sam Cotgrove also completed their six laps.
The fastest lap went to Mark Ess, who produced a rapid 1:45.86 at 74.14 mph. 
Unfortunately, Dean Clegg's race came to an early end after just two laps.
RACE 4 – THE FINAL RACE
And then it was time for the final race of the Cadwell weekend — and the final race of the season.
This time it was Mark Ess who took the honours on the Yamaha FZ750, finishing the seven laps in 12:33.47.
But it was an incredibly close finish behind him. Martyn Cooper crossed the line just 0.35 seconds later on the Honda VFR! 
Ashley Wilkinson completed the overall podium in third and Steve Hampton fifth.
Allan Hoyland was sixth on the Suzuki GSXR, followed by Ivan Childs.
The GPZ500s once again battled their way through the field, with Mark Bostock leading the Kawasaki machines home, followed by Dean Clegg. Nic Burgar, Glen Gray on his FZ600, Keith Cotgrove and Sam Cotgrove also completed the final race.
The final fastest lap of the weekend went to Martyn Cooper, who recorded a superb 1:45.57 at 74.34 mph.
AND THAT'S A WRAP!
Four races. Four different winners across the weekend. A fantastic mixture of machinery. Some seriously quick lap times. A few mechanical casualties. And plenty of racing right down through the field.
That's exactly what makes this grid so entertaining.
Earlystocks bring together motorcycles from with completely different characters — but once the lights go out, they're all competing for the same chequered flag.
Cadwell Park proved once again to be a fantastic venue for the final meeting of the season, with the famous Mountain, Hall Bends, The Gooseneck and Coppice providing plenty of challenges for riders throughout the weekend.
From the scream of the RD350 to the big Hondas, GSXRs, FZs, Z750s and those cheap as chips old GPZ500s, there was plenty of character on the grid.
And that's what our club racing is all about. 
DIFFERENT BIKES. DIFFERENT CLASSES. ONE GREAT GRID.
A massive congratulations to every rider who took part, whether you were fighting for the win, battling for a class position, learning as a novice, chasing a personal best, returning after yet another retirement or simply trying to get that old bike through another race!
And as always, a huge thank you to Steve and Cass and the committee, BHR, marshals, officials, organisers, mechanics, helpers, families and supporters who make these weekends possible.
Four races at Cadwell.
Plenty of battles. Plenty of noise. Plenty of old bikes being ridden far harder than their designers ever intended! 
And that's another season done and dusted……..
SEE YOU ALL IN 2027!
EARLYSTOCKS — KEEPING OLD BIKES & PROPER CLUB RACING ALIVE!
Earlystocks at Anglesey
A Weekend of Racing on the Welsh Coast
The Earlystocks Racing Club headed across to North Wales for the latest round of the 2026 championship, joining the British Historic Racing Club meeting at Anglesey on 15th and 16th August. With four races over the weekend, riders faced one of the most spectacular and challenging circuits on the calendar, with its combination of fast sweeping sections, technical corners and spectacular views across the Irish Sea.
The weekend belonged to Allan Hoyland, who produced a remarkable clean sweep, taking victory in all four races. Riding his Suzuki GSXR, Allan was in outstanding form throughout, combining impressive pace with remarkable consistency. He also set the fastest lap in every race, underlining just how strong his weekend had been.
Behind Allan, Martyn Cooper enjoyed another excellent weekend on his Honda VFR, regularly running at the sharp end of the field. Paul Snell was also amongst the front runners on his Honda VFR750, producing a strong and consistent performance throughout the four races.
The racing behind the leaders was every bit as competitive. Paul Johnson enjoyed a particularly strong weekend on the Suzuki Katana, while Ashley Wilkinson, Gary Porter, Marco Tamburelli, Drew Pearson, John Adamson, Ivan Childs, Mike Hands and John Nicklin were all involved in some very close battles.
It was particularly good to see Ivan and Mike back out on their Gixxers, adding plenty of entertainment to the racing. Mark Daniels, unfortunately, suffered more bad luck when his GSXR developed an oil leak, bringing his weekend's racing to an early and frustrating end.
It was also brilliant to welcome Team Bert back to the grid on their Kawasaki Zephyrs. Gavin Bird and Dean Clegg provided plenty of entertainment as usual, with both riders enjoying the close racing that has become such a feature of the Earlystocks field.
Glen Gray once again looked at home on his FZ600. 
For the Earlystocks GPZ500 contingent, Anglesey proved to be another tough but rewarding weekend.
Andrew Burscough was the class act of the GPZ500 field, making four Class 1 victories look remarkably easy. Andrew's pace and consistency around Anglesey were impressive, and he once again demonstrated just how competitive the GPZ500 can be when everything comes together.
Behind Andrew, Mark Bostock, Denver Beer and Nicholas Burgar were all battling hard throughout the four races, with positions changing as the weekend progressed. Mark Turner was also riding strongly .
Prof Cotgrove had a challenging weekend, running short of electrolytes and finding the physical demands of Anglesey particularly tough. Nevertheless, his lap times improved steadily over the weekend, showing good progress despite the difficulties.
New racer Sam Cotgrove, competing on his GPZ500-engined KLE500, also continued to make progress. Sam chipped away at his lap times throughout the weekend and, importantly, completed all four races.
One of the notable features of the weekend was the sheer consistency of the front runners.
Allan Hoyland's four overall victories were backed up by four fastest laps, while Class 1 front runner Andrew Burscough remained virtually untouchable, taking maximum GPZ500 points from all four races.
With Anglesey now completed, attention turns towards the final stages of what has already been a highly competitive Earlystocks season. The championship heads next to Cadwell Park on 12th and 13th September, where the famous Lincolnshire circuit will provide another very different challenge for these classic and post-classic machines.
With championships still to be decided and the racing as close as ever throughout the field, Cadwell promises to be another fantastic weekend for Earlystocks.
Bring it on!
Earlystocks Motocycle Racing Club. Darley Moor round up.. July 2026.
Darley Moor Delivers Another Excellent Weekend of Racing
The British Historic Racing Club returned to Darley Moor for another superb weekend of close, competitive racing. As always, the paddock was full of friendly faces, plenty of hard work behind the scenes and some excellent racing across the field.
At the front, Martyn Cooper was simply untouchable on his Honda VFR, taking victory in all four races and setting the fastest lap in every outing. Behind him, there was plenty of action as Allan Hoyland, Kevin Cooper and Steve Hampton fought over the podium positions, with all three producing consistently fast lap times throughout the meeting.
The battle behind the leading quartet was equally entertaining. Barry Doherty, Paul Snell, Dave Williams, Gary Porter, Marco Tamburelli and Alexander Pearson were all involved in close racing, often separated by only a few seconds after race distance. Every position had to be earned, with nobody giving an inch.
The GPZ500 contingent once again provided some of the closest racing of the weekend. Mark Bostock continued his strong form to lead the Kawasaki runners whenever reliability allowed, while Nicholas Burgar, Denver Beer and Keith Cotgrove enjoyed some close battles throughout the four races. Every lap was fiercely contested, proving once again just how competitive the GPZ500 class has become.
Gavin Bird kept the ever-popular Yamaha RD350 YPVS flying the two-stroke flag, while John Adamson continued to entertain spectators on his beautifully ridden RD350LC YPVS until mechanical gremlins appeared. Rick Parker offered his GPZ500 to John and it as good to see him race a Geep.
Glen Gray once again showed great determination on the Yamaha FZ600, bringing the bike home in every race.
There was disappointment for first time on track Sam Cotgrove, whose Kawasaki KLE500 suffered mechanical problems in the opening races, resulting in retirements. However, the Winchester team worked tirelessly between races to solve the issues, and their efforts were rewarded with Sam returning to finish Race 26, gaining valuable experience and showing plenty of determination. Novice Paul Burgar made a steady start on his GPZ500.
The final race also brought its share of drama, with several retirements among the leading runners, proving that Darley Moor remains a demanding circuit where reliability is every bit as important as outright speed.
A huge thank you goes to Steve and Cass and also the marshals, officials, medics and all the volunteers whose hard work makes these meetings possible. Thanks also to the families, friends and supporters who keep the paddock spirit alive.
Congratulations to everyone who raced, whether chasing podiums or simply aiming to finish. We now look forward to the next round, where no doubt the battles throughout the field will continue.
See you all at Anglesey!
Pembrey Serves Up Sunshine and Superb Racing
Pembrey is often known for throwing every type of weather at competitors, but for this BHR and Earlystocks meeting, Wales was on its best behavior. Riders, teams and spectators were treated to warm sunshine and blue skies throughout the weekend, creating perfect conditions for four excellent races around one of Britain's most enjoyable circuits.
The paddock was busy from the outset, with a healthy entry across the classes and a fantastic atmosphere that remained throughout the weekend. As always, Earlystocks delivered exactly what it is renowned for: close, competitive racing combined with a friendly and welcoming environment both on and off the track.
At the front of the field, Martyn Cooper enjoyed an outstanding weekend aboard his Honda VFR, producing a faultless performance to take four victories from four starts. Ashley Wilkinson, Paul Johnson and John Adamson also enjoyed strong weekends, providing some excellent battles and maintaining an impressive pace throughout. Gavin Bird as usual, looked impressive on his RD350.
Across the grid, there was plenty of action for spectators to enjoy, with battles developing in every race and riders often separated by only hundreths of a second after several laps around the fast and flowing Welsh circuit.
The GPZ500 Funderbike Championship riders were once again part of the action, continuing to demonstrate how affordable and accessible racing can still be. The class is steadily growing and provides an excellent entry point for both new and returning racers. Local racer Andrew Burscough excelled on his GPZ500 with three out of four wins in class 1 and impressive lap times of sub 1.11 with Mark Bostock close behind. New racer Dean Clegg on his GPZ550 impressed, mixing it with the faster GPZ500’s.
Sunday's final race was unfortunately brought to an early conclusion following a tumble from Ivan Childs on his GSXR750, with the result declared after seven laps. Ivan was checked out at hospital and thankfully ok. Despite the interruption, the meeting concluded successfully and brought another excellent weekend of racing to a close.
Away from the racing itself, the paddock once again highlighted what makes BHR and Earlystocks such a special place to race. There was no shortage of helping hands, shared tools, borrowed parts and friendly advice throughout the weekend, with competitors always willing to support one another.
A huge thank you, as always, goes to BHR, the marshals, medics, officials and volunteers whose hard work allows these events to take place safely and successfully.Pembrey has once again delivered a memorable weekend, and with the season continuing to gather momentum, everyone will already be looking forward to the next round.
Four races, fantastic weather and another excellent advert for Earlystocks racing.
CADWELL PARK
Cadwell Park served up a proper Earlystocks classic across the weekend, with close battles, fast Hondas, hard-charging Kawasaki’s and a few riders steadily finding form as the meeting unfolded. The sharp end of the field became a four-rider scrap between Martyn Cooper, Allan Hoyland, Ashley Wilkinson and Paul Snell, with honors shared across the four races.
Race 2 opened the weekend with Martyn Cooper taking victory aboard the Honda VFR after a race-long fight with Ashley Wilkinson, the pair split by just 0.63 seconds at the flag. Allan Hoyland completed the podium, while Paul Snell set the fastest lap of the race with a blistering 1:44.80.
By Race 10 the battle tightened even further. Allan Hoyland edged Martyn Cooper by only six tenths of a second after seven frantic laps, while Wilkinson and Snell remained firmly in the hunt. Robert Chambers again impressed on the Kawasaki Z750, comfortably leading the Class B runners and mixing it with the quicker Class D machinery.
Sunday morning’s Race 18 produced another superb contest, with Hoyland once more coming out on top ahead of Paul Snell and Ashley Wilkinson. Cooper was only just behind in
fourth after another fast and consistent ride. Chambers continued his strong weekend with fifth overall and fastest Class B lap honours.
The final encounter, Race 26, finally swung back in Martyn Cooper’s favour. Cooper inherited the lead after Ashley Wilkinson retired from a commanding position and went on to take victory from Hoyland and Steve Hampton. Wilkinson’s pace before retiring showed just how competitive the front-running VFR pack had been all weekend.
Further down the field there were strong performances from John Adamson and Ivan Childs in Class C, unfortunately Mark Daniels GSXR750 had major engine failure in lap 1 of race 1. Gavin Bird on his RD350 led the GPZ500 contingent and all enjoyed some close racing of their own. Keith Cotgrove, Nicholas Burgar and Mark Bostock all traded places and improved lap times as the meeting progressed. Burgar in particular steadily chipped away at his times across the weekend, eventually dropping into the low 2:00s by the final race.
Cadwell once again delivered its usual cocktail of bravery, rhythm and organized chaos, with the Earlystocks paddock producing close racing throughout and setting the scene nicely for the next round.
If any BHR riders out there are looking for a cheap extra class then why not consider getting a GPZ500 for a few hundred quid and join in the fun..
LYDDEN HILL
Lydden Hill Launches 2026 in Style Round 1 at Lydden Hill delivered a full weekend of close racing, big battles and plenty of drama across all classes.
Saturday kicked things off with John “Nig” Nicklin leading early in Race One, before the VFR riders fought their way to the front. James Jackson joined the battle on the big GSX, while Steve Hampton held strong under pressure from Ash, Martin and Jackson to take the win.
Race Two followed a similar pattern, with the VFR machines and Jackson at the front. This time Jackson made it stick, taking victory after a hard-fought race. In the GPZ500 class, Dougie took the win, followed by Prof. Cotgrove, with Nick Burgar impressing on debut to take third on his 20th birthday.
Sunday turned up the intensity, with constant position changes making both races difficult to call. The VFR riders again led the way, joined at the front by a striking Moto Guzzi, while Jonathan Power stayed close on his FZ750. Behind them, Adamson, Cooper and Bird battled hard in a two-stroke scrap.
Race Three brought late drama in the GPZ class. Dougie led early, but Bashar Bostock’s charge ended in the kitty litter at the final corner. Prof. Cotgrove inherited the lead, only for Burgar to pass him after a missed gear and take a remarkable debut win. Race Four saw Bostock bounce back to take a Class 1 win, underlining a determined weekend. Despite some mechanical issues across the field, Round 1 proved one thing… the 2026 season is well and truly underway.
About Us - Production Based Classic & Post Classic Machines
About our Club
Earlystocks Racing Club. ( Classic, Post Classic and Modern Classic Racing Motorcycles).
This is a club for those of who remember when bikes were bikes and not all covered in plastic.
Catering basically for road based production machines manufactured pre 1987. Air cooled engines with carburettors, twin rear shocks. Old school technology where spanners count for more than computers.
Monoshock machines also now catered for.
We allow some modifications to make it easier to get better tyres than the old canvas things they used back then.
Tuning the supension and engines to give more power and handle better than they were built to back in the day.
Being one of the cheapest forms of racing it is becoming more popular, especially when compared to the cost of racing a supersports or superbike, where the price of a weekends tyres for a superbike would cover about a 3rd of a seaons racing on and Earlystocker.
The racing on track is just as good but back in the paddock it is more social and everybody will help you if you have a problem.
If you've ever said to yourself "I'd love to have a go at racing" come on and give it a go or come along to some of the tracks and talk to us.
You'll be glad you did.
Like Classic Bikes ?
Want to race on a lower budget without having to purchase a full Race Frame & Tyre Warmers etc, then look no further.
Earlystocks is a Club run by Racers for Racers.
Championship Classes
Four Championship Classes for 2025
500cc Twin shock
Class 1
Class 2
Class 3
