Tuesday March 19, 2013 at 4:49pm
A sunny but chilly day in the edge of the Dartmoor National Park saw the first round of the Sammy Miller sponsored Trials championship series kick off with the West of England Motor Clubs Vic Ashford Trial, with 87 solos and 9 sidecars spread throughout the six classes allowed in the championship. Neil Hannam and Barry Pocock were the first sidecar crew away from car park at Ipplepen South Devon at 09.31 for the 22 mile loop around the Torbay countryside.
Heavy overnight rain and early morning snow caused problems as several stream sections had to be cut due to the volume of water tumbling down from the moor. Other wooded Sections were left in a very sticky condition and Clerk of the Course Robin Hoare was out early to make the necessary changes.
First up were the sections at ‘Gotemhill’ a wooded hillside climb followed by a 2nd rocky climb which proved very testing for the chairs The twisting turning climbs around the trees were not too severe for solos and gave all competitors confidence to tackle the next group at ‘Hettor a few miles further on. ‘Hettor is a twisting turning climb over limestone rock and around young trees. As with most sections there were two routes for the solos with classes 5 and 6 running with the more difficult route. A few solo riders lost marks by following the sidecar route in error. The best of the rigid class was Mike Holloway from Horsmonden and Guy Stanley who both lost 3 marks amongst the rockery and slippery turns in the two subs. Guy went on to just pip Mike by one mark at the end of the day by 66 lost to 67 to claim maximum points in the series. Riding out of class on a rigid DMW once owned by Matt Price, Keith Wells cleaned both sections and ended the day on a mere 22 lost but not being a pre-Unit missed out on the awards. There were only 5 cleans amongst the hard route riders but Martyn Wilmore 350 BSA looked particularly in control but finished 4th overall. Most of the sidecars managed to clean all three section which gave them added confidence after the difficulties of the previous group. Lee Granby and passenger Rupert Kimber showed their class overall by finishing 12 marks ahead of Paul Fishlock and Debbie Merrell at the end of the day.
The limestone outcrops in the wooded hillside of old favourite ‘Al’s Design’ a section used back in the West of England National in the 1960’s took some marks while the long rocky gully and turn out by an old lime kiln is one to catch the unwary.
Half way around was Toms Quarry here were some limestone and mud with turns and climbs to test the balance and control of competitors. Here again the leading contenders lost dabs and threes as the claggy mud took its toll and some removed their front mudguards in an attempt to keep moving.
Skirting the hamlet of Littlehempston riders took a run up to Penny’s Wood where the loose slate climbs over roots saw marks lost for the unwary.
Down the road to ‘Bittams’ a mud and rock old stream bed seemed particularly difficult and then ‘Rock Park’ 2 long double subs by an old wall built by Napoleonic prisoners of war saw many three’s.
Down the road to the final group at Clennons’ where a fast flowing rocky stream was greeted with some relief after all the mud. The section for solos went in and out of the stream and did not cause many to loose marks. The sidecars kept in the stream and only Ian Hannam and Deborah Smith lost marks when a rock helped to shed their chain.
Best overall by a mile was veteran Jon Bliss who finished the day on just 2 marks lost riding the easier route to show that it could be done. Of the big bikes best was Steve Allen out again on his trusty Enfield which he has owned and ridden for some 27 years. Loosing just 42 marks with two 5’s – once when the engine just stopped and another where his score was failed to be recorded on the Observers board. Steve was quite cheerful about it and said he had thoroughly enjoyed the event and was ready for a 2nd lap, and that after 7 hours of riding.
Back at the finish where riders gathered at the Burger van grateful thanks were given for the free pasty and drink provided by the West of England club at the halfway point in the Trial. The talk was of a cracking trial that was set in difficult weather conditions but that it was a good start to the championship series.
Many thanks to all who assisted and spent their Sundays outing observing at this cold but enjoyable event. Thanks also to all the landowners who permitted their land to be used despite the muddy mess left in many areas.
Results
Class 1 Pre-Unit Rigid – Pre 65 Easy Route
1.Guy Stanley 440 Enfield 66 Marks lost, 2.Mike Holloway 400 AJS 67 Marks lost, 3.Andy Abraham 350 Levis 79.
Class 2 British Pre 70 Pre-Unit/Unit/2 Stroke Twinshocks-Easy Route
1.Steve Allen 350 Enfield 42 marks lost 2. John Jacka 410 Matchless 58, 3 Ian Wixon 500 Triumph 5TA 64 (ST)
Class 3 Machines with twinshock rear suspension & drum brakes as at the time of manufacture which are not eligible for class 2.-Easy Route
1.Jon Bliss 150 BSA 2 marks lost, 2 George Atkins 200 Honda 21, 3 Robin Mill 150 Honda 26.
Class 4 Sidecar Machines eligible for classes 1, 2 & 3-Easy Route
1.Lee Granby/Rupert Kimber 350 BSA 33 marks lost,
2. Paul Fishlock/Debbie Merrell 500 Ariel HT 45 marks lost,
3. Steve Radford/Jamie Howe 650 Triumph 49 marks lost.
Class 5 British Pre 70 Pre – Unit/Unit/2 Stroke, Twinshocks- Hard Route
1.Tim Blackmore 185 BSA Bantam 17 marks lost, 2 Gary Baker 200 Triumph 28 marks lost, 3.Dave Wood 320 Armstrong 29 marks lost.
3.
Class 6 Machines with twinshock rear suspension and drum brakes as at the time of manufacture which are not eligible for class 5.-Hard Route.
1.Matt Sleep 200 Honda 26 marks lost, 2. Ian Cobb 212 Fantic 27 marks lost, 3.Robert Faulkner 250 Majesty 39 marks lost.