NEWS
TORRIDGE & DMCC
South Western Centre Inter Club Team Trial
After a hiatus of four years the Torridge Club revived the Centre Team Trial which took place on sunny Dartmoor last Sunday.
A total of twenty one teams tackled the two lap, twenty section course which is better known as a Trial GB venue in recent years.
Although some of the going between sections turned out more difficult after severe weather on Thursday and Friday, the course plotters made full use of the variety of sections with climbs, streams, tree roots and the famous open Tor.
The Team Managers needed to put a lot of thought into Team selection as the scoring system gave the winner of each class one point and two for second etc., so choosing riders in the right class was vital.
By virtue of ensuring their team of three riders had the best chance, the two Devonport Club Teams finished first and second. David Williams was the best Novice rider and was ably backed up by Finlay Clarke (Youth A) and Luke Selway-Clarke (Youth B) who also took class wins to record the best possible team score of just three points.
Devonport B saw Keith Worden win the Over 50 class with compatriot Andrew Evenden second, whilst Jon Souch also finished second in the Pre ‘65 category to give them five points.
One point adrift with six, the Moretonhampstead Club recorded a first, second and third with Colin Green winning the Pastmasters class, Kevin Laskey runner up in the Sportsmen and Neil Saffin third in the Twin shock class.
Driving overnight from the Scott Trial presentations, Billy Green won the Expert class dropping just six marks, whilst Chris Blackmore was the best Clubman Expert with twenty six marks.
Torridge Team member, Freddie Lintell was the best Clubman with thirty four whilst Paul Edworthy recorded forty seven to nab the best Sportsman award.
On the easier white route, Simon Sheriden and Nick Manuel, both riding their twin shocks for the second Moretonhampstead team tied on fifteen marks, whilst Jim Ashford took his mighty 500 Triumph to a win in the Pre 65 Class, losing nineteen marks.
Our picture shows Jim Ashford at the end of his second lap where he shed just five marks.
2023 P65 and TS CHAMPIONSHIPS UPDATE
Round 9 was held on Bob's 75th birthday, September 17th, by the Torridge club at Leasfield Farm and suffered from wet weather and flooded roads, but the entry of 12 classics still enjoyed their day. As expected Jim and Martin won their classes but Jason was a non-starter, recovering from an operation on his back. Anthony took the twin-shock A class win with Phil Wickett second.
A week later Moretonhampstead held round 10 at Drewston Woods, well known for it's big Dartmoor boulders. It was a little easier than last year, but still included some challenging sections. Jason said he was going to take it easy and not try too hard, but it didn't turn out that way. He only lost one mark to score another win, with Graham second on six. Mick Thompson, riding his new Drayton Bantam, won the pre-65 class with a loss of 3 marks. He started on the sportsman's route but found the Bantam down on power compared to his 320 Majesty and after a fall he swapped to the white route.
With 10 rounds gone and taking their best 9 scores, I reckon the three class leaders cannot be beaten. So Jim wins the Brian Trott cup for the first time, and on the largest capacity bike since the series started in 1985, a 500 Drayton Triumph. He would also get the 'Jim Alves Cup' for the best over 350cc, if we knew where it was. Martin gets the Norman cup also for the first time and Jason wins the twin-shock rock for the fourth time, equalling Colin Green. So expect the sales of doughnuts to go up in the Street area.
Tiverton are hosting the next round on October 8th and a new trophy in memory of Colin Dommett will be awarded to the best pre-65.