Under a blazing sky and with temperatures heading towards 30 centigrade the Allan Jefferies Trophy Sunday in Littondale became a seven hour ordeal for the one hundred and fourteen competitors and the many observers and official manning the sections on the twenty mile one lap trials course.
The start area was at the top of Littondale but the route took in Kettlewell and the spectacular Park Rash road which is reputed to one of the steepest in the British Isles. Out of the one hundred and fourteen competitors six names battled for the Allan Jefferies Trophy. Sadler failed Skipton observer's Mick Shorrock's thirty sixth section.
That hoisted the Sadler penalty score to twelve from five so as in many Allan Jefferies results have hinged on the famed Waterfall section behind the Halton Gill Reading Rooms. And it happened again on Sunday. Thorpe was the penultimate contender to ride the section, and he lost a single mark. The Bumpy Ltd motorcycle instructor watched his rival ride up the climb without penalty. As Austermuhle negotiated the first vital yards Dan commented "He has won the day, by a single penalty" and then sportingly congratulated his rival with a firm hand.
The Halton Parish Ladies Circle again fed the hungry and thirsty visitors. Halton Ladies member Dawn Nolan reported that all cold drinks and beverages were sold. No surprise there! The support for the trial from the Halton Gill Ladies is now into its second decade.
Results:
Hard course, experts: Ian Austermuhle (Beta UK) 5, Dan Thorpe (JST Gas Gas) 6, Richard Sadler (MRS Sherco) 12.
Inters: Boyd Webster (Montesa) 49, James Noble (Gas Gas) 51, Gavin Black
(Montesa) 53.
Novices: Rob Waite (Beta) 49, Jack Stones (Gas Gas) 51, Sam Boocock (Sherco) 76.
Clubmen:
Experts: Paul Bennett (Sherco) 25.
Inters: Darren Wasley (Gas Gas) 6, Roger Willams (Scorpa) 18, Graham Tales
(Beta) 20.
Novices: Katy Sunter (JST Gas Gas) 17, Philip Armstrong (Beta) 17, Andrew Tales (Beta) 25.