Classical Gas: Trials Reports

Ilkley Classic Trial - Entry List now available

Sat, 10 May 2008 22:16:45 GMT

Click here for Ilkley Classic Trial Entry List (may take time to load)

Bovey Downs Trial Notes from Anne Whellock

Fri, 02 May 2008 11:48:42 GMT

39 entries. Four withdrew before the closing date due to various post Lands End, Kyrle maladies. So 35 entrants representing a good range of novice, expert, saloon and sports cars enjoyed a day out in the woods. The weather was kind to us and only rained at the end on those who were loading up their trials cars on to trailers for the journey home. Tim Whellock showed he still has a competitive streak left and took the overall win. Dudley Sterry won Class 8. He lost one of the blower belts on flint ridden Marilyn. Time for some new belts!

Roger Ugalde also still has a competitive streak and won Class 7 in the Allard J1. Mark Wills from Leicester in a Marlin came fourth overall and highest scoring novice. Mark's experience of driving classic trials amounts to 3 MCC trials when he has managed to get a finisher's certificate on all three. Class 1 was won by local man Nick Cleal in a Peugeot 205. Another local - Nick Farmer took Class 3 in his BMW318is hotly pursued by Terry Flay in Emma's Escort and Simon Groves.

Tony Lee won Class 4 in a VW Beetle. Tony's first trial. And Brian Alexander abandoned his Fiat to take Class 5 in a Suzuki X90.

Windwhistle Motor Club would like to thank all entrants for their support. And all marshals for their diligence. 26 sections for £25.00 must be the bargain of the year.

If anyone has any photos perhaps they could send some in to Pat Toulmin for Restart magazine.

Click here for Full Results

Videos found on YouTube Click here for the playlist where you can read notes etc

Kyrle Draft Report

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 11:45:33 GMT

Adrian Marfell wins tough, high scoring, Kyrle Trial

Adrian took an early lead, clearing both of the unbelievably steep hills near Monmouth and going on to drop only one mark in the mud bath at Ropers. The trial was won on these first three sections, as second place man Dean Partington dropped thirteen in this group, compared to Adrian's one. There had been a fair bit of rain during the preceding week, adding slurry to the Kyrle's near vertical sections.

The first two hills were just up the road from the start, competitors briefly entering Wales as they headed west on the A40. Both Pillbox and Goldsmiths 2 were un-believably steep, muddy and rutted with a re-start on Goldsmiths 2 for seven and eight. Adrian was one of ten class eights to clean both of these two horrors. The other classes didn't fare very well, especially on Goldsmiths 2, where it was very hard to get around the 90 left just up from the start. A special shout-out to Derek Tyler (VW Baja), Sticker Martin (Ford Escort) and Tony Young (VW beetle) who not only got around the corner but went on to clear the section.

Ropers was one of the few non-forestry sections on the event. Approached by a steep descent down to the River Wye, the section is a PCT style muddy bank, with penalties for hitting the markers. Apart from supermen Adrian Marfell and Simon Woodall, who both got as far as the one marker, nobody else got more than half way. Then came the next challenge, getting up the exit road, fearsome enough to be a section itself. Not so bad for the sevens and eights, but a problem for some of the lower classes, causing an appreciable delay.

It was back to forestry for the next group of sections, comprising Jack, Jill the first special test, and Pludds. All familiar Kyrle favourites. Dean Partington threw down a challenge here, cleaning all three to close the gap on Adrian Marfell. Elsewhere most others floundered on some, or all, of the sections, apart from Adrian Dommett whose supercharged Wolseley Hornet stormed up all three, not bad for class two! In class four Emma Robilliard had already had three punctures and Tony Young was struggling with a dead starter motor and wasn't enjoying the delays.

Next came a whole string of muddy forestry sections, many of which had no exit at the top, necessitating a perilous descent with the handbrake as they were all pretty steep. Snompers was the only one to see many cleans.

The last two sections offered some respite from the gradient, but not the mud! They were both new to the event and Paul Bartleman and Simon Groves are to be congratulated for finding them as they were different to all the forestry and consequently added character to the day.

Shapridge was in forestry but no tree weaving here. After a short time it turned into a real Crackington, only much more so, the mud and ruts extending as far as the eye could see! No problem for most of the class eights but event leader Adrian Marfell dropped six, dropping him within seven marks of Dean Partington. In class three Richard Hayward cleaned both this one and the last section to pip Sticker Martin for the class win. Tony Young was still going, despite his starter problems, powering his raucous Beetle through the mud for a resounding class win as he was so far in front he could have dropped twelve on the last one! Keith Sanders was another to do well here, his clean giving him a class win in a class five rather decimated by retirements.

The final section, called High Hope, was another new one, approached by a long, very muddy track, which was nothing compared to the section to come. It was a great section though, skirting a farmyard before an assault up a semi-surfaced track before a "chicane" and more mud. No problem to class eight but tough for the rest. Class seven was decided here, Ray Goodright (Arkley) just holding onto his lead despite dropping four. Derek Tyler (VW Baja Beetle), Murray Montgomery-Smith (Marlin) and Brian Colman (Dutton Phaeton), all cleaned it but Ray held onto his class win by two marks.

Kyrle - Full Results

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 12:54:54 GMT

Click Here

Adrian Marfell wins Tough Kyrle Trial

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 13:33:15 GMT

The tough, steep sections and the mud combined to make this a high scoring event. Unofficial; results:-

Overall Winner	Adrian Marfell (VW Special)	16
Class 1	David Haizelden (VW Golf)	99
2	Adrian Dommett (Wolseley Hornet)	54
3	Richard Hayward (Ford Escort)	64
4	Tony Young (VW Beetle)	62
5	Keith Sanders (Reliant Scimitar SS1)	76
6	Gary Browning (VW Beetle)	57
7	Ray Goodright (Arkley)	68
8	Dean Partington (DP Wasp)	23

John Parsons won Falcons Edlesborough Trial on 30 March

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 15:37:48 GMT

1st Overall John Parsons
Class Winners Robin Howard and Claire Oakes

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Derek Hibbert was out taking pictures on The Lands End

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 10:08:18 GMT

Derek is one of the best commercial trials photographers. We haven't seen him around and about for a while as he moved to Spain a few years ago. However, he was taking pictures on Blue Hills. To see if Derek has any pictures of your climb email him on derek@cortijodelzorro.co.uk mentioning Classical Gas.

New Section on Windwhistle's Bovey Downs Trial on 27 April

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 07:16:05 GMT

Draft Lands End Report

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 12:39:37 GMT

Publishing this to the blog as I go along. Input welcome, either as a comment here or by email to classictrials@googlemail.com

STARTED A VERY ROUGH TEXT

A tough but enjoyable trial despite some unhappiness about a couple of the sections.

There was snow for some on the journey to the Lands End start. A forerunner of the cold weather to come!

The first two sections were controversial for two reasons. At the Felons Oak restart the lines were very close together, perhaps as little as twelve inches. For saloons where the driver can't actually see the wheels getting inside the box it could be a bit of a lottery. Also the second board was only visible behind the first one when you had actually arrived at the restart. Very tricky. The rules were clearly defined in the route-card, no straddling, despite the pre-event debate.

Next came Beggars Roost, with its usual re-start for some classes. The issue here is that the restart box was defined by four "R" boards, off the track on a bank to the left. Very different to the diagram in the route-card. It was possible to by-pass the box and some of the non-restarters did just that. My understanding is they were marked as failing the hill. It will be interesting to see how the organisers deal with this in the results.t

With the Beggars restart being on a soft surface this caught out quite a few competitors who couldn't find the traction to pull away unless they stopped high in the box.

There was a Special Test at Crook Horn Hill before Beggars, in the same woods as the Stoney Street section which can no longer be used because of right-of-way issues. It's well worth the diversion away from Porlock Hill just for the run down into and out of the valley that follows! What a glorious tarmac rally stage that would make.

With Riverton unusable at the moment Rodneys Revenge was next on the agenda. Situated in forestry this is well known to competitors on local one day trials who tackled it on the Chariman's Trophy a few weeks before. It was a tough challenge, steep and slippery with a tough restart for class eight. There were a lot of failures in all the classes, Mike Pearson was one of many to roll backwards with spinning wheels when he tried to get away. Amongst the early numbers only Brian Partridge (Canon) and Nick Farmer (Canon-Alfa) could restart. With so many failures involving a long reverse in the dark delays soon built up.

Cutliffe Lane and Sutcombe were their usual selves. Not too problematic but always there to trap the unwary. Darracott was not to far away, with an artificial restart situated around the first corner. This time taped off to make the route totally clear.

Ted Holloway was manning the Widemouth Bay Holding Control on the beach. Fortunately he had his van with side doors and was able to shelter from the cold win blowing in from the sea. Ted was working the control with Mike Fisher who couldn't take part on his Bultaco due to an ankle injury.

Later numbers who had holdups at Beggars and Rodneys Revenge were further delayed when a truck got stuck on the cliff road, blocking the route and necessitating a time consuming diversion to Crackington. Fortunately most were Cornish starters who knew the area well.Crackington hadn't experienced the usual heavy localised rain shower and was easier than usual, despite the orange crud that had been dumped. There was an un-substantiated rumour that a fore-end loader dumped a bucket of water on the section to spice things up for later numbers!

New Northern Trial Video - Dean Partington on Sandale

Sun, 24 Feb 2008 09:12:49 GMT

Northern Trial Draft Report

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 15:12:43 GMT

Competitors left the well appointed start in Wigton on a cold, but bright and clear day, for the 16 mile run out to the first forestry section. It was to prove one of the most difficult of the event, needing plenty of ground clearance, and only six cars were to go clear, including both Giles Greenslade and Nicola Wainwright who were to finish first and second overall. Class 8 didn't feature here, as they had a difficult restart, as they did on most of the remaining sections, along with class seven on some of them. The lower classes were to enjoy a no-restart day!

Come the third section at Falcon's Crest there were only three clean sheets left, Bill Bennett losing his here and only Adrian Dommett was left to challenge the two Beetles.

Adrian's hopes disappeared at Ladyside, a horrible muddy affair, without much real gradient but a huge lump to surmount. Class eight had an impossible restart just before the hump. However, nobody told Dean Partington and he went clean as did Sticker Martin (Escort) and Dave Haizelden (Golf GTi) as well as the two battling Beetles.

Some of the morning sections were a little rough, especially Little Cockup which had a fearsome left hand bend with deep ruts. It was possible to approach this at speed. Tony Young went clean but without a skid the front panel of his Beetle acted as a mud plough, pushing it back so he couldn't open the hood.

The afternoon forestry was higher up the hillside. This meant fantastic views, less mud and more rocks, of the small loose variety. The leading cars went clear on all of them. With a more solid base the sections weren't so rutted and ground clearance became less of an issue. There were some issues on the final forestry section at Widow Hause where it was necessary for clears to reverse down. With no real ruts it was very easy to get sideways and a couple of cars came close to rolling over.

Last on the agenda was Sandale, everyone's favourite. There was another impossible restart for class eight, with seven having to join in as well. Once again nobody informed Dean Partington he wasn't supposed to get away and he went clean, being joined by Mike Chatwin (Troll) and Tristan White (Class 7 Imp).

Although the lower classes didn't have to restart it was certainly a tough section with the ruts getting deeper and deeper with every passing car. Both Giles and Nicola stopped at the two, to lose their only marks of the day, victory going to Giles on Special test times. Adrian Dommett and Bill Bennett both came out of the top but I am sure they won't mind me saying that hero status on Sandale 2008 is awarded to Harvey Waters and Dave Millar who dragged their diffs though the clag and Colin Perryman in his BMW, all showing how it could be done in a low slung car.

The day ended for many with a super meal back at the finish where competitors relaxed and told of their enjoyable day. The only cloud was an issue with tyre pressures on Sandale. They weren't checked and the feeling was this was abused by at least one competitor in class eight. Hopefully this didn't disappoint organisers Martin Willis and Chris Veevers too much and we can all return for another excellent Northern trial next year.

Michael's Northern Trial

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 14:41:55 GMT

Now I am semi-retired one of my major objectives in enjoying life is to do more trials. The plan is to do my "traditional" 3 MCC events + Clee, Clouds and Allen with Mike (Hayward) and to add some others to do with Chris, staying over for a few days to make a mini-break. The Northern was one of those. I contemplated borrowing a trailer but decided it wasn't worth the hassle. So we left home in Bromham, on the outskirts of Bedford, on Friday morning, heading north up the A1 so we could take in the views from the top of Bowes Moor on the way to our hotel, out in the wilderness near Shap, about 30 miles south of the start.

Off just after 7am on a frosty morning, not much clearing of the windscreen necessary as we were parked under a tree. The facilities at the start were fantastic. Plenty of room outside and in and a very nice breakfast.

It was about 16 miles to the first section but after that there weren't to many road miles as all but the last section was in forestry. It had a distinct track, a bit rutted but otherwise a nice blast until we spun to a stop. It was on though as both Giles and Nicola went clear. We struggled a bit on the morning sections and dropped quite a few points and got stuck a few times. We narrowly avoided a tree reversing down Falcons Crest and soon after reversed into one to the detriment of a wing on the appropriately named Little Cockup!

Our lowest point was on Lowrys where we couldn't get off the line. Having one wheel on tarmac and one on mud didn't help. On the way out we stopped Colin Biles in his Midget and warned him not to make our mistake. He didn't and went clear!

We did a lot better in the afternoon and cleared all of the sections in the final forest where we climbed and climbed to get some absolutely fantastic views.

We grounded out on the final section at Sandale but now we know the lay of the land there we will do better next time!

Had a super meal and some nice conversation at the finish before going back to the hotel. We went straight down the M6 to go home the next day. I was pleasantly surprised that the mileage for the trip was only 667, not really much more for us than the Exeter.

Northern Trial Video Playlist

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 21:45:36 GMT

Northern Trial Photo Report

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 14:38:15 GMT

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Click Here for larger Size with Captions

Giles Greenslade wins Northern Trial, Nicola Wainwright second overall

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 13:55:08 GMT

Click Here for full Provisional Results

Northern Natter

Sat, 16 Feb 2008 20:53:46 GMT

No results yet, They will be worked out tomorrow and posted on the Fell Side site on Monday. Will post a link here. I had an enjoyable day although I won't be troubling the scorer! The weather was super and some of the views magnificent. I am sure the Northern must have the highest sections above sea level!

It's just after 6am here in the Lake District

Sat, 16 Feb 2008 06:22:57 GMT

I'm driving in The Northern Trial today. Will post reports here if time permits.

Northern Trial

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 22:16:34 GMT

It's on Saturday but at 50 miles/hour it will take all day Friday to get there. Will post some reports if I can.

Exeter Final Results Published

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 07:29:06 GMT

Click Here

Cotswold Clouds Photo Report by Claire Oakes

Sat, 09 Feb 2008 09:11:29 GMT

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Cotswold Clouds Pictures by Dave Cook

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 21:11:27 GMT

Click Here to see Dave's Pictures

Adrian Dommett wins Cotswold Clouds

Mon, 04 Feb 2008 20:30:17 GMT

It was a close run thing, between Adrian and the flying Escort of Richard Hayward, but victory went to the supercharged Wolesley Hornet. Richard had to settle for heading class three and best Stroud. Emma Robbiliard won class four.

Crooked Mustard provided the usual excitement. Especially for Simon Groves whose steering wheel practically came off in his hands! The corrugated bit of the column, that is supposed to collapse if there is a road accident, sheered almost through just as Simon passed the section ends board. He was going to retire but Richard Hayward helped him stick it together with duck tape, using some spanners as splints. This enabled Simon and Tina Allaway to do Axe, where waiting at the top was Charles Hayward with a replacement wheel! Richard had also cleaned Mustard, as had Dick Bolt and Sticker Martin in their Escorts. Paul Bartleman wasn’t so lucky, failing the climb in an Escort lent by Kelly Thomas. Nicola Wainwright soon showed how it should be done, storming the summit in her Beetle, the only class four car to go clean.

New Sawmills was a new section, just before Merves Swerve. It was short, steep and more than a little bumpy. A bit too much for Stickers Escort whose diff cried enough. Sticker was all for giving up, having already replaced an anti-rollbar. Yes, he does carry a spare! However, along came the Stroud Escort contingent who weren’t having any of that and changed it in record time.

Also worthy of mention are Highwood 2 and Station Lane. Both were back to their usual form. Highwood 2 following the usual pattern of cars getting three quarters of the way up before slithering back down. Station Lane was mega-muddy, most competitors having extreme difficulty finding the valve cap under the clay went in came to pump up afterwards!

Report by Simon Groves and Michael Leete

Check out these Cotswold Clouds Videos

Mon, 04 Feb 2008 09:50:42 GMT

Click Here for Details

Ray Goodright wins Sundays Exmoor Trial

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 22:30:23 GMT

Ed Nikel retired with a broken diff.
Simon Groves was 3rd in class 3 which was won by Sticker Martin
Dave Haizelden rtd leaving Mike Collins to win class 1
Nicola Wainwright won class 4
Click Here for Full Results

Finally published The Exeter Report

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 06:15:32 GMT

http://www.classictrials.co.uk/Gas08011.htm

Draft Exeter Report

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 20:16:14 GMT

Yes, I know its late but...and yes I know its a mess with spelling etc but I will sort.

It was a very rainy night, a tough one for those in open cars and the bikers, who included Ted Holloway, riding in Class 0 on his MZ. John Parsons was nice and dry though, in his road car, as he couldn't take the start after un-resolvable lighting problems with his VW Buggy.

The rain had cleared, for a while at least, as the cars tackled Meerhay, which although it wasn't challenging is a very nice start to the competitive sections. Both here and at the next sections Gatcombe Lane the marshals had magnificent braziers going to fight off the chill of a cold night.

Into Bovey Woods and Normans Hump awaited, seemingly smoother on the upper reaches, at least for the early numbers. Things were spiced up a bit here for class three as they had to restart on the cross track, just like the yellows and reds. The section took its usual crop of scalps, including Brian Alexander, back behind the wheel after a couple of years marshalling Wooston Steep. Clinton was just up the track and wasn't very Skoda friendly this year, costing both Aaron Homewood and Philip Mitchell their gold medals.

Waterloo was David Haizelden's Waterloo this year, loosing his triple when he stopped on the old section, as did Nicola Wainwright. There were three more sections before the rest stop at Exeter services where Ted Holloway had retired, finding the road gearing of his MZ far to high for the off road sections.

Tillerton was as rough and rocky as ever, complete with its challenging restart for the higher classes. Mike Pearson was particularly pleased to get away as he had stopped in a difficult place.

There were delays at Fingle, some of the class 0 cars struggling with the ever deepening ruts on this previously smooth hill. Then came Wooston Steep, a fearsome obstacle for the early runners in the higher classes. The problem was the leaves and mud in the ruts and it wasn't until Brian Colman came along in his Dutton Phaeton that the first car blasted up. Paul Bartleman was one of his unlucky ones, spinning his triple away in the leaves.

The lower classes turned off the track before the gradient steepened, this area really cut up and became a problem for the later runners with small wheels and Bill Rosten lost his gold here.

While this was going on Hitchcombe was proving a major problem for Class 0 and afterwards Mike Oakins emerged with the only Trio. Neither Fred Gregory or Verdun Webley were successful in their Rickman Rangers, Verdun having purchased his especially for the event and Fred loosing his Trio.

Simms had been resurfaced for the event, making it a little easier this year. Nerveless it was a wonderful achievement for Steve Potter to go clear here, his wonderful Trojan getting the biggest cheer of the day.

Only the rocky sections of Tipley and Slippery Sam had to be completed before the finish at Torquay to conclude a very good Exeter Trial.

Updated the main site with some Clee corrections and event news

Tue, 29 Jan 2008 19:38:23 GMT

Classical Gas about Classic Trials by Michael Leete

Been to Coventry today to get some Rocking Horse s**t for the Dellow

Finished Clee Report over at the main site

Sun, 27 Jan 2008 09:44:10 GMT

www.classictrials.co.uk

Clee report added to main site

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 22:04:25 GMT

Classical Gas about Classic Trials by Michael Leete

Added Exeter Tillerton Pictures by Duncan Stephens to the SmugMug Galleries

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:45:26 GMT

Click Here for the pictures

Added Clee Photo Album

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 09:46:25 GMT

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Published draft of Clee Report on the main site

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 19:25:29 GMT

Classical Gas about Classic Trials by Michael Leete

Clee Sections - 2nd Loop

Mon, 21 Jan 2008 21:36:47 GMT

The 2nd loop had a very different character. Much more picturesque, more rocks and less mud. It started with a trip over The Long Myndd. It was very clear so there were some wonderful views. Its a long way down, with unprotected drops. At least when it was used as a selective in Motoring News Rallies it was dark and they couldn't see what would happen if you didn't make the corners!

Section 1 - Ratlinghope - Not particularly competitive but a wonderful long old section. It should have been followed by...

Section 2 - Phil's Folly - Unfortunately the conditions were to bad to allow this old track to be used this year. Something I have experience off when marshalling the section a few years ago. Nobody was more disappointed than John Sergeant who was first going to be marshalling at Round Oak before it was cancelled, only to arrive at Phil's Folly and find that couldn't be used.

Section 3 - Gatten's Gamble - Starting in farmer Phil Harding's yard this is another wonderful long up and over Clee sections with fantastic views crossing the summit.

Section 4 - Allez 'Oop - Classes 6, 7 and 8 didn't attempt this cleft in the hillside, made infamous by C.A.N. Mays book Wheelspin. Although it has been resurfaced since it couldn't be taken lightly and claimed some scalps amongst the lower powered cars. At the top the route followed the southern ridge of The Long Mynd before entering the forestry containing the Priors Halt sections.

Section 5 - Priors Holt 3 - Another Clee section Mike Hayward and I have marshaled, and as last year there were multiple restart lines depending on your class. There was plenty of grip for the later numbers, to much in some cases as some of the less powerful cars on low pressures found themselves bogging down. Giles Greenslade went clear for the second year on his way to winning class four, as did both Sticker and Arnie Martin in their Escorts.

Long Mynd Special Test - Nice timed rocky climb with a nifty descent where it was all to possible to overshoot the finish line. Unfortunately it was probably a bit steep for some of the lower powered cars as several of them couldn't make the climb.

Section 6 - Priors Holt 2 - Yet another section Mike Hayward and I have marshaled. Used only for Class 0 this year.

Section 7 - Priors Holt 3 - A steep climb with loose rock, demanding close attention to tyre pressures and throttle control. This was the last section for the lower classes as Strefford Wood was cancelled after 6,7 and 8 passed through and Round Oak was taken out before the cars started although this failed to get into some of the road books.

Clee Sections - First Loop for Class 0 to 5, Second Loop for 6,7 and 8

Mon, 21 Jan 2008 21:29:05 GMT

In recent years the Clee has employed a unique system where the route is two circles, forming a figure of eight with the start in the centre. The entry is split according to class. So 6, 7 and 8 do one loop first while the other classes do the other. It's a bit more complicated as class 0 have some unique sections and omit some used by 1 to 5, while 6,7 and 8 also have some unique sections. Why am I telling you this? So you understand that as a competitor in class 4 I didn't see all the sections!

Penhale's Puzzler Special Test - I will start by being sarcastic and say that the first puzzle was finding the damn thing! Fortunately one of our fellow Beetle drivers knew where it was and the rest of class 4 followed them! When we got there it wasn't so much of a puzzle as a very nice marshal told us what to do, which was to drive forwards in a circle, then retrace in reverse. Kevin Barnes didn't make it this far in his venerable Singer ADU, retiring less than a mile from the start when the cylinder head failed.

Section 10 Flounders Folly - A very slippery route though the trees next to the special test. There wasn't really a track there so there was no bottom and the wet clay was very slippery. Everyone spun to a halt in the slime. Dudley Sterry got the furthest, stopping just before the sections ends board. Eventual winner David Foreshew came just behind, making the two. Both Stephen Kenny and Mark Endley retired their Liege's here, Stephen with a disintegrating distributor.

Section 13 Easthope 1 - This is in the same complex as the old Ipikins Rock section, which wasn't used this year. It's a muddy track with some pretty deep ruts. Quite a few cars in 7 and 8 cleared the section but most who got through the ruts at the bottom OK spun to a stop as the going got more slippery.

Section 14 Easthope 3 - Attempted only by the lower classes the section started with a horrible right hand hairpin which defeated many, most of the remainder failed to surmount the deviation that lay just ahead. It was possible though, and the eventual winners of classes one to four all went clean, although goodness knows how Dave Haizelden managed it in his Golf.

Section 15 Majors Leap - Only attempted by the reds and yellows Dave Foreshew was the only clear.

Section 16 The Jenny Wind - Well known section which has been used on The Clee for many years and was trialled before the war. After the sharp right hander its straight up if you can. Most couldn't and spun to a stop on the lower reaches, way below Dave Cooks camera! Nigel Jones had to retire here with driveshaft problems and Nigel Scotford dropped out with clutch issues in the ex-Courtney Yandle Skoda. Nick Farmer had electrical problems with the ex-Tony Rothin Cannon Alfa but was able to continue.

Section 17 Harley Bank - This used to be a wonderful long track but the old route has become to easy after council re-surfacing so there is now a horrible deviation with a very tight left-hand corner which was impossible in the sticky clay.

Back home by 6

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 18:42:59 GMT

I'm back home in Bromham now, got here at 6 which was pretty early and explains why I didn't manage any live reports. There was simply no time as it was pretty much all systems go all day. With the entry split in two and going on the two loops separately its a bit hard to know what is going on outside the people running immediately around you. Lots of mud, which wasn't surprising with all the rain, causing three sections to be canceled including the wonderful Round Oak.

Will make some more notes later.

It was a wet and stormy night

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 04:44:44 GMT

One of these times when I am glad that I live on a hill in our riverside village of Bromham. The car is waiting to go. Just a question of Mike arriving. Had a message from John Rhodes to say they left Yorkshire at 2.30

Its the Clee Hills Trial tomorrowm

Sat, 19 Jan 2008 18:18:10 GMT

Leaving here at 04.45 tomorrow. I will try to make as many live reports as possible.

Collected Exeter Video together

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 10:51:27 GMT

March Hare Working Party Video 12 January in Binghams Wood

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 21:51:56 GMT

March Hare Working Party Yesterday

Sun, 13 Jan 2008 10:36:15 GMT

Falcons descended on Binghams Wood yesterday to clear the sections of fallen trees in preparation for The March Hare. In the main they weren't to bad with no major obstructions. We had finished by noon so decided to scout out and see if we could find a route for a new section. Once again it was Verdun who found some nice gradient, but obstructed by fallen trees of course. So it was Mike Pearson for the fore with his chainsaw and two hours later we had added "Webleys Wobbler" to the possible list of sections in Binghams.

The working party was Mike Pearson, John Parsons, Verdun Webley, Arnold Lane, Dave Maitland, Mike Hayward (the only one under 60!), Don Stringer and Michael Leete.

Clee Hills on 20 January

Fri, 11 Jan 2008 20:53:30 GMT

Mike and I have entered. Click Here for the entry list

Mark Worsfeld has sold his ex- Phil Potter Dellow

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 20:06:50 GMT

Click Here

More Exeter News

Tue, 08 Jan 2008 14:58:10 GMT

Class 0 was quite difficult and there was a real sting in the tail on the third section from the end (Hitchcombe I think). This was very slippery and very few cars got to the summit. Failures included Fred Gregory in his Rickman Ranger, loosing his Class 0 Trio award in the process. Verdun Webley was another Falcon in a Rickman Ranger, going down to Truro to purchase the pinto engined car just for the event when neither his GTM nor SEAT was available. Vedun failed this one as well although he hot out the top with a push from the marshals. Verdun said that car competitors were allowed to start 50m back from the section begins board but it didn't help!

Mike Pearson cleaned both Simms and Wooston but failed to get off the Tillerton restart.

John Parsons had last minute lighting problems before he left home. They couldn't be resolved so he came down to the evening meal and to spectate on Simms.

Live Exeter Trial reports

Fri, 04 Jan 2008 10:41:11 GMT

All being well I will post reports here. starting tonight. Not sure how many as I am driving so it depends on their being delays! Will post what I can. Its a busy weekend as Alistair has his first Kart race on Sunday.

The Brickhill Video!

Mon, 17 Dec 2007 19:31:54 GMT

My first go at editing a Video with the MacBook. OK, it was taken with a Mobil Phone.

Clearing the fallen Tree at Brickhill

Sun, 16 Dec 2007 23:45:13 GMT

We weren't able to use the gulley at Brickhill on last years March Hare because of a very large tree that had fallen across the track a short while before. So a small working party of Mike Pearson, JP and yours truely descended on the old place yesterday to remove it. This was no easy task as it was a big b*****d , well it was a Beech actually! Mike and John both had their chainsaws and we were lucky that there was a Land Rover there preparing for a 4x4 event the following day and he helped drag the big bits out of the way. Even so it was four hours of hard work but at least JP got some fuel for his wood burning stove!

Windows Live Spaces

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Wed, 28 Nov 2007 11:54:00 GMT

Classical Gas about Classic Trials by Michael Leete

Published Rory's Video of The Allen Trial on Classical Gas

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 12:10:33 GMT

Classical Gas about Classic Trials by Michael Leete

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Thu, 22 Nov 2007 10:11:44 GMT

Guy Fawkes 08

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The Brickhill Video!

Clearing the fallen Tree at Brickhill

Updated main site with Allen Trail Results and Pictures

Published Rory's Video of The Allen Trial on Classical Gas

Finally published The Guy Fawkes Trial Report