Wigan's Rob Hodson finishes the year in wheely fine style!

Bike racer Rob Hodson ended his UK season with a storming win to engrave his name on a famous old trophy, writes Richard Bean.

The SMT Racing top two-wheeled ‘jockey’ certainly drew the curtains over his British efforts in some style.

He won the invitation-only Richardson 'Stars at Darley 2026' feature race at Derbyshire's Darley Moor circuit - beating works Honda GB 23-times Isle of Man TT legend John McGuinness MBE into second place on both days, into the bargain, with a fastest lap of 99.37mph.

Joey Thompson just edged Jake Hopper into third place with British SuperSport rider TJ Toms, Cameron Hall, 'Percy' Goodings and 2024 Senior Manx Grand Prix podium finisher Sam Johnson, Ricky Tarren and Tom Fisher making up the top 10.

The Bryn rider and father of one now joins a hugely prestigious list to take the top step for the 'Stars' event over the years including Rocket Ron Haslam (1975/1976) and Carl Fogarty MBE (1989 /1990).

Multi winners have included Michael Rutter, Peter Hickman and JPS Norton star Trevor Nation.

And happily a matter of hours after the podium glory, the organisers were able to announce that the former WWII airfield circuit - both main straights were once fighter take-off runways - had been saved.

Rumours have been swirling all year that avaricious housing developers were attempting to prize the land - situated in a splendid greenery near Ashbourne - away from the motorsports world by waiving a huge house builders cheque in the direction of the soon to retire farmer landlord.

But with Hodson's SMT (Standish Metal Treatment) Honda Fireblade CB1000RR-R barely having time to cool down, gleeful organisers issued a statement that its chequered flag future had now been secured for at least the next five years.

The win was particularly poignant for this fantastic Wigan motorcycle racing family considering the huge history the Hodsons have with Darley Moor Circuit.

Dad, racer Jim Hodson, who said he was ‘absolutely made up’ with Rob's 'Stars' triumph, is also six-time clubman's champion at Darley across various machine classes from 125cc up to and including the 1300cc Superbikes.

And Rob and his late brother Jamie, 35, who lost his life in a racing accident at the Ulster Grand Prix in 2017, were effectively ‘brought up’ peddling around the Darley racing paddocks on their pushbikes as kids.

Both effectively started their racing careers on 125cc GP Honda two strokes around Darley and most certainly learned their craft around it's challenging hair pin and flat out straights.

Not for nothing has Darley Moor Motorcycle Racing Club always added the legend, 'The Star Makers,' to it's proud notice boards.

Delighted Rob, who lives in Bryn, said: "We had a great weekend at the 'Stars' meeting - another big trophy added to the list.

''I'm very proud to have won it.

"Afterwards John McGuinness MBE gave me some praise for the achievement, which was fantastic because he was a hero for me growing up.

"But at the end of the day he is still a racer and wants to win as much as ever.

"We're in a good place as we approach the Macau GP and I'm very much looking forward to it."

Next month, the SMT Racing team draw the curtains on the season in the most spectacular fashion possible - while hoping for an exotic Chinese take away!

Their 200mph Honda Fireblade Superbike, complete with stunning new one-off livery, is already on its way to the steamy Casino mad Far Eastern island of Macau for the invitation-only week-long Macau car and motorcycle Grand Prix held over November 13 /21.

Because of the epic logistics involved for SNT Racing owner Robin Croft and the team, it is only effectively a realistic race option because the Chinese organisers pay for rider and mechanics flights and each way motorcycle transport.

Macau's coastal 6km plus street circuit is fast and technically challenging consisting of almost flat out straights and tight corners all hemmed in by unforgiving Armco safety barriers.

And SMT tech wiz Liam Leacock will need all his lap top manipulating expertise to fine tune the 'drive' of the RR-R 1000cc Honda if the team are to grab a podium.

As ever in the sub-tropical region, the weather could well play a part and the races usually have to jump into a rain-free slot in the programme.

This is the 73 year of running of the Grand Prix - although motorcycles have only formed part of the thrilling race programme since 1967.

Father, Jim Hodson , plus his race engineer Paul Ashton will also be travelling with SMT, celebrating their own 40 year chequered flag partnership this season and the wealth of experience that brings.