ThundersportGB boss Dave Stewart has thrown the ailing Derby Phoenix club a lifeline and will run five of their classes in his own championship next season.

The club was forced to close its doors as a standalone enterprise last month but Stewart, who started his own racing career with Derby Phoenix just after the war, couldn’t see it close down entirely.

Thundersport allow riders who were members of Derby Phoenix in 2013 or 2014 to race at Thundersport GB events during the 2015 season simply by rejoining Derby Phoenix for the new season to contest a 6 round championship.

Five of those events will be hosted by Thundersport GB and will incorporate the Derby Phoenix Championship for Pre-Injection 600, Steel-Framed 600, 1300 4-strokes, Supertwins and Stocktwins within compatible Thundersport GB categories. The centre-piece of the series will be a 6th round, this being a stand alone Derby Phoenix motorcycling festival at the clubs home circuit of Cadwell Park on 12th & 13th September.

“I am very pleased to be able to use some of the resources I have in Stewart Events to assist one of my old clubs. Whilst this 2015 initiative is a starting point for securing the future of Derby Phoenix, it is only the first step in restructuring the club and that must have the intention of seeing it return to full health as a 100% independent club,” he said.

“This club – any club – is only the sum of its members and I hope those riders who have been able to enjoy events with Derby Phoenix over the years are able to show their continued support by renewing their memberships directly with Dave, Jim and their team of hardworking volunteers.”