Reports
The latest event reports are listed below. Many thanks to Bretton King for taking the time to craft these and send them in to TMX News!
- Jack Croston Trial - 18 October 09
Location: Hannington
Youth triumphed over experience in the final round of the Swindon and
District MC Club Championship held at the Old Station Yard, Hannington on
Sunday where 48 riders congregated to do battle.
Despite sealing his title of Club Champion in August, Rob Scott arrived
determined to lay claim to the Jack Croston Trophy and justify his number 1
position. However, what he hadn't accounted for was the sterling challenge
and ensuing crunch presented by Lee Hassall and Michael Johnson. The lead
changed hands throughout the 4 laps of 10 sections, despite Rob starting
sharply with a 3 mark loss on lap 1 that led from Lee on 6, Ross Thurlow on
7 and Michael on 9. This lead failed to last as entering the final lap the
order was completely reversed with Michael leading on 14. However, his stock
plummeted following a catastrophic 5 in the muddy gulley of section 2 and
Ross accumulated 10 marks on the lap to leave Lee a worthy winner.
In AB Tim Wheeler poached the win with a tidy 2 mark loss from Dave Burk on
5.
The other focal point of the trial was class C, where Dave Griffith's win was enough to eclipse Gary Dando and Liam Wooster after a tight tussle and thus Dave sailed to the title of Champion. He took a 2 mark victory from Steve Simpson on the day, who co-led
going into the final lap but a series of 4 decidely slack dabs cost Simpson dearly. The battle between Mark Tull, Dando and Gary Wilkins for third place on the Championship podium never materialised, thus allowing Gary to slug it out with Liam Wooster. Unfortunately for Liam, his last lap defecit of 13 marks meant he couldn't reel Gary in and thus Dando took the Runner-Up position in the table and Liam took third overall.
The B class was a two-horse race between Adrian Steele and Nigel Tomkins, the latter of whom never managed to recover from a first lap five in the
stream turn of section 9. Whilst talking of water, Youth A winner Will King
got up-close and personal with the local sticklebacks following a trip over
the bars in section 6. Not to be out done, Ollie Humphris followed suit
with far more style (a triple salco I believe in ice skating speak!!) yet
still took Youth B from Spear junior by a very
comfortable 52 mark margin.
The observer of the year title was also settled, and thanks to a no-show from Ken Saunders and an appearance by Ken Hoult the 2009 Observer Championship title is to be shared between the dynamic duo, with atotal of 6 "observations" each enough to seal the win.
Premier Lee Hassall 20
A Michael Johnson 22, Ross Thurlow 26, Rob Scott 30
AB Tim Wheeler 2, Dave Burk 5, Bretton King 7
B Adrian Steele 9, Nigel Tomkins 10, Michael Maslin 17
C Dave Griffiths 22, Steve Simpson 24, Geoff Maslin 38
Yth A Will King 30
Yth B Ollie Humphries 68
Observer Champion Ken Saunders and Ken Hoults - 6 rounds each
- Maslin Trophy Trial - 13 August 09
Location: Wootton Bassett
The penultimate round of the Swindon & DMCC club championship was staged last Thursday evening and a very pleasant soiré was had by all who attended the Maslin family-hosted event.
With a three lap -12 section format, a plethora of observers were needed to man them, and Ken Saunders led the way, as he made his sixth appearance of the season and that makes him unbeatable in their championship. There were a few more champions crowned at the close of the evening as they each put themselves in unassailable positions. Rob Scott took the Premier on the night with a narrow 1 mark victory over Stephan Walters, gaining the decisive advantage in section five's rockery where he dropped only 4 to Stephan's 7, and Rob's win makes him top-dog once again.
In the AB class, Keith Wooster sealed enough points to secure his place at the head of the table by taking second place behind Bretton King. Keith attempted to drown the Sherco in section two's stream, but his spectacular dismount saved the day yet it still wasn't enough to save defeat as King dropped only 7 marks to his thirteen. To add further embarrassment, King and Wooster were both beaten by B class supremo Adrian Steele, as he lost a miserly 4 marks, three of which were in the tight twists of section 12.
Adrian led his class from the start despite the best efforts of Andy Perry who came second. The final group of competitors on this route were the Youth A brigade and a sensational ride came from Will King as he not only proceeded to win his class but also come third overall and trounce many experienced riders... another new champion confirmed although in his words, his disappointment of the evening was shedding 4 marks on the last lap and thus failing to beat King snr. A mention must also be made of Mark Stokes as he rode his sweet-running twinshock 349 Montesa superbly to notch fifth place on the route - a great effort.
The yellow route caters for the C class and victorious here was David Griffiths. His 9 mark loss was three better than Gary Wilkins, but of more importance to him was the fact that he managed to extend his championship lead over Stratton's Liam Wooster. The stats are that David now only needs to finish fifth at the last round to net the C class crown while Liam and Gary Wilkins are separated by a mere 2 points - a real nail-biting finish looms in October!
The final killing of engines preceded everyone tucking into the Maslin chilli and the social pleasantries of trials begin - its what summer evenings are for!!
Premier Rob Scott 10 marks lost
Best A Stephan Walters 11 m.l.
Best AB Bretton King 7 m.l.
Best B Adrian Steele 4 m.l.
Best Youth B Will King 8 m.l.
Best C David Griffiths 9 m.l.
Best O/50 Terry Cole 8 m.l.
- Corinium 09 Report -
click here
- Brian Freegard Trial - 11 Jan 09
Location: Hannington
Headline (Get it?)
Well and truly Jason’s win
The New Year got off to a chilly start for all who attended the Brian Freegard Trial, the first of the 2009 Club Championship, although a welcome thaw during the event did ease things a little for the 30 competitors and gallant observers at the Old Station Yard near Hannington.
A course of ten sections was plotted by GL and Gavin Moore (ably assisted by bag carrying Lyndon Jack) on the familiar banks and roots of this popular venue and some equally familiar faces were at the head of the winners queue to. Most notable was Jason Welland who hammered his opposition with some staggering rides aboard his “just run-in” Fantic Section, especially on the steep bank and log crossings of section ten.
This section was the severest of the lap on all the routes and was where he gained his biggest advantage as both 2008 champions Rob Scott and Ross Thurlow slithered to halts on the first climb over the log and got no further. Jason on the other hand simply nailed the throttle and flew it, taking two cleans, a one and five – awesome riding. His last lap clean was worth seeing as he leapt over the log, ended up with the rear tyre resting against it, after which he dumped the clutch whereby it gripped on the log before firing up and across the iced-over camber.
Ross and Rob were left fighting for Best A and ultimately only four marks separated them, in Ross’ favour. Without appearing to be rude, Ross (“still young at 52!!”) had a great ride and some of his trick riding was a joy to watch as he did effortless rear-end hoppies to re-align the Beta EVO whilst getting through the sections. Rob meanwhile took a heck of clout to his back when in section 9 and this only added to his day’s challenge.
The new section marking/class system introduced in the Wessex centre for
09 was getting its debut at Hannington and although it looked confusing at first (one observer – nameless but with the first name beginning with K – was very unhappy to start with!!), but everyone quickly adapted to the colours and Adrian Steele proved the least bit bothered as he secured a win in the B class with some very stylish riding. Terry Cole and Vic Moran are true gentlemen triallers, never looking rushed, just steady, calm and collected and their battle gave Terry a two mark win at the close in the Over 50 bracket. Young Graham Harris seemed to be fighting with his Mont at one point and looking at his final score (sorry Graham) I reckon the Montesa won by two falls and a submission – Break!!. Numbers can be unlucky for some, but not John Jacka (riding at
13) as he scooped the C class award.
In the youth classes, Will King has stepped up into A class schoolboy this year and onto a more severe route too. Despite the tougher sections he was more than coping for the first 3 laps, keeping his creaking father Brett well within his sights and actually beating him on the odd section too. Much to the elder(ly?) King’s relief, Will’s performance slid a little as fatigue started to get the better of his clutch finger on the final lap, but he’d done enough to be best Youth A. Another youngster that never looked phased by the obstacles was Bertie Raines on his 125 Gas Gas. He took the Youth B win with some very tidy rides and looked to be really enjoying himself around the course.
The clash of dates with the Hurran Trial in the Western centre certainly impacted on the number of entries (last year there was no Hurran and we had over 50 riders) and consequently our Youth classes were depleted too. Despite the lower numbers, GL and GM are to be congratulated on the course they marked out. The frost was always going to make it tricky but when the thaw set in, riders were confronted with wet slop on top of frozen ground ��� very tricky – and not of the dynamic duo’s making either. Last but not least, the observers were displaying their weather hardiness and thanks go to them for persevering in the cold. They also resumed battle for the 2009 Club Champion Observer title and this is bound to be an equally close tussle. Next trial is here again on 15th February.
Results
Premier Jason Welland 15 marks
Best A Ross Thurlow 49
Best AB Bretton King 30
Best B Adrian Steele 41
Best YA Will King 74
Best C John Jacka 16
Best O/50 Terry Cole 10
Best YB Bertie Raines 21