Welcome to the May newsletter, don’t we just love our motorsport or to put it another way, “ another Lands End Trial that I failed to start”. You really couldn’t make this stuff up, you think you have done everything correctly, no corners cut, ticked the boxes, dotted the I’s, I even bought the Beret. and somehow the lord of the gremlins put’s his bloody great foot in it and declares “you will not go to the ball (or hills).

At the beginning of the Easter week I went out in the 2cv and did some 50 or so miles handing out programs and doing the PR work, got home put the car in the garage and declared it “fit to go”. Friday morning of the ill fated day I go out to the garage to find the car won’t start, this turns into one of the longest days of my life, lunchtime with still no joy, Andy Prosser and Joe Caudle arrive to assist with the reluctant tin snail. We between us spend the rest of the day trying all manner of things to get it started, NO, at 8.00pm I’m shattered and have to phone navigator Phil to give him the bad news, he took it well but deep down he was cursing all things French and probably muttering a few  French words and I don’t mean Chardonnay. Many thanks to Andy and Joe in doing their utmost to get things going, next year !!.
To make up for our disappointment on Saturday morning Vivien and I took Phil and wife Margaret down to Bluehills for a bit of spectating, at least we were able savour some of the event. For those who were wondering the fault lay in two dodgy pistons with the rings stuck firmly in them causing a drastic loss of compression, hey ho.

A few photos from The Lands End.

Lorraine doing her official observing, making sure anyone who needs a bit of help gets it.

MARSHALLING ON BLUE HILLS 2024

Well Easter Saturday can only mean one thing !! Easter eggs ,spring lamb ?? No don’t be silly it has to be Bluehills on the Lands End.

No matter the weather come rain or shine (we’ll come to the rain later) that’s where we’ve been over the years spectating, competing or latterly marshalling.

My Grandfather in the 1950/60 s use to sell pasties from his baker’s van on this hill every Easter Saturday, always ready to grab an opportunity to earn a shilling.

Lorraine’s dad competed in 1955 on a motorbike & sidecar only to vow “never again”.

We arrived on the hill at 8am to find chief marshals Norman & Yvonne Tonkin  had already arrived, with jobs allocated, by which time a steady stream of marshals were arriving & with them the first of the many showers of the day.

By 10.30 the first bike was on the hill thereafter a steady flow followed, tired & weary some took the section in their stride others unfortunately the tiredness got the better of them, with our trusty strong marshals at hand the bikers were soon uprighted back on their way again.

Within 3 hours the first car was on the hill & made it look easy but it wasn’t long before the failures came thick & fast, with Bluehills living up to its reputation as “ the stopper”. The sight of so many competitors wearing  LNCMC hats  was lovely to see.

Around 5.30pm the queue for BH 1 was getting longer & longer, with issues on this section the decision was made to close here at 6pm.This was the time the rain came in & boy oh boy did it rain accompanied with high winds .

The queue was slowly progressing to BH2, by 7pm the light was fading fast & the weather had turned even nastier, Norman said that we should endeavour to keep the section open for as long as possible to give everyone in the queue a chance of attempting the hill, as long as being safe to do so.

Now 7.30pm and in the dark , brollies being blown inside out, in all the years this had to be one of the worst weather conditions we’ve known .The only benefit of the rain it made the hill  easier for competitors but not for marshals who were struggling to see competitors numbers & keeping the score cards dry.

At 7.45pm the decision was made to close the hill but as we drove down to close the gate to the hill the course closer was in front of us, so everyone in the queue had an attempt at the hill.

Now in the dark we dismantled the signs, fencing etc but it got so bad the Tonkin Team went back out on Sunday morning to collect the rest.

At 8.45pm (13 hours door to door) we arrived home cold very wet to a hot bath followed by a hot cuppa “ansum”.

WE know you can’t spend Thank You’s but it is always appreciated by the marshals, without these people the sport will not continue.

Would we do it again!! ABSOLUTELY YES
Thank you
Andrew& Lorraine Rippon

No Andrew isn’t being sponsored by Green Flag he’s signalling that the hill is clear for the next competitor, note the LNCMC Hi viz.

——————-What’s on

Committee meeting Thursday 16^th May, Fox & Grapes , Lifton. 7.30 pm.

Sunday 18^th May Northgate Sporting Trial at Ashleigh , Lifton. This is a great venue and a chance to watch unique sporting trials cars in action, if you are able to marshal Mike Wevill would love to hear from you 01566 784451. If you are coming to watch for the first time it will be arrowed from Lifton so just follow the arrows.

Lanson Steam Rally May 25^th, 26^th 27^th  at Altarnun, this is a big event with attractions for all the family, our club will be having a stand there, if you are able to help on the stand for a few hours it would be very much appreciated.

Testing Trial Sunday 9^th June, regs out soon.

Spry Sporting trial Sunday 15^th June, regs out in a few weeks.

Simon Oates reports on this year’s Lands End Trial
100^th Lands End Trial Friday29^th & Saturday 30^th April 2024

At last after several administrative hiccups, it was the 100^th Lands End Trial and down West it was starting from Launceston Rugby Club which is just over the River Tamar in Cornwall. A great new start point with plenty of parking and as many facilities as anyone may need – good choice. With the trial starting also at Cirencester and Popham, there were some logistical concerns about over 400 vehicles entered and taking part in the trial. Once all three starts were off (we started at 19.58 car 328), we made our way to Bridgwater Rugby Club on the pre-arranged route for the real start. We made use of the facilities here for 1 ½ hours before our start at 00.28 (or is it 12.28?) and left with the rest of our team (Oggy, Oggy, Oggy) with Simon Riddle (327, Dutton Melos) leading the way and Darren Ruby (329, BMW 318i) holding the position of rear gunner, just in case.

The weather was holding with a mostly clear sky and partial moon, so we followed the route to Fellons Oak where we joined the first of many queues and the longest I’d seen there in the last 14 years. A bit of a surprise as this year there were no restarts or Vegetable Oil for any classes. Once we completed the section, we decided that the recent horrendous weather had certainly impacted the hills condition for the worse. During the night my front passenger mudguard let go causing surprisingly strong braking to the side of the road. Lashings of Gaffer Tape was applied to hold it together for the rest of the trial.

None of the other sections overnight were worthy of mention and we topped up with fuel at Barbrook. Whilst there, we helped John & Natasha Early replace a front wheel bearing on another Liege which wouldn’t have been possible without Rob & Elizabeth Haworth carrying a spare one and a builders bolster provided by the wonderful garage (one of your neighbours has it if it hasn’t returned). We left Barbrook in daylight with most of the Class O cars in front but critically, the closing car behind. It was very slow, (you get used to long queues on certain trials) but once we were past the terracotta cat on the roof and the crocodile we knew that Beggars Roost was just ahead. Cleared by most I expect and through Barton Steep with yet another easy restart, we ploughed on towards Riverton from a different angle (normally come under the main road to access it).

We waited behind Toby Parkins & Tobi Crowthers’ Citroen Ami (class O and not the modern electric one!) for the most entertaining moments of the trial. He took off from the start and dropped off a ledge which caused most of his exhaust to come out of the side and then be driven over and dragged by a security chain all the way to the top of the hill. Why oh why didn’t anyone have their camera rolling, I’m still aching thinking about it. He retrieved the system at the top of the hill, chucked it in the back and carried on. Truly a man with the right attitude! Turns out he has a BMW 1100 bike engine in the car as well and it sounded better without the exhaust.  Easy restart duly completed by us and off to Sutcombe and long queues where again there was an easy restart. We didn’t stop for refreshments at the top as we were so far behind, so we carried on to Bradworthy and a top up of fuel at Wicketts Garage who have supported the trial as far back as anyone can remember! Next on to Gooseham Holding Control where there was no queue due to no restarts for anyone on Darracott. From Darracott we looped north on lanes that normally are used to link local sections and Wargery Wood and its restart had been put in one of these lanes. From here we joined the Atlantic Highway to Bude and then Widemouth Bay Route Check where sometimes we are held if the next section is busy.

No holdups and off to Crackington where there was only a restart for class 8. By now we were running tandem with Jonny Smith and his film crew for the Late Brake Show and they were running a Kia Picanto press car (the Pi & o had been removed) which he took great pleasure telling us that in welsh, cant meant 100 which we thought very appropriate for the trial. He said they only put a sump guard and van tyres on the car and thought they’d give it a go – what could possibly go wrong? He went on to clear Crackington, is this the next car for everyone? We managed to do the same as Jonny and crew, then on to the special test and finally Brunch stop at Wilsey Down Hotel where we decided it was time for the roof to make a brief appearance. A well-deserved break and Cornish Breakfast was had by most and we were told Warleggan in the afternoon had been cancelled due a medical emergency so we drove on to Ruses Mill for a tarmac restart on the section (normally class O & R section only) followed by another Special Test just above the section.

Once completed we followed directions to Warleggan and then on to Eddy’s Branch Line for a further queue of 1 ½ hours after it had been shortened when they decided that class O couldn’t do the section. Class O then moved en mass to Blue Hills to form another orderly queue. I spoke to some of the MG Day Trial starters from Wilsey Down who were in the queue and it turned out they had originally been told they would start at 9.00 which then changed to 1.45 pm and 6 hills to do. They were queuing for their 2^nd hill which was then cancelled and told to go to Blue Hills. That would be 2 hills for the day trial!! The section was truly muddy and slippery, but we navigated the first slope and two corners and drove towards the last slope that had caught many cars out. I kept the speed up, maybe a little too fast and took off without clearance from ground control and landed near the finish and over the line to see a lady shaking her head and saying “you’re all bloody mad”. Who are we to disagree? Car still intact (unlike quite a few), we passed 6 cars blowing up their tyres (we kept ours at 12 psi throughout the Trial) and continued with the instructions to Perranporth Holding Control.

As the rain started to build, we were told to carry on in our own time to Blue Hills. A queue much much longer than I had ever seen greeted us as did the opening of the heavens. Occupants of some of the houses were trying to get out but were well and truly blocked in by all the cars (I thought Holding Control was there to stop that?). It didn’t take long to decide it was roof time again for us but most of the other open top vehicles seemed to have their large Parasols up! (I’d forgotten to pack mine for the Cornish sun). I’d never seen so many cars in front or behind on the hills and progress was slow enough for the water snails to overtake us while we waited.

I gave Simon Riddle (from our team) a call to see how he was doing only to find he had broken his prop shaft at Eddy’s Branch Line and was at home in Gunnislake sunning himself. Eventually Blue Hills 1 was cancelled but the heroes from the gym of rope pullers couldn’t have done more to try and keep the hill open. Also, commiserations to all that cleared the hill only for it to be struck from the results. Some of the videos certainly showed near impossible ground conditions and true commitment from within the cars and externally by the marshals. The queue now started to move and as we got nearer the start we started to wake up to the extent that Steve Moir (the 24 hour bouncer) leapt out of the car and started pulling the roof off. “Whoa, Whoa” I shouted, “it’s bloody soaking and I’m knackered”, I know it would make a better picture without the hood, but who in their right mind would stay out in all of that to take a picture – more of those heroes I talked about is the answer!

Steve stopped, a little disappointed and pushed some of the poppers from the roof back in place. His enthusiasm for bouncing remained high and helped propel us off the restart and astride the finish line. Special mention to the Blue Hills team that kept the hill going and open after 7pm as mentioned in the amendments at the start. Had none of the sections been cancelled, another 2 + hours would have been added to the trial and it would have been totally unreasonable for them to have stayed open. Our other team mate and rear gunner Darren Ruby finished the trial with his suspension ratchet strapped together for all of the daylight hours of the trial and may have had a bumpy landing at Guy’s. We left for the finish at Mithian and played wing man in the dark behind one of the MG boat tails who seemed to have candles at the front and nothing to the rear. A few excursions slaloming the white lines and even up to 15 mph at one point, we managed to protect their rear end until we signed off at the Miners Arms. A horrendous trip back to Launceston with the A30 closed and then reopened after we had done a re-route. Fantastic lightening, strong winds and biblical rain are quite an experience in a Liege!

We must be thankful that personnel were prepared to step in and take the reins after last years witch hunt. An ominous task for anyone to do and especially for a new team that included some last minute key changes. Thanks to all involved for organisation, marshalling (unbelievable dedication for 10 hrs+), Land owners, venues, local clubs and anyone else involved that made the event happen.

In my opinion the Trial had to be dumbed down to ensure that everyone had a chance of finishing. This meant less or easier restarts, fewer challenging sections, a poor selection of available hills with little to challenge experienced drivers probably until Eddy’s Branch Line near the end. Expect record numbers of medals won as a result, ouch, that will hurt the piggy bank! Cancellation of sections for whatever reason will always have an impact on value for money especially if they are the harder sections. Overall the feedback in the media has been fantastic with no mention of where I felt the trial was underperforming and I respect those opinions. There is now clearly a massive difference between an MCC event and any ACTC trials in so many ways and maybe the only way to experience a true trial is to support and enter your local ACTC motor club events and compare. I do question how the MCC plan to go forward with their three Classic Trials as they seem to have lost some of their direction especially over the last 8 years which is doing no favours to the club’s heritage and its past pioneers. Maybe this is due to changing legislation, HSE and the woke brigade but I thought that last year’s LE event had improved in several areas and certainly a better selection of hills but then it had the carpet pulled from under it.
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Our chairman Simon Riddle brings us up to date.

Last month, we got the newsletter out just before the Lands End Trial, so a short rundown as it seems a while ago already! Mixed fortunes for the committee competing on the 100th edition, Simon O with (another) gold and (another) class win, Andy B was happy with his bronze on his outfit, Darren and Ashley also gained a bronze even if complete with bit of a headache and a well strapped up car to get it! Richard was a little disappointed to only be able to do a very small number of sections on the day event. Unfortunately I didn’t make it to the iconic Blue Hills as the large step at Eddy’s Branch Line put us out of the trial but luckily the section is less than an hour from home and we did get back in the dry (huge thanks to passenger Chris’ wife Jackie for coming to the rescue). John T with the worst luck though as I am sure he’ll brief us on the 2CV gremlins. Thanks to all the volunteers and marshals to put an event of that scale on. Since then we had a well attended committee meeting at the Fox who were once again very welcoming.

The trialing season begins to quieten now ahead of the summer break. Brighter evenings, a chance for other hobbies, holidays etc, that said – our spring and summer programme of events is shortly underway.

Saturday 18th May is the Northgate Sporting Trial at Ashleigh, Lifton. We had originally ear marked a new site we have been granted access to for this but a month ago the weather still wasn’t on side so it was decided to play safe with a familiar venue and run a separate small event on the new site at a slightly later date, all to be revealed in due course. Following this we will again be having a club stand and exhibiting at the Launceston Steam Rally over the late May bank holiday weekend (25th-27th). If you are free and could bring a vehicle along then we would be delighted to hear from you, no need to be a committee or club member the more we can share the weekend around the better. Then into early June will be the Carr Cup, a testing trial style event when where we can accommodate all ages and machinery. Also, we are hoping we can run another summer run, Joe has a route in mind so will look forward to that and putting a date out in due course.

All for now,
Simon R
———–

More L E from Richard Simpson
A Comedy of Errors

After one of the best motorcycling experiences of my life riding the Daylight version of the Motor Cycling Club’s 2023 Lands End Trial, I determined to spread the joy and get my two brothers involved for this year and the 100^th edition of the event.

If last year’s had been great, I could hardly imagine just how good it would be in my brothers’ company.

Ben is a former ACU Enduro instructor and British Championship competitor. These days, he is a keen mountain-biker. Mike is a former AMCA motocrosser, and currently competes in ultra-marathon cross-country running races (each event is like two London marathons back-to-back, but run up and down hills in places like the Cotswolds or South Downs). They are both considerably younger and fitter than their wreck of an older brother.

Ben already had a suitable bike: a beautifully-restored Beta Enduro. This is one of the first Beta four-strokes and has a KTM EXC 450 engine.

Mike didn’t have a bike. Then he got a phone call. An old acquaintance had decided that the time had come to sell the Honda XR600 that had belonged to his son. His son had put the bike into storage and gone off to work in Italy, then been killed when a car he was passenger in was involved in an accident.

Anyway, it turned out the deceased son had ridden the XR in the Lands End Trial many years previously, and his Dad was delighted by the prospect of the bike doing the event again.

We decided that as none of us had good lights and that Mike and Ben had never done the event before, we would just do the daylight route…now grandly named the Cornwall Trial. 

Entries confirmed, we waited for the routebook to be posted.
What a disappointment. The daylight part of the route was but a shadow of its former self: Watermain Lane, Great Grogley, Withielgoose, Trevithick,  Zelah all left out! This was starting to look like not such good value after all. I felt bad…my brothers had both invested £100s in tyres, preparation, club membership, ACU licence and entry fees, and all for what?

Six sections/tests…two of which were on tarmac!

Is this really the best that could be done for the 100^th edition of the MCC’s flagship trial? 

I put it down to the club perhaps erring on the side of caution given the horribly wet Winter. It certainly can’t have been a shortage of marshals, because a basically pointless tarmac section had been included at Ruses Mill just before the acceleration/braking test.

Determined to make the best of it we popped down to the start of the event proper at Launceston Ruby Club the night before, said hello to Lisa, went back to my house, ate, tried not to drink too much, slept, and headed off for a very civilised 8 am appointment with the scrutineers the next morning.

Over breakfast we were told that Warleggan section had been closed “due to a medical incident.” 

OK, so we are now down to three off-tarmac sections: one of which is a green lane that anyone can ride at any time. My own feelings on this are a bit mixed: I’ve been up Warleggan twice and fallen on it three times!

To my amazement, we have some supporters come to the start to wish us well. Two lots of neighbours heard the bikes start up this morning and are here to see us off. They then head off to Crackington to see some of the entrants in the main trial tackle this infamous hill.

Off we go to Ruses Mill, where there is no queue, so we are sent up the hill one-by-one. I’ve explained the process for the special test to my brothers the night before, but all is forgotten and my shouted reminders fall on deaf ears. The section is followed by the go-stop test, which I take very cautiously (recording one of the slowest times of the entire event). I stop at the top and hear the sound of first one, and then another, powerful four-stroke singles being given full gas straight up the hill.
Both brothers have forgotten to stop and have taken the whole hill as one, like it was Shelsley Walsh!

“Oh, I wondered why that bloke was waving a flag at me,” Mike muses.
There then follows a rather pleasant tour of Cornwall’s minor roads. It’s Easter Saturday, but little traffic is to be seen.

Dropping down off the moor past Minions we see a ‘domestic drama’ unfold. A young couple are climbing up onto the moor on trendy gravel bikes. The bloke in front looks happy enough, the girl behind him rather less so. As we pass, she jumps off her bike, throws it into the hedge with surprising force, and mouths some very rude words at him.

Enjoy your holiday, folks!

The recently recommissioned XR is starting to give Mike a bit of trouble with power fading away under hard throttle, so it stalls a couple of times and some other competitors catch us. He reckons he can ride around the problem, so we carry on.

The lanes leading to Warleggan are very pleasant, and we are having an enjoyable day, but this really isn’t a trial. At Warleggan, the holding area is packed with police cars and ambulances, so we replot our route by the side of the road, and head off for the traffic-calmed hell of Bodmin, which we have to negotiate before we can get to the first ‘proper’ section: Eddy’s Branch Line.

Fair play to the organisers: the route has been very well marked with ‘R’, ‘L’, and ‘SO’ boards. Of course, this can’t be done in Bodmin itself, so navigation becomes critical. I always get lost in Bodmin, so Ben takes the lead with his hi-tech GPS navigation system replacing my paper roll.

At last we are out the other side of Bodmin, and heading for Eddy’s Branch Line. This marked a turning point for me in last year’s trial: to channel Winston Churchill’s remark about the Battle of El Alamein “Before Eddy’s Branch Line I never had a clean, after Eddy’s Branch Line I never had a fail.”

It was muddy last year when we had had much less rain, so I know it will be very muddy this time. We stop outside the farmyard, and drop as much air out of our tyres as we dare. I’m down to 4 psi. While we are doing this, a stream of cars arrives and head off down the field to the start of the section at the bottom of the hill.

This is very bad news. I’m confident that the section won’t be as tight as it was last year for the cars, but they are still going to be digging holes in it. Most of the cars have stopped in the field to adjust their tyres. I urge my brothers to push past them; which they are a bit reluctant to do. In my view, it’s perfectly fair…they all came past us when we were adjusting our tyres.

It’s super-slippery. Ben gets a bit enthusiastic on the Beta 450, and spins it 360: and that’s going downhill!

We get to the queue for the start of the section. What I see makes my heart sink. There’s a tight hairpin up onto the railway embankment immediately after the start. Even with our limited view we can see its going to be too tight for all but the smallest of the specialist trials cars. The saloons and sports cars won’t stand a chance.

And so it goes. We watch a car set off, hit the outside bank, slide back with wheels spinning, and rinse and repeat under the eyes of the marshals, digging ever-deeper holes.

Why is this allowed to happen? There’s an exit route marked out, but no, the show must go on with the damage continuing until the section is unpassable.
Now it’s my turn. I charge at the embankment, hoping that the light weight and tractable power of the X-Trainer will float us through the damage the cars have done. Which we just about do…but not without a bit of ‘foot assistance.’
At the top, I wait for my brothers: Ben had to foot and Mike did a 360 on the big XR and stalled it. 

It’s a shame. This potentially great section drew complaints last year for being ‘too tight and too long’ for the car people. The MCC responded with the public sacking and humiliation of the event organiser and appointing a committee who have presided over this cock-up.

We reinflate our tyres and head for the time control at Perranporth, where we refuel. The two Betas take an almost identical amount of petrol, while the XR is a little thirstier.  

There’s one more section to do before the grand finale at Blue Hills: Lambriggan. This year it’s for bikes only as the cars didn’t like the deep little ford at the start. It’s a pleasant section, but I foot after losing a bit of rhythm at the restart.
Blue Hills next.

We arrive to find a long queue of cars ahead of us (they drove straight here from Perranporth). Blue Hills 1 (the Magic Roundabout) has filled with water, and the cars have stirred up a load of muddy slop and tracked it onto the cobbles of the very steep restart.

This has rendered it pretty much impassable, but the cars are still being sent up it, and the poor marshals are having to drag them out manually with a strap. It’s a silly, dangerous situation which gets worse every time a car passes through. Two proper sections so far, and two cocked-up!

Eventually we find ourselves at the front of the queue. Marshals aren’t supposed to discuss the sections, let alone give advice, but we are told: “Aim for the gully on the left on the exit: if you hit the cobbles you’ll fall for sure.”
I keep left, but still need to foot like fury to get up and out.

Blue Hills 2 is less challenging than last year: the chicanes have gone. I start on the left, then cross the track on a relatively smooth and shallow part to be able to take the outside line into the bend at the top. Sadly, I miss the back brake on the restart, and slide back, but make it to the top OK after more frantic footwork.

Here I am greeted by John Turner, who has failed to start the event after his 2CV decided it didn’t want to play but has come to Blue Hills to spectate.
We take a group picture at the top, and head for the finish and the pub. 
On the way home we pass what seems like most of the car entry, still heading for Blue Hills after massive and avoidable delays at the Branch Line. 

I wonder what time the Blue Hills marshals were able to shut-up shop and go home?

——————–
Tailpiece

So I didn’t get my “L E fix” but a week late I did manage to cover some of the route.

A couple of months ago I had signed up to do what was called the “Devon 150” organised by the Lambretta Club Great Britain, basically Minehead to Brixham. The first note of geography failing is that it’s starting in Minehead means unless it’s been moved it’s in Somerset. Never mind, Friday afternoon of the 5^th April I set off on the 90 mile ride to Minehead, a very pleasant ride ahead of the impending storm Kathleen, once in Minehead after a quick tour I manage to Find the Premier Inn which is my stay for the night, book in, padlock the bike and head off into town to join some friends for a few beers and a curry, standard format.

Bright and early Saturday morning after breakfast I head off up to the Rugby Club     ( the one where many a Lands End breakfasted) to do the signing in and collect route sheet, hang around for a while as two of my friends are tail end Charlie marshals whilst the other 50 or so go ahead .

So off we go on a fairly familiar route down to Porlock and up that lovely hill and across the Brendon Hills and down pass the County Gate (one of the few times I’ve seen it in daylight) , Kathleen is really blowing now which makes for an interesting ride but we wind our way down to Barbrook all in one piece, after taking on fuel I ask Richard in the garage if he has a L E signing on sheet, no he says you’re a week late (bit picky) we have a good laugh and off again, passing Kentisbury and through Combe Martin and Ilfracombe with lots of people waving to us, once through Barnstaple we take the old road (B3252) into Torrington and a pasty stop, the official lunch stop is at the Green Dragon , Northlew, so we turn off at a small road at Hatherleigh and blimey we’re almost trialling, the state of the road nearly catches us out, huge great potholes and ditches, apparently one of the riders came to grief here and another five ploughed into him but were all laughing about it by the time they got to the pub.

So onward to Moretonhampstead and across Dartmoor, and Kathleens second chance to blow us off. Despite the wind , passing the Warren House Inn was iconic it is such an amazing setting and the view was superb , as we wind our way down to Postbridge the walkers looked a little puzzled , although they might just have been getting high on the amount of 2 stroke in the air. We travelled on to Two Bridges where I peeled off and left the others to continue to Brixham, they were staying the night there and I had other pressing things to be doing on Sunday so made my way home, and just beating the rain in the process. Once home I had clocked up 240 miles which was enough to give me a severe case of “scooters arse”.

Great fun on small bikes.

Minehead Rugby club start

The Green Dragon at Northlew, strange as it may seem but in the days of Mike Karslake, Northlew was home to the Lambretta museum.

Barbrook and it’s 2 stroke invasion

That’s all for this month folks  please keep sending the contributions
billjan299@gmail.com

March 2024 Newsletter

Hard to believe a month has passed and we’re now in March, I’m still getting over Christmas, who says I live in the past. The month of February is a funny old time for the club, seemingly not a lot happening but in reality a lot is going on if only in the planning.

***********

Awards Evening

Nigel had been working overtime to make sure the annual awards evening would go to plan, it was a full house at Trethorne,. as you can see in the photos a large table of awards was beautifully laid out awaiting the freshly spruced up recipients (amazing how splendid they all looked) after a very nice two course meal it was down to Nigel and club President Warin Kelly to bring everyone to order and hand out the awards.

A selection of the winner’s photos below but a full batch of all the winners are on the club Facebook page.

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From our Chairman

A generally quiet spell of club activities came back into life last Friday, with the start of a busy couple of weeks, with our awards evening.

A fantastic attendance at Trethorne, with a two course carvery followed by Nigel’s presentation of the 2023 awards and then an hour or two of socialising. It was great to see our youngest members right through to our oldest there. Thank you to Lisa for taking the bookings and sorting the money side on the night along with her assistant Lorraine. The raffle raised over £150 for the air ambulance. 

Extended thanks to Warin and Nigel for sorting the awards and the engraving. Furthermore to Nigel for MC’ing the night as well. Again the arranging of it all is a task not to be underestimated. Our new cameraman Mr Turner too with his snappy lense, I’m waiting for the selfie with Warin to go viral! Thank you to everyone that came and made it a very enjoyable evening. I hope you all enjoyed the evening and the opportunity to chat amongst like minded people.

This Sunday is the Launceston Trial at Lew Woods, once again by kind permission of Peter Newman who has been allowing the club to use his land for well over 40 years. We have an excellent entry of 62 at the time of writing. Of course offers to marshal will never be turned down so if you’re not competing but fancy a day out on Sunday you’ll be more than welcome. The popular Proper Ansome catering are in attendance. We plan 22 sections for the bikes and 18 for the cars (slightly conditions dependent). 

There’s no respite, as on Thursday 7th we have the AGM at the Fox & Grapes. They have been very welcoming to us since we have started to use them as a base for meetings so if you have an interest in our events then please feel free to come along, a 7pm start. 

Finally for this month from me – from a club perspective it’s great to see so many active competitors of all ages in our membership now. I remember a few years ago, you’d look through an entry list on a classic trial and at best one or two of us would have Launceston down as their club. Now when I scan through the list there is  noticeably a significant number more which is brilliant, so hopefully we are doing something right and appealing to all with our events. Long may it continue and remember we are more than open to suggestions for events or activities from any of our members. 

Hope to see many of you on Sunday, where our new gazebo should be making its debut! 

Simon R

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Annual General Meeting

As Simon has just mentioned next Thursday March the 7^th is the all important club meeting, the chance to have your say in what the club does and how it does it, and who does it. The Fox and Grapes Lifton, for those who want to make an evening of it there is food available, if you can’t find us ask at the bar as they may well have put us in their hall next door.

Whilst on the subject all jobs on the committee are up for grabs, including the Editor’s job so if you think you might like to try your hand at the newsletter don’t be shy, obviously it should be someone with good IT skills and with a  reasonable command of the English language (there’s always Spellcheck) and also be prepared to get out and monitor some of our events so that there is something to report on, a chance of stardom, perhaps I’m overselling it slightly.

Forthcoming Events

Sunday the 3^rd of March

Launceston trial, the entry list is pretty much full but you could still have a great day marshalling, Nigel would love to hear from you 07902 542798.

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Simon Oates has been allowed to travel a little further.

Exmoor Trial    Sunday 11^th February 2024

Nigel Cowling agreed to bounce for the day instead of marshalling which sometimes makes the driver feel a little guilty as there was a late shout out for marshals for the trial due to illness. They eventually mustered enough willing bodies from up to 200 miles away (thank you allJ) to keep all the sections running. As we drove up in the morning and crossed Bideford Bridge, we were aware of the Spring tide and only about 2ft before the tide would touch the top of the bridge arches and it was still coming in. The forecast was variable and wet all the way up to the start at Porte Farm. Too wet to park cars, vans or trailers in the field, so we were distributed around the yards and buildings and unloaded, scrutineered and signed on for a day’s fun. With the car off the trailer, I decided to put the roof up to keep the worst of the rain off the occupants and let the tyre down to 8 psi. Running as 45, we started at 8.45 and on to Porte Farm 1 (1) with a sharp left into the section and up a slippery track. On the corner I didn’t judge it well and was pushed wide hitting one of the markers and then struggling to the top slipping the clutch to keep moving all the way. Did the marker count? I didn’t see anything in the regulations so assumed it was OK.

I think the ACTC rules for 2024 says markers don’t count unless the regulations state otherwise. I’ll put my neck out and say that I think it should be the other way around with all markers counting unless stated otherwise. If they don’t count it could be tempting for some competitors to knock them over if you can get an advantage on a section and that could be all the markers without any penalty! One section over and I’m controversial already. Next section Porte Farm 2 (2) was further along the ground with a restart for most classes. Up a slippery bank and off the restart with little problem. Looping around the same tracks, we made our way to Porte Farm 3 (3) with a restart only for class 8. Only 4 of the 12 class 8 cars cleared the hill and some didn’t get to the restart. When our turn came I just gunned right towards the hill and bounced off the left bank back into the hill, struggled through the first bit with clutch being ridden and then managed to keep going through the restart markers to the top.

Quite relieved to get there which no other class 7 car managed on the day. Tyres pumped up to 14psi for the road and off to Loxhore Cott (4) which was a sunken track and bridleway which only stopped one bike at the start. We also took the opportunity of taking the roof down as the weather improved. Once through the section we waited for Alex Gray in his Fugitive to try and keep the class 8 cars in front. He was having trouble with the engine and kept fettling it throughout the day but managed to complete the trial with a creditable 11^th overall for a novice. Further up the road just before Becotts Lane (7), they had to stop again and insisted we all carried on. Tom Walker in the class 8 Liege stayed and helped (Stroud Team mates), both continuing but mixed in with class 6. The section was potentially tricky especially for the bikes but all cars got up.

On through the lanes to the woods and Stoodleigh Stream (8) where I rolled back on the restart last year. No such problems this year and around the tight right bend to the finish. Following the track through the woods (well actually most of the woods has been clear felled) and on to Stoodleigh Steep (10) and a lower restart which we cleared with more riding of the clutch to the top, to then reverse down and out to the next hill Clockhay Climb (11). A quick blatt up the section which all class 7 & 8 cleared. At this point we were unbelievably still clear (along with 4 class 8 cars), the sun was trying to shine and a couple of kites decided to show off in the sky. We made our way across country to South Molton and a refuel at Rogers Garage (pasty, drink and some mini eggs for dessert). The stop here gave time for a good old chitter and an opportunity for some of the morning marshals to move to the afternoon sections for us to continue playing in the mud. To the next section Holdridge Hell (12) which had a tricky lower restart for class 8, up a muddy bank with tree roots thrown in. Four class 8 cars were successful, so well done Paul Merson, Tom Walker, Thomas Jones & Jack Selwood.

The higher restart was failed by us due to a tree root just at the wrong place, but there was one exceptional result by Dave Haizelden (class5) in his Scimitar who completed the restart. We watched and listened to the class 8 cars on the next hill Holdridge Hill (13) which was pure clay. None got higher than a 6, so I thought I’d drop to 4psi and blast the hill. “What happened was”, not a lot. The car just refused to rev and pull, maybe because of too much grip and not enough power but we managed to struggle to the 8. The tyres were then pumped to 14psi for the road and on to High Bray (14). Last year we managed to clear the restart after a late stop (didn’t see the R markers) so it shouldn’t be a problem. WRONG, rough as rats to the restart that was lower down the hill. I should have stopped on the right but kept high to the left and no matter how much Duracell bouncing Nigel did, we were stuck good and proper. Having failed we dropped back a few inches and drove off up the hill, but it wasn’t over yet. After 15 to 20 yds, I managed to hit one of the rocks so hard that the drivers front tyre lost air straight away (I could put my thumb straight through the side wall) but we continued through the section for about half a mile until we found somewhere safe for cars to pass and relatively flat.

That is the first puncture in the Liege in 33 trials and I don’t think an inner tube would have saved us. The front tyre was on 12 psi which is pretty standard for the road in this car. Since I have been adding weight (64kg this week) over the back wheels this year (3 trials), I’ve buckled two wheels badly and now a puncture, I guess it’s got to be expected! Once we had changed the tyre we moved on to the Bentwitchen Test (OT 1) and manages a time of 14.14 seconds. We then followed the lanes to Floyds Bank (15) where 6, 7 & 8 went on the right hand track. The more cars that went through, the more slippery the section got. In retrospect I should probably stayed as high to the right in fresh ground and knocked all the markers over (a bit tongue in cheek) but I didn’t and slid sideways failing to pass the last 4 markers. That was four failures and points dropped in a row, as they said at school all those years ago, “could have done better”.

It was great to see Charlie Merson taking video of the section with his arm in a sling and grin on his face as we failed miserably!  Quarter of a mile further up the hill was Cross Lane (17) which needed commitment to clear the rough terrain. On past Simonsbath to Scoresdown (18) (with two of the What3Words being gobblers.dribble!!) and a restart for 7 & 8 which caused no problems. The last section was Beggars Roost (19) also with a restart for most classes which again was pretty uneventful. With the last section completed we drove to the finish at the Old Station House Inn, signed off and had a swift one (0%). Weather and ground conditions were truly variable which made a massively challenging and enjoyable trial. Route instructions were clear and marshalling excellent. At the end of the day we managed a class 7 win and 7^th overall behind all those class 8 cars.  I’ve just spotted some drops of oil under the back of the car – Oh dear, more fettling is required!!

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Willing Horses by Richard Simpson

Trialling in a 2CV

Before the years of PSA corporate blandness and common platforms, Citroens always seemed as though they had been designed by an engineering genius who had never seen a motorcar, but had heard about them, and was determined to build one that could beat all comers in a particular niche market.

Hence, we had wonderful creations like the DS (Goddess) designed to whisk a French family and their luggage across Europe equipped with ‘magic carpet’ hydraulic suspension and headlamps that could see around corners. And the 2CV (two horses), which was designed to carry four French farmers wearing hats, and a basket of eggs, across a ploughed field without breaking any of the eggs!

The latter’s unique qualities would appear to make it ideal for use as a trials car. It comes as standard with the world’s cleverest car suspension, and really not much else. You don’t have to strip it out to make it into a trials car, there’s nothing in it that isn’t essential anyway. And given it’s built to drive across fields, there’s not a great deal more needed in the way of modification.

Hence, one has appeared in John Turner’s garage as a replacement for his much-loved Dellow. And having suffered for a night and a day in the passenger seat of the Dellow doing the Lands End Trial, the idea of doing the one-day Chairman’s Trial in a car with proper seats and a roof seemed quite appealing. I might even still be able to walk at journey’s end!

The roof was very welcome, because after rain all the previous night, the downpour continued all the following day. Even with the roof, we still finished with a pool of water in the front footwell. Over-vigorous ‘fording’ of floods caused water to rise up through the heater vents and hit us in the face. Hilarious!

The day got off to a flying start when we arrived at the venue to be told that the scrutineer had drunk too much cider the night before and was still in bed. We retired to the cattle market café to await our start time, only to be told that the motorbikes had all left, and we were the first car away so there was already a queue behind us.

The 2CV clattered heroically out of the car park, and I used a high-tech navigation aid John had fitted: a GPS trip meter accurate to 0.1 of a mile.

It was brilliant, I don’t think we missed a turning all day. Just reset read the distance to the next junction in the roadbook and start looking when you are within 0.1 of a mile of it.

The trial itself was relatively straightforward: some of the sections had been quite rightly cancelled because it was so wet, and most of what was left was at least partially driveable.

Although the 2CV’s air-cooled flat-twin engine would run out of puff on the steeper climbs, the suspension did an excellent job of maintaining traction and a relatively smooth ride. Just for the record, the 2CV’s engine output is 29 hp, less than that of most of the motorcycles taking part in the event!

We did end up with a wheel in a ditch on one of the lanes between sections, but the crew of a following BMW kindly helped us to lift it out. To celebrate, John drove over my foot!

Only once did we actually get stuck on a section, and that was one that defeated most of the other cars.

We were told that we would be towed up by a tractor, and then that the tractor wouldn’t start. So we sat and watched as the rest of the field tackled the section with limited success, churning it up all the more.

Finally, they got the tractor started; A Renault tractor. No doubt it had gone on strike, faced with the prospect of having to recover a Citroen. It pulled us to the top the hill to the amusement of on-lookers.

Having gone from first car on the road to almost last, the remaining sections were badly rutted and a bit too much for the little 2CV. But it got us to the finish, having used a tiny amount of fuel, pulled up some horribly steep inclines, and never missed a beat.

I can confidently say that we won Class One. I confess we were the only car in class.

We didn’t have a basket of eggs with us, but John and I both wore hats because of the rain. Oh, and I could still walk at the end of the day. Citroen’s design brief fulfilled, I think!

John thought he’d ditch the car but I finished up washing my socks after he’d run over my foot!

For Sale.

Alternator I bought this a couple of years after converting the Dellow from dynamo, the idea was to carry it on long distance events in case the one on the car failed, as it happens it did several events but never got used so in as new condition.
First £30 buys it
J.T. 07971 249783

The Bikers on the Holsworthy Chairman’s Trial found it muddy as well !

Tailpiece or was it a wise move

Having got the 2CV in a reasonable stage of fettle it seemed a good idea to maybe enter a one day event, AHA the Holsworthy Chairmans Trial is on the horizon let’s give it a go. I summoned Richard and he was up for navigating so the entry was pinged.

I should have known better really, it has rained virtually solidly since the beginning of the year but so what let’s give it a go. I don’t want to steal anything from Richard so I will just add a  photo although I was stunned to having won the event “outright”, well I think so as I did have the highest score and as trialling is comparable to cricket when it comes to scoring I must have, anyway we survived and are still able to laugh about it.

That’s all for this month,  please send contributions to   billjan299@gmail.com

December 2023 Newsletter

Blooming heck, December has started with a chill, all of a sudden we have to accept it’s Winter, mind you I was “up North” in Derbyshire last weekend and they had a proper frost now that was chilly, I’ll put up with being a woosie southerner if we don’t have weather like that. Last night we had a committee meeting down at the Fox & Grapes, Lifton, a good turn out of members including Nick Symons who has dipped his toes in to being a committee member, well done Nick.

All the usual matters of committee business were chewed over, such as dates of events for next year and the purchase of a new Gazebo complete with club branding for use at shows etc, somewhere to hide from the rain or sun depending on time of year.

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Simon Oates as always keeps us posted on recent events he has completed so here is his account of the Tamar Trial.

The 76^th Tamar Trial  Sunday 22^nd October 2023

Liam Hartley arrived just after 8am and was raring to do his Duracell bunny bouncing for the day (he just bounces forever!). He had ridden his motorbike down and his ‘waterproofs’ were soaked through after he hit one of those tropical showers! Off to scrutineering at Proper Ansome Cafe and a start at 9.17. A great turnout of 46 bikes and chairs along with 36 cars. A dry start and off to Petherwin Old Hill (1) and a restart for 6, 7 & 8, catching a couple of class 8’s. Next on to the first timed Special Test 1 at Lewannick Down. ‘Front wheel on Line A.

Forward with all wheels through Line B. Reverse with all wheels back behind Line B. Forward, straight through Line C and stop astride Line D. I half watched Bob Blackman in his Arkley do it in front of me. It shouldn’t be hard to do unless you’re me where I failed to register the Line B and only used Line C – Failure of test 1 and a bollocking from Liam (well it was worse than that really!) Bowing my head in shame, we made our way over the moors which were looking at their best in the Autumn sun to Warleggan (2) and 14psi and a restart which we managed to clear to our relief. On through St Neot and Wild Boar Lane (3) for another high restart on the slab of slate which dropped 3 points (all class 7 were caught out here and half of class 8). Once at the top we toured on to Watermain Lane (4) where we were greeted by Anna Robinson at the start with David Robinson on the restart, hanging like tinsel on a Christmas tree in the hedge!!

We saw his flag drop (or was it rise?) and cleared the section. A short lane dash on to Lestitha Well (5) which had a few interesting crevices in the lane down to the start. A tricky deviation in the middle of the section made sure everyone was awake and a restart for class 8 that caught a few out. The bikes went on to Ladye Park (6) with a best score for bikes of 3 and not one managed a clear (sneaky little organisers). The cars moved on to the second Special Test 2 at Waylands which we managed to complete without incident! (only one B line in the middle).

Out of the test and through Pensilva, Callington and right towards Harrowbarrow. Right just before the village to Barrett’s Mill (7) with a restart for all classes which everyone cleared apart from a few unfortunate bikes. We then drove on to Tank’s Terror (8) which was cleared by 5 bikes and only 1 car, driven by the legend known as Dean Partington. We managed a 2 and were well chuffed with that (steep grass, muddy and tiered bank with a twist). Time Control and refreshments were just up the road at the Tamar Valley Donkey Park where we were held for 30 minutes. Once we’d chatted to the donkeys, we were off to Horse Bridge and the woods we had first used last year for four brand new sections. The Twister (9) and The Quarry (10) were twisty and slippery and a true challenge. Next was The Slates (11) with a restart for class 7 & 8, followed by The Firs (12). 

All tight and testing amongst the trees and overgrowth. 17 points dropped here which shows how tough it was although Dean Partington with Duncan Stephens as wing man only dropped 1 point on the four sections. Both Keith Sanders and Matt Facey’s class 5 cars also did the impossible and only dropped 6 points each within the wood sections – fantastic driving. Conditions dictated that the early cars had a distinct advantage on the day but that’s trialling! A few later cars had trouble finding their way out of the woods where maybe some of the many arrows had been knocked down with all the slipping and sliding! Out of the woods and across Horse Bridge and right towards Lee Quarry (13) with restarts for classes 7 & 8.

A truly tough section with only two class 8 cars clearing the section, all the rest of the cars spinning like a top and failing any further upward motion. A mile further up the road was Angel Steps (14) which was levelled out a bit with a digger last year and we feared could have ruined the hill. Fear not, it’s still a formidable challenge especially on 14 psi for us. We were stuck in a cloud of tyre smoke for over a minute making miniscule progress off the top restart (couldn’t see the markers or marshal) and made it to the 3. Liam was well on form with some up and personal bouncing to infinity and beyond. Disappointed, we drove on to Lew Wood 1 (15) to drop a further 3 points on tree roots off the lower restart. Liam was not happy!!

Further on through the woods to Lew Woods 2 (16) where we managed to clear the section. The bikes had a bike only section at Harts (17) which only 3 bikes cleared. On to Lifton and Park Impossible (18) where we were meant to be on 12 psi, but when I asked the starting marshal he said there were no tyre pressure limits. It’s a tough section to finish on at the best of times and we got away off the restart but were stopped by the hill just before the 2. Not a normal place to stop the cars! I have to mention here that Phil Thomas ably assisted by Keelan Hancock in ‘Fathers Dutton Melos’ were the only car to clear the section. They also had cleared everything from Angel Steps which truly took some magical skills.

Off back to the finish at the Frog and Bucket in South Petherwin and signing off.  Unbelievably we managed to come second in Class 7 and dropped 35 points, 6 behind class 7 winner Phil Thomas (29 points). Overall winner was the red hot Jack Selwood ably assisted by Abbie Jeffery in their Class 8 DP Ford special. Class 8 dominated the top 4 positions with a stunning 5^th for Keith Sanders in his Class 5 Reliant Scimitar (it really does have 4 wheels Dell Boy!).

The bikes had a 3-way tie on 17 points with John Reeves pipping Kevin Miller and Tristan Barnicoat. Steve Urell and Julie Williams (did she have a stuffed donkey in her pocket after lunch??) had a fantastic trial for 6^th overall and a win on 3 wheels.  A truly fantastic trial with a great mix of new and old sections, giving a rest to sections used in previous years. The weather made the route between sections fantastic and showed Cornwall at its best. Route instructions were clear and concise, marshals were legends and land owners so much appreciated.

The biggest THANK YOU must go to SimonR, NigelC, AndrewR and JanC  plus all their behind the scenes team for organising my Favourite Trial of 2023 so far despite my poor showing. This is what club trials are all about with sections that are capable of stopping all classes with tyre pressures, deviations, roots, restarts, other sneaky means etc. It’s rare to see a clear round on this trial, maybe that’s why it’s called a trial and long may it continue.
                                                                      
John Hadwick. I received a sad telephone call on the 3^rd of November from Polly Hadwick to give Vivien and I the news that John Hadwick had sadly passed away. John had spent the last ten years battling with cancer, despite being constantly in pain he never complained, whenever I asked him how he was the reply would be “I’m alright John”.

We first met John and Polly on a Lands end trial in the early to mid 2000’s, ending up sharing dig’s with them and several  other competitors  in a couple of over crowded hotel rooms (I use the term Hotel loosely) near Zennor. From then on we always kept in touch, John was a very clever engineer working on everything from trials and race cars to reboring the engines for the local Council dustcarts, John and I would occasionally go off to an event together spectating, we would be walking around the pits and he would stop me and say “fancy that they’re using Vauxhall steering gear on that” such was his knowledge, meanwhile all I could do was admire the carburettor set up and nod.

The photo below was at the top of Bluehills on the 2007 Lands end Trial. Left to Right  Rosemarie and Ray Goodright,  John, Mike & Pat Gomm, far right J.T. the two ladies in the foreground are  Polly and Viv T.   Happy Days 😊

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Calendar of Events   

10th of December   The Ron Beer Sporting Trial which is a round of the ASWMC to be held at Ashleigh , Lifton , Devon.  Once again we are needing marshals so if you are able to help Mike Wevill would love to hear from you, tel 01566 784451.Have a day out watching those strange (to some) little sporting trials cars in action with their passengers acrobatics putting their weight where needed.
 
January 5^th/6^th is the date for the annual long distance  MCC Exeter Trial , last year it was floods, will it be the same again or icy roads, who knows but there will be a lot of our own club members out there doing their best to defy all that is thrown at them.
 
A little way off but a date for the diary, February 23^rd for our annual awards evening, more info to follow.
 
Thursday 7^th of March is the club AGM , have your say in what goes on in the organising of events.
 
Sunday 3^rd of March is the Launceston Trial.
                                               

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Get well soon. Bouncer and general club supporter Liam Hartley is somewhat under the weather at the moment, hopefully he will be out on the hills in the not too distant future.
 

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From our chairman
 
The last newsletter of 2023 so I would like to take the early opportunity to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and to thank you all for your support in any capacity of our events during the year. No events of our own during November but we do have one final event this year with the Ron Beer Sporting Trial at Ashleigh near Lifton on Sunday 10th December as ever any offer of marshals for the day would be most welcome.

We had our last committee meeting of the year last week and I’m pleased that we have added another active competitor to our committee with Nick Symons being co-opted on. We’ll be looking to run a full programme of events next year similar to this and I feel that the club ends the year in a strong position. Just a little reminder that subs from the 1st January will have a slight increase to £12 and to £2.50 for all ancillary memberships.

Thanks again to all for 2023, here’s hoping 2024 is a good year to look forward to.

Simon R

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Mr Oates is back again with his account of the Allen Trial, take it away Simon.
 
                   The Allen Trial  Sunday 26^th November 2023

A late start number of 68 saw us leaving the Bull Inn in Hinton at 9.40, so a reasonable start time from Cornwall in the morning. The first section was Tog Hill (1) and was a straight forward climb to break us in and maybe a false bit of confidence. On to Bitton Lane (2) for a yellow restart on 12psi for ourselves. All cleared and no problems yet. 7 miles on to Fairy Hill Observed Test 1 for a downhill right slippery bend to all wheels through the B boards, Reverse all through again and a short blast to astride the C boards in 19.5 seconds, not too tardy! A couple of hundred yards on was Fairy Hill (3) where classes 6 & 7 (10psi) had a restart on the bottom muddy corner. Class 8 could drive through our restart and have their own higher up the hill (I thought it looked easier than ours).

The previous cars and drizzle had not improved the traction at the restart. We fought as best we could and struggled to move forward for a 5. Impressive to see Paul Watson in his Imp cleared the section and he wasn’t that far in front of us. As we left the section I could see more room wider on the restart that might have helped me. A mile along the roads we came to Big Uplands (4) (Byeway Open to All Traffic) a long rough, slippery and stoney track with a restart for classes 6, 7 & 8 around a sharp left bend. No problem and cleared fairly easily. 7.5 miles on to Guys Hill (5) (BOAT) with a notoriously hard restart on 10psi. Restart for classes 6, 7 & 8. There were 6 clears in 1 – 5, only Dean Vowden cleared in class 6, 4 out of 18 class 7 cleared and 6 class 8 failed. Luckily we snuck off the line to infinity and beyond!

On for a further 10 miles to Travers Hill (6) (BOAT) which was a track on the side of a steep wooded hill overlooking Blagdon Lake  Slippery and rough to the top with a restart for classes 7 & 8. We stopped at the top of the line and nearly slipped back over a root, but got away with it. Most cleared the section. Lunch was at the Chew Valley Lake picnic area. The sausage and chips were tasty and consumed in no time at all. We turned right out of the picnic area and on to the next section Burledge 1 (7) (BOAT) where the section was split in two with a restart on Burledge 2. 5 miles on we went into Fry’s Bottom Wood and past Fry’s Bottom 1 (8) on the left that was only for Class 8 and only cleared by 5 cars.

The rain was now starting to change the ground conditions for the worse. Observed Test 2 which was a quick blat from the ‘A’ boards into a box over the ‘B’ board with all wheels, reverse all wheels over again and astride line ‘C’, 15 seconds flat was good enough for me. It’s always fun if you get it right even with 40 bhp! Up the track to Fry’s Bottom 2 (9) which was a zig zag through the muddy undergrowth to a restart on a sharp muddy corner and around a tree. Fairly technical and good fun. 100 m further on, we came to Fry’s Bottom 3 (10). While we were waiting Andrew & Lisa Dams arrived in their Peugeot 106, beaming from ear to ear.

It appeared the restart marshal had jumped out and stopped him for the restart even though he didn’t have one. He then pulled away, went around the tree and cleared the section. Wow some achievementJ. The section was a wiggly weaving woodland track to a restart for Classes 6 & 7 on a bank with little grip and a sharp right up a clay bank. So little grip after the restart and no chance of turning up the hill for a clear. Further into the woods we went on to, you’ve guessed it, Fry’s Bottom 4 (11) which was a nasty little climb through tree roots after a sharp right turn in wet clay.

Class 8 had not done the previous section and had a restart around the roots on this one. None of the class 8 cleared the section but Thomas Jones in his Ford Snipe Special managed a 1. The last wet section John Walker (12) was a further 13 miles away and we put the hood up on the car enroute to reduce the precipitation in the car. The rain nearly stopped before attacking the long narrow, stony, rough and slippery section which was preceded with a dip in a swollen stream (to clean the car off?) before covering it in mud again on the way up the section.

Throughout the trial, all marshals were so helpful, the route was clearly marked at junctions and the venues welcoming. THANK YOU ALL for making the trial so enjoyable and friendly. May be a few changes for next year to rest some sections, add some new to keep the event fresh?

Provisional results show two amazing clear rounds by Rob Holden in his re engine BMW in class 3 and David Haizelden re finding the grip after the Tamar Trial in his Reliant Scimitar in class 5. David pipped Rob by some 8 seconds on the combined test times and wins the Allen Trophy. We eventually managed 2^nd in class 7 after Travers Hill was corrected to a clear.
 

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For sale
 
Acewell 258 mini dashboard computer. This compact unit does speed (mph), trip,clock, fuel level and more. Primarily aimed at the motorcycle/ATV market but can also be used for a car.I bought this for the 2CV but it’s not quite what I’m looking for , comes complete with wiring and set up instructions. Buy it new for around £100 inc postage, this one’s only a few weeks old, yours for £30.  07971 249783

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Tailpiece

So here we are at the tail end of another year, our committee has worked hard throughout the year to put on events which we hope appeal to our members, we know we don’t always get it completely right  but in general I think we do ok, doing our best to cater for all aspects of motorsport be it on 2,3 or 4 wheels and also putting on events to include our youngest members, always good to see them enjoying themselves, the smiles tell it all.

The next newsletter will be at the start of 2024 and an opportunity where  we will be able to do it all again, so on behalf of the committee it’s Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
 
Keep the contributions coming,        billjan299&gmail.com

Welcome to a bumper edition of the July newsletter, the bad news is that we are already into the second half of the year, fortunately the good news is that there’s still plenty of events ahead for us all to enjoy. I have to apologise to Bob Blackman, Bob sent in the photos and copy last month of Adrian Booths birthday celebrations which I had forgotten to thank Bob for, now sorted. You may recall I mentioned that Mike Wevill was going on his epic cycle ride across Scotland, so here’s his account of it.

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OLD GIT CYCLES SCOTLAND or
WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO NEXT THEN ?

It all started after I had completed the South West Coastal Footpath Walk –

‘What are you going to do next then?’. Reply after a few glasses of wine over family dinner was Cycle Lands End to John O Groats. Then on sober reflection I back pedalled so to speak with some justification-

1)I had already cycled Lands End to Bristol on a tandem more than 20 years earlier with my eldest son Richard , there seemed little point in covering same ground again.

2)Even in retirement there are time constraints.

3)The bit from Bristol to Gretna did not seem that interesting.

Therefore, I started to settle for the length of Scotland (400 miles) in 8 days.

Ironically, I fell on a guide book (End to End) in the Oxfam bookshop in Tavistock so my fate was sealed. Initially I had an offer of companionship and support vehicle from a fellow Sporting Trialler – Stewart Stamp. Stewart is about 10 years younger and a serious regular cyclist, furthermore there is much merit in going at your own pace. In the event Stewart was recovering from an operation at the time I could fit in. Then came a breakthrough at another family dinner (more wine) Ben my youngest son announced he had excess holiday to be used up by the end of June  would be happy to drive my car as support vehicle & play Golf each day. I purchase another Guidebook & using a combination of both books formulated a route of approximately 50 miles a day  organised accommodation in advance. I also armed myself with 2 OS maps(scale1:250000). No fancy hi tech aids. I had been generally been cycling about 30 miles a week and got into a 6 week training regime, I eventually got up to 54 miles in a day and approximately 150 miles a week. I now think a little longer training would have been beneficial.

Initially, I had no thoughts of raising money for Charity. But then I thought if I could raise a little I might as well. I set up a Just Giving page; put up posters around town & the village with donations going to RNIB (Royal National Institution for the Blind). I also locked a Sooty collection box to the bike with a poster & parked the bike prominently at stops wearing my bright pink RNIB T shirt. This was quite successful in generating interest & produced useful donations of about £60. Sooty kept smiling and seemed to enjoy the ride.

I marshalled equipment – hot, cold and  wet weather gear and checked the bike over and fitted new brake disc pads. The bike was a relatively new Giant Any Tour 1 with a 625 watt battery giving a up to 75 mile range locally. In no time departure day 17 May was on us & Ben drove to Carlisle. Next morning he dropped me off at Gretna Green to cycle 40 miles to Moffat (nice easy first day) & he played golf at Lochmaben on route.

Friday involved a 50 mile ride to the outskirts of Edinburgh. Uneventful as in the first 35 miles I did not pass a shop, pub or café. But at Carnwath generated much interest & generous response when I stopped at a popular bikers Café. I did get a little lost in the urban run into Edinburgh when I had to deviate from guidebook to the prearranged hotel but still arrived before Ben who had played Golf at Pebbles. Next day was a bit tricky getting out of the suburbs of Edinburgh and over the Forth Road Bridge (This Old Bridge is just for pedestrians, cycles, buses & Taxis) which is 44 metres above the water. A comfortable trip to Perth followed. However on reaching Perth encountered the tricky matter of negotiating city (off guidebook) to find Hotel. It is amazing that on asking apparently local people for  directions I would be told totally diametrically opposed routes. In the event I trusted my instincts crossed the river & headed north. Problem was when I arrived at pre booked confirmed accommodation there was a sign up stating ‘Closed until next week’. I phoned the number & got a recorded response ‘closed no apology’. Easily sorted with modern tech as I was quickly able to fix accommodation at a Holiday Inn Express in northern Perth on route.                                  Part 2 next month……..

Mike at the start of his epic cycle ride and one of his faithful supporters !

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For sale 1972 Escort Mk1 ex trials car, as pics, solid + old mot’s  tax exempt £8,000
Contact Ken Bassett 07845 951541

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Whilst on the subject of vehicles for sale my attention was drawn to what the unscrupulous will get up to when you are at an auction or a show. There have been instances recently where trackers have been fitted to trailers and vehicles in order that thieves can track you back to your home and then steal your beloved vehicle/vehicles at a time when it suits them, the advice given is to check the underside of a vehicle before setting off for home as a way to deter thieves.

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The Flora Classic Trial, Sunday 30^th April.

A conversation was struck up between myself and Simon Oates on would I like to drive the Liege in this year’s Flora Trial? Love to I replied , so that was that (have to say it’s one of my faves) as the time grew closer I have to admit I was thinking what have I committed to, all I could think of was Frasiers Wood, and reversing down those 2 sections if failed!

The day arrived and weather ok, Simon picked me up and off we go, arrive at the start, The Star Inn, Vogue, St Day. Right says Simon you can drive the car off the trailer, get used to it, having done so a quick drive around the small paddock, that will do I said, in to control to sign in and get our numbers, say hello to those I know and chat with a few of the other competitors, there’s three in our class so no pressure, 2^nd in class and inside the top 10 was my aim.

At the time given or more precisely you can go now along with the other car competitors, we set off for our first section, Simon reading route notes, me thinking “know where were going for section 1 , Gareth White had said a few minutes earlier he knew where he was going “home territory”, so we all followed, turned left, I’m thinking this is wrong or does he know an easier way, at the bottom of the road at the junction he turns around saying in passing “wrong turn” should have been straight on , I know I thought.

A few minutes later we arrive at the first of three sections Carn Climb 1,2,3, these I had either watched or had been on before (1) tyre pressures down ( my navigator decided what psi we would be on for each section) section cleared yes, the trip meter had failed so few marks up already (2) Through  trees then a straight up climb , rev up and go, away we went only for my foot to slip off the accelerator pedal, that will be a 5 then. The Imp faired better, damn, now the nerves hit me. (3) across a field on a track to the corner where an instruction’s read – go along, sharp left , up and out, well that’s the plan, we had already watched one of the quads tip and roll, Gareth W had informed me, not too tight when turning, large hole on passenger side. Ok cheers I said and off we went, get to the turn but car decided it wanted to go straight on, so I stopped before hitting the marker, 5 scored, damn. Oh well early days, next it was on to Dinky’s special test and sections 4 & 5.

The special test was in the quarry, brilliant but not as quick as Simon O last year but still a good time. Dinky’s 4 my first restart on granite stone and Bluebells , this I remembered from last year, note, front wheels in the box, bring up the rev’s and away up over and along and out, clear, YES , Dinky 5 was over the other side through bracken and granite boulders, again going well but car didn’t want to turn, so again stopped before hitting the number 3 marker. Section 6 Old Stoney this one I knew where I was going and what to do, my navigator reading me the route and only for me to say “we passed that a mile back” (funny how certain things stick in your mind) . The section is on a bridleway, restart no problem Yvonne and Norman Tonkin our marshals, on the command “go” off we went , stopped at Norman’s restart rev up and clear , this restart malarky is easy, follow the road back the way we came over flyover and follow instructions to 7 Todpool, Gwennap Pit,  I believe.

This section I’ve seen video of saw knew where the restart was, medium climb on very loose stone & slate, on instruction go only to find restart cancelled, but another clear. Next section (8) Wrinklin Lane restart classes 7/8 , on way to this section we had to go through a ford which I took at full pace sending the water everywhere, much to the annoyance of my navigator, my reply was it’s what you did to me last year. Anyway Wrinklin Lane is up the track and then onto a slate slab ¾ of the way up for the bikes they have to keep right over some nasty stone steps and large tree roots, well as much as I tried we just slid on the restart, whereas the Imp, no problem, so that’s a 7 then. The next section was the last one before the lunch stop has to be my favourite of all the trials I’ve ever marshalled or competed on (9) Dave’s field , special test.

You start in one field, go over the hedge following the taped track over two jumps, turn across the top of the field , turn left over two more jumps, chicane, right turn and back over hedge and stop astride line. The start marshal was a young lady probably 4/5 years old, “go” she shouted , off we go , Simon said welly it , let’s see if we can beat the others, we did well, beat most of the other cars, video proves Simon thought it was a roller coaster ride, after this back to the pub start/finish for lunch stop.

Frasers 1,2,3, are situated on the main Truro to Falmouth road (I believe), wooded area very steep, fun in the wet luckily it was fairly dry, these were the ones I was dreading, or at least the first one, long straight up, kink near top, not fun reversing back down. Line up on the command , go when ready, off we went and up and up we went, surely not, christ I’m out the top, clear, next one camber on bluebells , like a large letter C around the tree ½ way along sharp right onto hard track and out, well, did around the tree fine, didn’t quite get the turning right so straight on into a holly tree, where the windscreen got totally cracked, my defence “you’re doing fine keep going” the navigator shouted, that’s a 4 then, funny thing was , reversed back about a foot and drove straight out the section, asked Norman Tonkin if I had a restart , sorry no, still a 4.

Frasers 3 number (12) one again, I had confidence in going out the top, start at the bottom of woods then around a tree and straight up, and out on the top track, I had a plan, I had a plan, stay tight to poles on my side, looks like more grip, car before me had same idea and cleared it (ok was a class 8 car) my turn, stop on 4 reverse back down, no problem. Out on to Blankednick  1 & 2 (sections 13/14) Blankednick 1 straight down rollercoaster style around bottom keeping river on your left. Have to admit I was the quickest going down, (no questions why please) stopped on the bank with a drop of about three feet on my side, drive on was the comment, well we didn’t go in the river but it was close, stupidly I drove around the bottom and out no problem 11 scored (the nerves shit), I have to admit Blankednick 2 a section last year I did as passenger for Simon in the wet, I did not like one bit this year though ready, up and over the bank I went unfortunately car just slid on , managed to stop before hitting the marker, 6 scored.

Slippery, one of my faves  again I always think this is a classic Lands End section as you turn right you go by the section, you drive down the road, and there in front of you is a small lake normally with a big black Gorilla sitting on it + a few other things, plenty of ducks swimming around too, this year there were two Gorillas both wearing dark red Fezzes on their heads. The section itself up a very stoney lane , third of the way up sharp right over a bank through a few trees along (where my passenger told me off) for saying hello to the marshal (C Barnicoat) and concentrate where I was going. I knew where I was going, down around, up and out, clear no problem. Just like to add we didn’t clear the bank last year when I was navigating, now we did have a problem we couldn’t pump the tyres up as the compressor had stopped working, this made driving fun on this bit of the navigation, my passenger decided to give me the instructions two lines early, luckily I over ruled him as I had an idea where we were going  we were now depending totally on our route instructions.

16 Blackdowns, used a year ago on the Lands End, stoney track/ climb come out in a field overlooking Flambards, again, braincells working so roughly knew where this one was. So off I set up the track Simon giving me advice on how to do the re-start, stop, pull away in own time, we moving , then we weren’t no matter how hard we tried, 4 was the score, but at least I’d got off the re-start. By now we were totally dependant on our route map , I did have a slight detour I knew following  road to section 17 Lanner Green, last section. Again not my finest section (youtube will tell all) but at least I got out of the section, 5 marks dropped.

Back to the finish load up car and into pub for a pint, to carvery and tales of the day with other competitors getting home about 9.00pm. A brilliant day, fantastic event, glad I did it and many thanks to Simon Oates who talked me through” power off, power on” and who did all the tyre pressures for me throughout the day, Simon also learned this navigation bit you can easily lose your place if not concentrating. Result 6^th overall and 3^rd in class7 , few silly mistakes cost me, but that’s trialling and how you learn. Again thank you Simon for the use of the car, those of you who came to the Launceston Steam 3 day rally would have seen the car, with the broken windscreen, yes that’s what I did.  Only 8 cars started the trial, more need to do it next year.

Nigel.

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From our Chairman

June was a busy month of club activities and we were blessed again with good weather for our events. Indeed it was 3 weekends in a row with club events intertwined with a committee meeting and Tamar sub meeting.

Sunday 11th June saw the Carr Cup version of the Testing Trial, again a nice mix of more experienced competitors with a good representation of the younger generations who seemed to all enjoy their day, these low cost entry events are a great way to introduce some new blood and a fun day out for all, long may that continue. Congratulations to all those that earned an award after the 5 rounds. Thanks to Andrew for clerking and Lisa for secretary duties and their army of helpers.

Saturday 17th June, a slightly improved entry for the latest sporting trial, the Spry the week after and a more comparable entry to the Camel Vale event the following day this time. In dry conditions the highly competitive Thomas Bricknell once again taking home an overall award. Thanks again to Mike for his organisation and for Warin as clerk.

Sunday 25th June, Joe’s social run. An enjoyable afternoon in good company followed Joe’s route starting from the town we headed to Kit Hill with its panoramic views, it had turned a little gloomy at this point over head but soon cleared away as we headed over the Tamar at Horsebridge and onto Brentor. Some stopped off at the National Trust cafe at Lydford, before everyone met up again at the finish in the sunshine at Strawberry Fields in Lifton. Thanks to Joe for organising a nice relaxed get together.

July is a little quieter but next weekend is the Motor Traders car trial (PCT) at Waterloo Farm, North Petherwin. Again a good chance for novices to come along and have a go and join the more experienced competitors. Cars only on this occasion but there’s a class for pretty much any vehicle. Still just enough time to get an entry in. Hope to see you there.

Simon Riddle

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Launceston Testing Trial  11^th June 2023

Silage and hay cut from the field at Smithson Farm, Kelly, Lifton and with the kind permission of the Fuller family a trial was set up in the morning for cars and motorcycles. The main aim being to encourage younger entrants into motorsport at club level and for older members to have a “Grand Day Out”. The weather didn’t disappoint with the sun making itself felt throughout the day with the threat of much needed rain at the end of the day. Setting up the sections proved “interesting” with professionally drawn up sections (encapsulated as well) and then the practicality of transferring the plan to the field without hitting your thumb as we knocked the markers in to the rock hard ground! All perfectly executed with Red poles to the right of the vehicles and Yellow to the left – what could possibly go wrong? It’s a great way to start the youngsters off in trialing by teaching these basic protocols. One of the sections also had a Restart Box to give a flavour of what to expect when the younger competitors entered bigger trials in the future.

There was an entry of 8 cars and 18 bikes with riders and drivers of all ages/abilities represented. We had set up 6 sections which were completed 3 times before lunch and after modifications were completed a further 2 times after food. The first round was a little slow as parents and marshals ran around like a Benny Hill sketch in attempts to herd the younger members the correct way around the sections. Better than going to the gym and far more entertaining! We saw highly competitive (is that allowed in school now?) bikes and cars against each other wanting to know if they beat their competitors times.

This wasn’t only restricted to the youngsters with rivalry clear for all to see sometimes resulting with the wrong route taken followed by loud laughter and a few choice words in jest. Ashley Ruby and Rob Holden competed against each other in my Liege, Rob being disadvantaged by his height and long legs and a clutch pedal sticking open. Kath and Emily Shute had a blast in their shared drive and I don’t think they stopped laughing and screaming all day, I hope they’d quietened by the evening Nigel? Zak Ruby and Joe Martin were riding together with best times alternating between them but Joe made a few section errors. Finlay Wilson was on his electric bike and was buzzing around all day and controlled the bike with great poise and lovely balance. 

Daisy Torres was flying through the section with the Benny Hill crew assisting with directions until the last where they were told she didn’t need them – a strong competitive women for the future I think! Just seeing the younger generation coming through with such skills and commitment was fantastic. At the end of the day all the youngsters went to all the marshals to thank them. What a great bunch they all are. A big THANK YOU to all organisers, marshals, parents, land owner and anyone involved in making the trial happen.

Simon Oates

 Bike results  1^st overall – Mark Courtney, 1^st Class award – Mark Bowder, 1^st Under 12 award – Finlay Wilson, 1^st 12-15 award – Zak Ruby

Car results  1^st overall – Gareth White, Best F.W.D award – John Sandercock, Best under 18 award – Ashley Ruby

Thanks to Jonathan Kelly for the Testing Trial photos.

Please come and support the next field trials and have a go. Sometimes there are spare vehicles, so it’s worth asking before an event, get the family motivated and involvedJ  Have a great day!!

9^th July   Motor Traders Car Trial, Waterloo Farm, North Petherwin. PL15 8LL

20^th August Invitation Trophy Trial, Trevilla Farm, Marshgate,
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Spry Trial photos & Results

Position                                   Class                            Points
1  Thomas Bricknell                1                                  1          Spry Trophy
2   Alan Merton                       3                                  9          Class Award
3   Colin Flashman                  3                                  18
4   Jason Daniel                       3                                  18
5  John Cole                            3                                  20
6  Alan Baker                          2                                  24
7  Mike Wevill                        3                                  40
8  Nigel Shute                         5                                  51
Thanks for attending & hope you enjoyed the hot day.
Again many thanks to the Marshalls .
Next Sporting Trial is scheduled for Sunday 10 th September – DAVID AYERS TRIAL
at Trevilla Marshgate
Regs & Entry Form will be on   Website & facebook page

Mike Wevill Com Sec
LNCMC

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The Social Run
The social run I organised took finally place on June 25th having been postponed from October due to a date clash. It started in Launceston and provided a route taking approximately 2 hours to cover 50 miles of the highways and byways of East Cornwall and West Devon. There were opportunities to stop and explore places such as Kit Hill and Brentor together with pubs and tea rooms to obtain refreshments. There were also so panoramic views to enjoy along the way. To make sure everyone remained comfortable there was also the opportunity to stop in a free car park with public convenience!

15 vehicles set off with a wide range of classic, competition and family vehicles.
There were at least 3 generations involved, a great opportunity for whole families to enjoy one of our events. I think no one got lost and the feedback I have had so far has been very positive and as a social event it appears to have been successful.

Thank you to all those who took part and helped to put the event on. Perhaps
there may be another one in the future? – watch this space.

Joe Caudle

Calendar of Events

Sunday July 9^th Motor Traders Car Trial at Waterloo Farm, North Petherwin
For reg’s see club website or our facebook page.

Sunday August 20^th Invitation Trophy Trial at Trevilla Farm, Marshgate , Camelford

Sunday September 10^th  David Ayers Sporting trial at Trevilla Farm, Marshgate, Camelford. This is a round of MSUK, ASWMC & BTRDA championships.

Holsworthy Motor Club have their Crackington Trial on Sunday 16^th July , see their website or facebook page for details.

Camel Vale MC have an Autotest on  Sunday 23^rd July starting at 11.00am see their website for details and entry form.

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Tailpiece

Tales from Mona the Vampire……A somewhat protracted job on Mona this month (or sometimes things just get a bit ugly)! It started off very innocently, there was play in the off side front wheel bearing of the 2cv so obviously this was now the time to sort it before the rest of the car was assembled and liable to make things more difficult. I had already ordered the bearing so I thought before starting I would search for a suitable you tube video and see how it’s done. Sat down with a cup of coffee and watched this rather smug character sitting on his lawn next to his car explaining what needs to be done and tools needed including the special tool he had made to remove the internal thread nut which holds the bearing,  fine so far, he then proceeds to strip the car (all too easily) with an irritating obsession with dirt and cleaning ,in what appeared to be no time at all the driveshaft and offending wheel bearing was removed, with more cleaning and copious amounts of grease the new bearing is fitted and all is re-fitted and tightened up,easy. Just another clean up and he’s happy, and I’m still awake.

My turn, first make special tool, that whiled away an hour but happy with that, so with suitable jacking and axle stands in place battle commenced, driveshaft removed easy enough , yep I’m on a roll, after some scraping and degreasing I can see the internal nut and my new made tool fits fine, put socket wrench on new tool and put on nut, apply pressure, no movement, go away eat three Weetabix, return to resume battle, still no movement, search for longer spanner , I think nut moved, get even bigger spanner and yes a small amount of movement, spray all threads with oil and try again, the next two hours saw it complete two full turns, so much for Weetabix.

After yet more wasted time  thread of very tight nut is protruding slightly, bang, new tool snaps under the pressure, desperation is creeping in. Weld up tool and then weld it to offending nut/thread, get very large torque wrench and gradually ease it out, after about five  hours it’s out, I’m too knackered to celebrate. Next day with thread file in hand I meticulously go over the threads to hopefully make fitting of the new bearing and nut easier. Bearing goes in nicely, now the internal nut, lots of oil and yet another new special tool, I commence assembly, it goes in about two turns and gets very tight, undo, check thread, more oil and screw in, still only about the same distance with around at least 3mm before it’s home, with great force on torque wrench it slowly goes in, and stops.

I’m in a situation of no going back and forward is nigh on impossible, so more desparate measures, my problem is holding the socket on and trying to apply enough pressure, I need more hands. I come up with the cunning idea of using a G clamp to hold the socket in place allowing me to just work the torque wrench , this works buy still difficult so with the aid of a metre of pipe over the torque wrench I’ve got the leverage needed and eventually I get there, nut done up , slide in driveshaft and all is good, I’d like to see the smug git in the video undo this one.The final battle with it in place, special tool survived !

That’s all for this month don’t forget to send in your copy  billjan299@gmail.com

I think they call this month “flaming June”, I spent many of my childhood years wondering who this “June” woman was and what terrible thing had she done, eventually the penny dropped and I was feeling somewhere between stupid and relieved , another lesson learned.

It’s been quite busy on the club front what with the Northgate Sporting Trial, then all hands to the pump at the Launceston Steam Rally, along with yet more events following closely.

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From our chairman

Another month flashes by but in general a glorious month weather wise, long evenings for us to enjoy and luckily the sun shone on our events in May.

The Northgate Sporting Trial ran on Saturday 8th May, a disappointing entry really but nonetheless a competitive and enjoyable day. We did discuss at our committee meeting whether running a day before (or after) another event actually hinders our entry rather than improve, we’ll see if a similar impact is felt on the upcoming Spry Sporting Trial on 17th June.

We had a Tamar Trial 2023 sub meeting on 16th May, pleasingly Jan Cooper has taken the mantle on from Bob Slatter after over 20 years of service as Secretary of the meeting, although Bob was still there in support of the handover. We’ve got the basis of our route planned and will be working hard on hopefully securing some new sections over the next few months.

Last weekend we had the Launceston Steam and Vintage Rally with the club having a display for all 3 days, including a casual drive around the ring on each afternoon where the announcer read out a bit of history on the club as well as each vehicle and a special mention for Zak! We saw a steady stream of people with Sunday being the busiest day people and vehicle wise. It’s hard to know what impact these events have in terms of bringing people into our sport but I think as a committee we are unanimous in agreeing that getting the club’s name out there can only be a positive thing.

Thank you to everyone that attended and provided their vehicles for display it is very much appreciated. Huge thanks to Andrew and Lorraine, Darren, Lisa, Ashley and Zak for organising everything and being there for all 3 days.

A busy month coming up with the first of our Testing Trials (near Lifton) on 11th June – still time to enter, entries to be made through Lisa. The Spry on 17th June and then Joe’s Social Run on the following Sunday, the 25th. So plenty of club events going on in the summer for whatever your motorsport taste.

Simon Riddle

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Forthcoming Events

June 11^th  We have the Testing Trial at Kelly, Lifton, regs are available on the website or you can contact Lisa Gregory on the club facebook page to register your interest, a fun event against the stopwatch and catering for all ages on 2, 3  or 4 wheels. Get a shift on though as it’s an imminent event and entries close on Wednesday 7^th June

June 17^th  and its another sporting trial, this time it’s the Spry Sporting Trial to be held at Higher Frankaborough Farm,  Broadwoodwidger. I think it’s a paper entry for this, wax crayon or quill will be fine. Any need of assistance contact Mike Wevill 01566 784451.

Both the above events can only run if there are sufficient people to marshal so please show your support and lend a helping hand.

25^th 0f June is all set for the Social Run, starting at 2.00pm in the Cattle Market car park , Race Hill, Launceston. This is a free to enter event, on arrival you will be asked to sign on and collect your route which is approximately 50 miles of glorious Cornwall & Devon countryside, various points of interest along the way and finishing at  Strawberry Fields, Lifton. Those arriving before 5.00pm can indulge themselves in a cream tea (jam first) or whatever you fancy from the menu, they close at 5.30 pm so don’t hang about. It would be appreciated if you could text Joe Caudle 07495 358904 and let him know you are coming to give us some idea of numbers wishing to participate.

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The Northgate Sporting Trial was held at Ashleigh Lifton on the 13^th of May as part of the sporting trial weekend which was co-hosted by Camel Vale MC on the Sunday. It was a select entry of 7 on the day, held in glorious weather , marshals were grateful for the shade of the trees on such a warm day. Thomas Bricknell held a “master class” of trials driving winning by a very clear margin, but in all a very enjoyable event, the club extends it thanks to those who marshalled on the day and in particular the land owners.

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Launceston Steam Vintage Rally

This is a three day event held at Altarnun, Launceston so for both the organisers and those participating it’s a bit of a marathon. Special thanks to Jan Cooper for inviting us along and giving us ample area to show off the various vehicles in attendance. Three very warm days in lovely sunshine so the umbrellas were in absentia. Each day we were invited to show off our vehicles in the main ring where the compere gave the crowd a commentary on the various vehicles and on the third day gave a potted history of the club.

It never ceases to amaze the number of times someone comes on the stand and says “I didn’t know Launceston had a motor club” despite the number of shows we have done over the years including our centenary celebration in the town square, but it’s good that people do make the effort to come and say hello. Thanks to everyone who helped on the stand and those who brought their vehicles to show what a friendly eclectic bunch we are.

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Birthday Celebrations
Adrian Booth celebrated his 75^th birthday on Monday 8^th May this year among friends and family at a convivial off-the-grid gathering on the slopes of Bodmin Moor. Launceston & North Cornwall Motor Club were well represented with Joe Caudle, Simon Riddle and Dave Symons to mention but a few. The weather didn’t dampen proceedings. On the moor, even the mist tastes sweet. Adrian’s sister, Jill, manage to organise a cake with a picture of the main man behind the wheel of his famous Series 1 Land Rover. One or two of us may have been towed by this device and many more have benefitted from Adrian’s engineering expertise over several decades. We had thought to get together some of the cars Adrian has developed for his friends over the years but we will surely make this happen dreckly, weather and competition wear and tear permitting. Adrian must be close to celebrating 60 years of motorsport soon, so maybe we can mark that involvement with another celebration, maybe very dreckly.

TAILPIECE

Very impressed with our Competition Secretary Mike Wevill on his 400-mile bike ride across Scotland, he completed the ride and raised in excess of £500 for the RNIB, I saw him a couple of days after the ride and he looked well and wasn’t even walking like John Wayne, proving that age need not be a barrier if you really put your mind to it.

I took the 2CV to the steam rally merely as something different for people to look at, I thought it best to leave it on the trailer as there’s no brakes at the moment and I didn’t want someone to get the idea that it would be fun to tow it around the show ring and creating a bit of excitement on the downhill bit. I must admit I’m looking forward to driving it although on trials sections I don’t expect it to have the climbing ability  of the Dellow but with the superb suspension system it will float over the bumps as if they don’t exist.

All for this month, newsletter contributions to billjan299@gmail.com or even financial contributions to the 2CV restoration fund (bloody lottery let me down again!)
JT

Welcome to the merry month of May newsletter, there seems to be a lot going on this month, not just within the club, for those who enjoy it there’s a large dose of pomp and pageantry to keep the masses entertained. My tailpiece last month did apparently catch a few of you out, well it was April the 1st, whilst I did get a phone call to congratulate me on my winnings fortunately I didn’t receive any begging letters from long lost and otherwise unknown relatives hoping to relieve me of my financial gain and promising to always be with me during their hour of greed. My bank has confirmed that there has not been a large influx of ready cash for me to spend, life goes on as normal.

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Chairmans Chat

I start this month’s edition with some very sad news. I was both shocked and saddened to learn during the recent Land’s End Trial that Nigel Martin-Oakley had sadly passed away during the event. I had known Nigel through our own events (he had been a regular club member over the last decade or so) and was synonymous to us with his Saab. We had chatted in the queue shortly before, where he had told me of his numerous gearbox rebuilds on the Saab and of the new power steering Adrian Booth has manufactured for him. His character will be sorely missed. I’m sure I speak for all of the committee in sending our heartfelt condolences to Nigel’s wife and all the family at such a difficult time.

Land’s End Trial 2023 – Having just got the Dutton back on the road, the only pre event Land’s End run ended up being a bit of a scoot around the woods setting up for the Launceston. A couple of small mods to do with the help of Adrian then a snag a couple of days before, loaded on the trailer and down to Adrian’s workshop, job complete with 24 hours to spare. Duncan Stephens had kindly offered to drop me down on the Thursday to collect. Back for a quick tidy up and the rest of the day spent loading and fingers crossed. I’m sure Simon O will provide his report of the event so I won’t go into great detail.

The car ran well pleasingly, some very familiar sections and several new. I did have the hump a bit before breakfast with a few things I must admit but we perked up a bit after refuelling ourselves, it was dry and the sun was showing through after all. The trial ran pretty smoothly after that although behind schedule, we didn’t get too much further behind, signing off at about 6.30pm. Club attire and personnel on show at various points, namely Pinch Hill (a good new special test) Crackington, Wilsey and

Blue Hills. It appears there have been a few internal issues within the MCC since but from my point of view I must offer many thanks to all those that give up their time to make it happen, in any capacity. Also, the enthusiasm to find and bring in some new (and old) hills is definitely to be applauded, freshen ups keep us on our toes and I’m all for that. All being well we’ll be back for the 100th edition next year.

Warin Kelly’s Low Cost Motorsport Talk – On 20th April, Warin provided an interesting slideshow and talk to several club members at Tresmeer, I for one didn’t realise quite how active he had been in motorsport circles, certainly around the race tracks in the 1970s. Many thanks go to Warin for taking the time to put it all together and for hosting the evening.

A busy time coming up with plenty of club events being run over the spring and summer.

Simon Riddle

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The club has a vacancy for a safeguarding officer to join the committee, if you think this might be a role you could fulfil please contact Simon Riddle or any committee member (details on the website) The following description has been downloaded from MSUK to outline the tasks of the role:-

Safeguarding Officer

The Safeguarding Officer is the first point of contact for all safeguarding enquiries within your Club. This role helps to ensure that the welfare of all children, young people, and adults at risk is promoted in the Club’s activities. They should develop a positive culture that encourages both children and adults to share any concerns they have and be confident that they will be listened to. It is mandatory to have a safeguarding officer within your Club.

Responsibilities and Duties

It is the role of the safeguarding officer to promote the welfare of all Club members. This can include:

• Ensuring you are familiar with Motorsport UK Safeguarding policies, procedures, and guidance. • Actively maintain and promote Club Safeguarding policies.
• Ensuring that you (or a nominated other) are in attendance and/or contactable at all events. • Be the first point of contact for Club members if they have an issue or concern regarding someone’s welfare.
• Being aware of resources that can help support club members.
• Undergo safeguarding training when requested by Motorsport UK.

One of the main responsibilities of a safeguarding officer is managing incidents concerning the welfare of children and adults at risk. This can involve:

• Reporting safeguarding concerns to the Motorsport UK Safeguarding Team within 24 hours of becoming aware or notified.
  • Maintaining accurate records of safeguarding incidents.
  • Promoting and ensuring that confidentiality is maintained.
  • Sharing information on a need to know basis.
  • Liaising with statutory authorities as required/requested. As a participating member of motorsport, they should uphold the values of the Race With Respect code. Skills and Qualities A safeguarding officer should:
  • Demonstrate good communication skills
  • Demonstrate a knowledge of equality and diversity issues
  • Actively display and encourage the behaviours expected in the Race with Respect code of conduct • Maintain a professional boundary with children, young people, and adults at risk • Be approachable and friendly
  • Have knowledge of safeguarding resources and legislation
  • Be willing to learn about safeguarding
  • Have ability to handle emotionally distressing matters and/or seek support if required • Have administration and systems (records) management skills

For more information guides visit the Motorsport UK Club Toolkit.

For guidance and suggestions of further guides, email the Motorsport UK Club & Community Development Team at club.development@motorsportuk.org

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We can be heroes, just for one day………

Richard Simpson rides the Lands End Trial, the easy way

The narrow road veers left, and heads steeply down into a valley. Ahead and to the right, the Atlantic Ocean shimmers in holiday-brochure blue. Directly in front across the valley, a steep white path rises up the hillside, lined on each side with the tiny figures of on-lookers.

I have seen this sight twice before: and each time get a feeling that is 90 per cent excitement and 10 per cent sickness. Pulling over to the side, I kill the engine of my 300 cc Beta X-Trainer motorcycle and, faintly over the sound of wind and waves, can hear the distant sound of cheering and an engine’s roar. A small dark speck is climbing the steep path, with a plume of dust behind it.

This is the Lands End Trial. Welcome to Blue Hills. It’s the journey that counts, not the destination. For most competitors, this began the previous night, and has carried them across Somerset, Devon and Cornwall to here, travelling mostly on unclassified roads and taking in a series of observed sections on rough tracks, much of which must be ridden or driven unseen in the dark.

Not for me though. I’ve navigated vehicles with three and four wheels through the night on this event before, but for my first attempt on a motorbike, I’ve ticked a little-used box on the Motor Cycling Club’s entry form that gives me a start from Wilsey Down Hotel at a very civilised 9 am on day two of the event. Conveniently, this is just a few miles from my house, and happily it serves a generous cooked breakfast (my wife is convinced that ‘trials’ are actually a sort of perverse gastronomic tour of the West Country in which the participants compete to consume large quantities of fried food and pasties). I will be navigating as well as riding, but I won’t have to contend with picking signposts out in the black of night or mists of Exmoor’s early morning. Nor will horrible obstacles, real or imagined, loom suddenly into my light on the off-road sections.

Doing the day-only trial is as stress-free as it could be. You don’t even get given a final score, so it’s really just an organised trail-ride. After breakfasting with two Triumph riders fresh from the all-nighter (I find out one has, like me, had the honour of navigating for John Turner in his Dellow trials car). I go to the start and meet the one other entrant in the daytime class…who is riding a Royal Enfield Himalayan festooned with soft luggage. I wonder at the wisdom of adding more weight to an already very heavy motorcycle, but each to their own.

He in turn wonders at my roadbook. It was constructed by John Turner himself, from one of those sleeves that up-market whisky bottles come in. Two plastic waterpipes, each with a whisky-bottletop glued in one end, comprise the roller mechanism. A window is covered in clear plastic. As the event progresses, I realise what a genius invention this device is. My fellow- competitor says he has just made a trace of the route and downloaded it onto his smartphone.

We set off down the A road towards Launceston, then veer towards Liskeard. The first ‘event’ is the special test at Ruses Mill, and getting there involves negotiating a complex of ever-more minor roads. I let the Himalayan man pass as I’m still sorting out the best method of using JT’s roadbook. Following the Enfield is an interesting experience. Its long-stroke engine has an exhaust note straight out of the 1930s. I can hear the charm, even if I can’t see the attraction. Passing through the half- restored and now seemingly abandoned and heartbreakingly beautiful buildings of Ruses Mill, we come to the special test itself, which is a start, stop- and-restart, and- stop-again, conducted on an incredibly steep and dirty tarmac hill. I actually know the layout quite well because I was a marshal on it during last year’s Three- Day Trial. Accelerate, brake, stop, accelerate, brake, stop…and breathe!

No real drama, and no real point in pushing too hard as my time won’t count towards anything. Exit through a little village, then a ride across Bodmin Moor to the first proper observed section for us daytime wimps: Water Main Lane.

Himalayan man is ahead of me, and I am joined by some competitors from the full event. I decide to let them go ahead while I adjust my tyre pressures, given that they look tired, and I’m fresh and well-fed.
 

This section starts off easy, but there’s a bit in the middle that has suffered from water erosion…hopefully not from a burst watermain. I stand up for this part, and the back wheel promptly slips sideways. It takes a couple of ferocious ‘dabs’ to get the Beta back on course. There goes my (imaginary) Gold medal. I kick myself…what’s wrong with me?

At the end of the section, I make a worrying discovery. The trip-meter on the Beta has stopped working, so has the clock, and speed is now showing in Km/h. I know what’s happened: the connection for the instrument’s internal battery has failed and the thing is running on electrical power from the bike’s loom and can’t be reset. Last night I went through the roadbook and carefully highlighted all the distances between the various waypoints, planning to reset the trip as I passed each one. None of that is any good to me now: I’ll just have to guess the distances and relate them to the directions as best I can.

Unsurprisingly, I overshoot a turn off a major road. I encounter a sidecar outfit which has done the same and is about to repeat the mistake in the other direction. Frantic waving and shouting gets them back on course. We set off on one of the best bits of the trial: tarmac lanes which deteriorate into greenlanes around St Neot: one part is a steep and rough downhill which would make a great section in its own right if the trial ran in the other direction. Lovely scenery, no traffic, can this really be Easter Saturday in Cornwall? Next stop is the Panters Bridge Time Control. I’m not sure if I’m actually supposed to attempt the Warleggan section up the lane here as it’s not clear what route the daytimers should follow, but the marshals send me up anyway. Again, it starts easy with a soft, grippy surface. Then there’s a part that has been scoured by heavy rain, exposing tortured longitudinal ribbons of igneous rock. I stand. I fall. I restart. I stand. I fall again. The marshals pick me up. I realise where I’m going wrong, drag the bike over to the side of the lane and climb what’s left in the gutter with my bum firmly in the seat. This is going just as badly as I anticipated. The route takes us past Bodmin. I managed to get John Turner lost at a roundabout here: taking us and a few followers off to the right and down into the traffic-calmed nightmare that is the town last year. The routebook is ambiguous about the roundabout this year too.

I’m not going to go wrong again. I go straight on. This is wrong. There’s a new section, and I should have gone right. I explain my error to the sidecar boys who have followed me. They wish me luck (I think that’s what was said, but can’t be sure).

The route skirts the southern suburbs of Bodmin. I encounter two more competitors stopped by the side of the road with a technical problem. One is on an ancient rigid Norton, the other a modern GasGas enduro two-stroke. The technical problem is the GasGas has run out of petrol! They are planning on transferring some fuel out of the Norton and into the GasGas with a plastic bag and assure me they will be alright. I leave them to it, find the next section, and with it my mojo!

Imagine a Scalectrix track made life-sized, surfaced with mud and imposed on the topography of an abandoned railway cutting. This is Eddy’s Branch Line.

I cut my trail-riding teeth in the thick mud of Northamptonshire. I can do this. What a section! Start, hairpin bend, down into the cutting, along the cutting, up and out and over a bridge across the cutting, right-angle corner, flatout undulating blast to the end. Stand for the tight corners, sit for everything else.

And done, and done clean. Waiting at the end is the section chief marshal (and farmer) Eddy himself.

We thank marshals on each section as a matter of course, but this is an opportunity to thank the landowner too. I tell him it’s the best section so far.

He tells me that other competitors have complained about how difficult it was and that the mud has cost them Gold, which boosts my confidence no end. I’ve done better than some! Great Grogley, Withielgoose, and Trevithic sections are found and dispatched without difficulty. I remember at least some of them from last year. At this point I’m riding in a bubble. There is no one ahead of or behind me, and marshals are enjoying lunch as I approach. The quiet is unreal. It doesn’t last. The route spits us onto the A39, jammed with holiday traffic and lined with tacky attractions. It’s like another (nightmarish) world. I take a wrong turn off a roundabout, and find myself up by Newquay airport. Giving modern technology a chance, I pull out my mobile and open the map app. There’s no signal, and no map.

Waste of time. Just go back to the roundabout and pay more attention.

But I take the opportunity to fill the Beta’s long-range tank at a nearby Gulf station. It’s not on reserve, but it might be soon. I check the engine oil tank. It’s used all of an egg-cup full of lube. It looks like I can do the whole event and ride home without using the extra oil I’ve stashed on the bike. Amazing! Back on route, I pull into the Peranporth time control. While I’m enjoying a nutritious snack of three Lidl energy bars and a can of Red Bull, the Norton and GasGas pull in. Glad to see the plastic bag exercise has left them unscathed. There’s one more section to go before Blue Hills. I ride past the entrance to Lambriggan twice, thanks to my non-functioning trip meter.Having found it, I’m up it like a rat up a drainpipe, and on to Blue Hills. I’m not sure if I’m actually supposed to do Blue Hills One, but it would be rude not to. Down around, up, out and stop at the line. Now on to Blue Hills Two. The access to this is a challenge in itself, but I make it there without drama, largely because I keep my bum on the seat. At the Section Start, I’m instructed to wait. The Chief Marshal wants a word. Perhaps news of my lack of skill has preceded me, and he’s going to tell me to wait until the air ambulance arrives before I launch myself into the rocks?

Here he comes down the hill like a mountain goat. It has been decided, he tells me ominously, that daytime riders need only get as far as the A-board and then I will be dragged to the top of the hill if necessary. Oh, dear…there’s only one other ontestant in the class…what the hell happened to him that this guy has come down to tell me this? And I can’t see the A-board.

No matter. He’s away to the top of the hill, the start marshal is telling me I can proceed, and someone is pointing a video camera in my face while an expectant buzz comes from the crowd. This is it. First or second gear?

Well we got up here so far in first without traction issues, so my left foot clicks the pedal down while my right foot hold the back brake on.

Clutch to biting point, throttle open progressively. The ring-ding from the Beta’s exhaust deepens into a growl, and the Mitas rear tyre miraculously finds traction as the back brake is released. And we are off. I remind myself not to stand up, and just let the front wheel pick its way up the path. Steady throttle, feather the clutch if it feels like it’ll wheelie or spin (it doesn’t). Marshals are blocking the point where the ‘proper’ contestants turn left so I just carry on up the hill. Somewhere, back there, I passed the A-board. And suddenly, I’m up top, at the back of the queue for the tea- stall! I haven’t fallen, I didn’t foot. Familiar voices shout my name…it’s brother Ben and sister Chris who have gone to get refreshment anticipating that it will be hours before I arrive at the foot of the hill, if indeed I arrive at all. I’m buzzing!

My siblings are incredulous. I try to explain, incoherently, that I was a mere passenger on the Beta on that last climb, and I didn’t do the really difficult bit after the left-hand turn (where John’s Dellow destroyed its clutch and our Gold medals last year) but they are having none of it. You’d think I’d won the Scottish Six Days Trial.

A cuppa and two cakes later (sorry Ben, was that your cake?), and I’m off to sign- off at theMiners’ Arms. A brief chat with Richard and Claire Griffin (KTM 990 and Freeride) and I wobble home on a distinctly soft back tyre after I fail to get any air into it with the mini MTB pump I’m carrying.…it’s no worse than riding on a Yokohoma ‘whispering death’ tyre in the rain was back in the 1970s, or so I tell myself.
 

Later, I view the video taken by Diptheclutch, which is on YouTube. I see my fellow dayrider Himalaya Man being dragged up Blue Hills Two by three marshals. So little power, and so much weight. And horrible ‘chevron’ tyres, too. Fair play to him. But the real hero is rider number 116, riding a Yamaha XJR1300. This is a slightly updated pastiche of the superbikes of the 1970s…an air-cooled 220 kg (dry) transverse-four roadbike with twin-shock suspension. He appears to have ridden all night and cleaned every section (results provisional at going to press), beating all the proper ‘Adventure’ bikes and most of the lightweights too. Chris Curtis, your name is Legend!

Video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iShNtzx-LE0

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During the Lands End your editor did a spell of marshalling at Wilsey Down, bit of a lay in really as I didn’t need to be there until just after 4.00am, managed to take a few pictures of the competitors, the big Chevvy was an unusual entry, but fair dues they travelled all the way from Switzerland to compete.

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99th Lands End Trial 7/8th April 2023 An emotional day out

Firstly, the sad news of the unexpected death of Nigel Martin-Oakley after ascending Darracott Hill on the Trial in his much loved Saab 96 with his wife Nicola. I’m sure all competitors, Marshals and friends send their best wishes and condolences to his wife and family after this tragic event.

Memories of him and his cars will be fondly remembered for years to come.

The Trial started with 4 regional starts which was nice after none were used in the previous Exeter Trial. During conversation, it appeared that Plusha and Exeter starts hadn’t been told about the date until a few day before, this was also true at the Breakfast stop at Wilsey Down, so we were quite lucky the breakfast was there in the morning! Myself and navigator John Warren started at Plusha and had the honour (?) of being the first car throughout the event. Off we went at 18.49 on the back roads to the official start at Bridgwater Rugby Club. The biggest event was as we entered Taunton, a car pulled out from the left in front of us with no lights and across on to the other side of the road. He continued the wrong side of the road at speed for 400m and as a car approached him/her head on, he veered right between bollards never to be seen again! Nothing further of note happened on the trip and we saw no other cars apart from the two following cars of Simon Riddle and Rob Haworth. A splash and dash of fuel before entering the rugby club for scrutineering which went smoothly.

The start time for cars was 10.54 and we had all been told that we could go 20 minutes early if we wanted to. We decided to go once the bikes had all gone so that we wouldn’t hold them up. This resulted with several cars leaving in front of motorbikes and our leading position long gone.
 

Following the route book, we turned right at the first roundabout (opposite direction to last year) and left at lights onto the A39 and Minehead.

No signpost was present, so at the next roundabout we retraced our route and picked up signage to Minehead and A39 in the opposite direction (left at first roundabout), not a brilliant start. We progressed to the first section Felons Oak where we queued with 10+ cars in front and eventually they moved to one side to let the trailing bikes through to do the section in front of us (20mins leaving early didn’t work). We wondered if ‘Mr Mazola’ had left an oil deposit at the restart, if he had, we still managed to clear the hill. Better luck next time! On to Porlockford for the second section and restart for most classes.

A total lack of direction signs in to the hill and none on the way in the dark where the track split. Tyre marks both ways told the story resulting in lost cars and bikes (some may still be there?) One of the marshals even said that he got lost trying to get to his position earlier. We arrived at Barbrook Control already late, so I filled up with fuel while John signed us in. He came out and said that we didn’t have to stop and could carry straight on to the next section, no sign out necessary. Simon Riddle had picked up a puncture previously, so we waited for him and his Dutton to arrive and top the car up.

I suggested that John checked at control about signing out and it turned out that we had to – lucky! As we were about to leave a marshal said they were trying to get the cars in correct order and told us to overtake cars in front to get to our correct numeric position (impossible task). I said we were officially the first three cars, so would do the best we could. As we approached the queue for Beggars Roost we pulled out to go to the front and stopped at the main marshal at the bottom. A very abusive response with no intension of listening to the explanation. He told us to go up the road and turn around, so I saw there was plenty of room to turn at the hill entrance and as I moved forward, he stepped in front and said ‘you’re not going up the hill’ to which I said ‘I am turning here, please move’.

The three of us turned around and re-joined the queue. I got out of the car, went to the marshal and suggested the earlier marshal should be told not to tell the competitors to get in ‘correct order’, there was no response (2 marshals). I then asked if he would like me to go back and tell him (which I did) but I only got a grunt. I understand that it’s dark, less than half vehicles are through, it’s running late, people are tired and it’s a car and noise sensitive area but there is no excuse for the attitude I received – end of story. We cleared Beggars Roost, Barton Steep OT1, Riverton and Yollacombe OT2.

Next was a new section Orange which had a restart for all classes. All simple and completed, we followed the route instructions ‘L at grass triangle and shortly R downhill and over bridge’ which led us 100m to a private property where we turned as quietly as possible.

We were not alone with this mistake as many, many competitors did the same. We commented about how to give the sport a bad name at the time. Subsequently the owner blocked the section with a car and the section had to be abandoned. I hope an apology and gift from the MCC will later find the property owner. The word ‘shortly’ should not be used in my opinion. A distance (400 or 600m) or coloured direction markers etc would help in high risk, new or sensitive areas. We moved on to Sutcombe and completed the section and decided not to stop for refreshments at the top due to us being so far behind our correct position. This led to Gooseham Holding area where bikes were still attempting the next section Darracott. We waited for an hour and 3 cars at a time were let through to attempt the hill. The restart for classes A,B,C,3,4,5,6 & 90 proved very sticky and difficult and caused considerable delays.
 

The marshals worked their socks off picking bikes up off the ground due to the conditions. We were the 10th car on the section now and already 2 cars were waiting to be pulled to the top. Once cleared (no restart for class 7 or 8) we moved on to see the unfortunate Richard Nixon (broken leg) was being made comfortable after falling off his bike on the road section. As he was being looked after we went on to Wargery Wood for a restart and another clear. Cutcliffe Lane proved stony and slippery but cleared. By now the new exhaust system I had fabricated and fitted on Thursday had a massive hole in the silencer and John had resorted to putting Blue Tack in his ears! I don’t know what to say but clearly he won’t hear me. We then had an excursion around the beautiful countryside and about the 4th stop by Class R marshals (route check for the rest as well?) to see if we needed to do their restart! Class R cars used to all be 700 numbers I thought.

Eventually we arrived at Pinch Hill, Bude (arrows off the main road) for Observed Test 3, only to find 3 sections we had already done were cancelled (correct call by Phillip Tucker in his gorgeous TR as no sensible linking alternative route was available) and loads of cars were now in front of us, even the Swiss Chevrolet which had started over 2 hours after us was ahead! The test, which was different to the others, woke everyone up I’m sure. Definitely a more interesting timed observed test, well done the Ruby family. Another splash and dash in Bude before moving on to Crackington for a clear blast up the hill without a restart and on to Wilsey Down Hotel and breakfast stop / time control.

It would be fair to say that at this point I felt it was one of the worst trials I had ever entered (the marshal incident totally buggered it for me) and would quite happily have quit and gone home. Certainly John had been grumbling for the last 2 hours but after a couple of full Cornish Breakfasts, we were feeling a bit more positive and left after an hour to Ruses Mill for the last Observed Test. Once completed we progressed over Bodmin Moor to Water Main Lane with a restart for most competitors and then West to Warleggan and a tricky restart. Further delays now made us nearly 3 hours late and definitely not the first car. A stop high on the restart was good enough to get off up the rough lane and on towards Wadebridge for another new section Eddy’s Branch Line. A tight first muddy bend, up to another tight bend and over a bridge through more sticky stuff to a finish 150m away. A shunt was allowed on the second corner if needed! Longer wheelbase and poor steering lock cars would suffer, but that’s trialling.

Great Grogley, Withielgoose and Trevithick followed with restarts for most classes with few problems. Classes A,B,C,D,6,7&8 all went to Zelah to a steep old clay lane which would be virtually impassable when wet, but today it was dry. On to Perranporth Filling Station for time control and fuel if needed before moving on to Lambriggan again with restarts for most classes. A bit rough but it is a trial and we managed to clear it. Blue Hills1 was looking tricky as usual with a bit of a shine on the slab. We burnt a lot of rubber (@12psi) to clear the section and stopped astride the finish line. Blue Hills 2 had been updated with a double (or was it triple) bend up the lane made with granite.

Tight for long wheelbase and wide cars, it clearly favoured the smaller more agile cars like ours. After clearing the section, we saw many dented front ends of cars that had tried to clear the lower part of the section. Nice to see the winch regularly working at the top though! After spectating for half an hour we left for the finish at Mithian and signed off at the Miners Arms.

The Lands End Trial was certainly ambitiously changed from the previous year’s event. Many new personnel took charge and we must applaud their ‘can do’ attitude. Hopefully most of the issues mentioned will be addressed and corrected because realistically, if this had been a wet year and no sections cancelled, it would have taken much, much longer to complete the trial (provided the last sections would still be open). Please also be aware that if the MCC upset local occupants or land owners, it is the local motor clubs that will lose sections and subsequently suffer the most. The use of

direction markers in the new sections and, or sensitive areas would help, volunteers had offered to do them. I hope the comments at Wilsey Down convey the emotional ups and downs of a trial which some of us go through. A massive THANK YOU to all marshals, land owners, local clubs and organisers for putting the trial together and I look forward to the 100th Lands End next year after further fettling.

Simon Oates.

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Old Git Cycles Scotland for RNIB

Our club treasurer and Comp secretary is bored, so bored he came up with a silly idea which he is now having to see through. He is planning to cycle 400 miles in eight days from Gretna to John O’Groats starting on May 18th. This would be a daunting enough challenge for many young people but as Mike is (not being rude) no longer young and the wrong side of 70 it’s an impressive target. His son Ben will be accompanying him, not literally, he’s booked up a load of golfing along the route that Mike’s cycling in a sort of “with you in spirit” approach.

Mike has been a staunch committee member of our club for more years than he or I care to remember, it would be nice as a thank you for everyone to put their hands in their pockets and support him through his just giving page for what is a very worthy cause.

www.justgiving.com/page/mike-wevill-1681058469541

Future Events

13th May. Northgate Sporting Trial at Ashleigh, Lifton this is an all day event and any offers of marshals will be gladly accepted, please contact Mike Wevill 01566 784451 or email j.wevill@btconnect.com.

27th – 29th June Launceston Steam Rally at Altarnun , we have a presence at the event for all three days if anyone is willing to help out on our stand or wants to bring an interesting vehicle to display please get in touch with Andrew Rippon 07974 390797. All things being well this should gain you free entry.

Testing Trial we currently have two dates in June earmarked, we would like to run it on the 11th although it may be on the 4th it really depends on the landowner and when they cut the grass. The venue will be at Kelly again and as soon as we can confirm the date it will be on out fb page and the website.

June 17th Spry Sporting Trial this will be at Broadwoodwidger, more details to follow in next month’s newsletter.

June 25th Social Run Joe Caudle assisted by Andy Prosser has mapped out a nice 50 mile social run covering a scenic route around East Cornwall and West Devon (with toilet stops) . The start will be in Launceston at around 2.00pm and finishing somewhere suitable for a nice cream tea (jam first) Joe would appreciate it if people wishing to participate could declare their interest by mailing him joecaudlework56@gmail.com

Our next committee meeting is on 1st June at Tresmeer Village Hall, all welcome

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Anyone down West may wish to visit the Truro Classic Car Show at Lemon Quay on July 30th

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It was mentioned at our last committee meeting that our governing body the MSUK are ceasing the print of the “Blue Book” all reg’s & rules will now be available on their website.

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Tailpiece

Things have moved on at a bit of a pace (slow pace) with the Dellow going to it’s new home in mid Cornwall and the new chassis having arrived for the 2cv I feel as if things are moving forward. But alas all is not straight forward, I ordered and received a nice box of go faster goodies for the 2CV and then something hit me. With the bodyshell hanging in the breeze of what has become known as the Giraffe house I had room to park the tractor under it, albeit once having removed the exhaust.

This then gave me a brilliant idea for a class 8 special, with the body lowered I reckon it could be made to fit around the Fergie tractor, this would make an awesome trials machine and I would also gain in having a covered in tractor. As with all ideas they need a bit of thinking through in terms of what are the drawbacks. Obviously I’d need to incorporate a second seat, for the navigator. Problem number 1 is probably the tyres, the latest rules is no more than an 8mm gap between the tread pattern, I’ve got around 80mm. Problem 2 is also tricky, the normal calculated road speed for a classic trial is worked out at about 30mph overall, whereas anything over 8mph in the Fergie is stretching things, I think the closing vehicle would soon be overtaking me resulting in an early retirement. Perhaps I need to think things over before going too far with it.

That’s all for this month folks, thanks to all this month’s contributors, and as always all contributions are gratefully received J.T.

billjan299@gmail.com

For once I’ve got it right, the winds outside are gusting at 50-60 mph and despite there being a hosepipe ban in force the rain is lashing down. Me, I’m sat in a nice warm kitchen, cup of coffee, tin of biscuits and all is good. There’s been a lot going on since the last newsletter, AGM, committee meeting, and the Lanson Trial.

We held our AGM at Tresmeer Village Hall on the 9^th of March, very good turnout (nothing to do with the table of free sandwiches and nibbles , thank you Vivien) and a change around in some of the top jobs on offer :

Chairman, Simon Riddle,             Vice Chair John Turner,
Treasurer, Pam Wevill ably assisted by Mike Wevill,
Secretary, Richard Simpson,        Competition Secretary Mike Wevill,
Membership Secretary, Simon Oates,    ACTC Representative Andrew Rippon,
Awards Officer, Nigel Cowling,       Motorcycle Secretary, Richard Simpson
Newsletter Editor, John Turner.

Our President Robin Moore has now stood down due to health issues and the difficulty of being able to attend events, Warin Kelly has taken over as President therefore no longer acting as Vice president, Pat Gomm has now become vice president. These changes were voted for unanimously.

The position of Safeguarding Officer is still vacant at present but we are hopeful that this vacancy can soon be filled. In addition to the above committee members are : Joe Caudle, Andy Prosser, Lisa Gregory, Lorraine Rippon, Jan Cooper, Darren Ruby, Ashley Ruby, Zac Ruby, Phil Thomas, Pat Gomm, Alan Murton.
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From the Chair

My first ‘chairman’s chat’, I’ll try not to ramble on for too long….so somehow I have ended up in the hot seat. Seriously though, at a previous committee meeting it had been muted to me about the position having served the committee for several years (think I was a teenager, just, when I first joined). I did it give it consideration as other commitments do take over at times and I’m a believer that if you’re going to take something on then you must be prepared to commit. I think our club and committee is in a very strong place at the moment, we have a great blend of youth, the middle and experience with a number of committee members also active competitors. Our membership last year was well over 100 and along with our traditional classics and sporting trials we are providing events which are encouraging the younger generation to compete – vital to the future of our sport. Thanks are due to Joe Caudle our outgoing chairman for his second spell over the past few years and Andy Prosser similarly, as a very efficient secretary, both hugely valued stalwarts of the club and its pleasing that, even though stepping back from official titles they remain on the committee.

We’ve just had the Launceston Trial on Sunday 26^th March, Nigel again being CoC and myself Sec of the meeting. I think by now Nige has covered every yard of those woods on foot! Hands on deck also from Andrew R, Andy P, Simon O and Mike W in the setting up and arrowing and John T on trailer transport.  

55 entries, down a little on the bikes from last year, I think largely due to a clash with a couple of other events taking away some potential entrants. (really good to see 6 outfits back out though). Always tricky to avoid clashing with something. Nonetheless, a very wet spell in the lead up but thankfully a dry (give or take the odd quick shower) day on the Sunday. Challenging ground conditions meant for a generally high scoring day but as a club event the emphasis is on an enjoyable day out with some friendly competition in a relaxed atmosphere. The catering van seemed popular and doing well. Great to see an increasing number of youngsters, so much so we had enough for a very tightly contested junior class in the trial bikes – well done Zak. Well done also to the overall award winners, Steve Kingstone taking the Cycle Bowl for motorcycles, Alan & Patrick Keat the Newman Cup for outfits and Dean Vowden the Fulford Cup for cars. Huge thanks to Nigel, Mr Newman for his continued support in us using the woods, all helpers, entrants and of course the marshals who make it all possible.

The Lands End up next over the Easter weekend, with again a good club representation in the programme both on officiating duties and competing. Simon O and Mr Toad will lead the car field away and I hope the Dutton will be ready to go to follow behind for my first venture back on to the hills for 6 years. 

A little break in our own events now until the Northgate Sporting Trial in May. 
Simon R

The Launceston Trial Pic’s

Tuck Box was popular !

Launceston Trial summary of results.
Fulford Cup:-Dean Vowden, Patrick Warren       Cycle Bowl :- Stephen Kingstone
Newman Cup :- Alan & Patrick Keat
Class awards:- Jon Moores/Jason Procter; Dave Haizelden / Dee Champion;  
Ashley Ruby / Mike Holden;        Rob Holden / Paul Nevitt;    Simon Tilley
Novice Award:-       Samuel Teagle / Roger Teagle;    Jack Tilley
Junior Class Award:-  Zak Ruby.    1^st Class Award:-   Andy Seward

                                                Calendar of Events
20^th April Social Evening  Warin Kelly will be giving a talk with photos on his years in motorsport, from early inspiration from his father at building specials, racing and trialling the various cars he built to all the frustration that goes with it. A nice relaxing evening, Tresmeer Village Hall 7.30pm. Bar open.

27^th April  Committee meeting at Tresmeer Village Hall,  all welcome.

13^th May Northgate sporting Trial at Ashleigh, Lifton come and enjoy watching or even marshal.

Around the clubs

Easter Good Friday/Saturday it’s the MCC Lands End Trial, Mineshop at Crackington is always a favourite with spectators, or if you don’t want to get up too early there’s always Blue Hills, St Agnes.

27^th April Camel Vale MC have their Presidents Trial at Bonyalva Woods, Liskeard. Run on classic trial reg’s
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Simon Oates and Mr Toad have been out and about again.

 Stroud & District Motor Clubs Cotswold Clouds Trial 2023 on 5^th February 2023

Dry conditions and a sharp frost greeted us early in the morning at signing on for the Cotswold Clouds trial. Great organisation and facilities at Fromebridge Mill with breakfast if you wanted plus a first view of the route card for the days trialing. I normally print off a few days before a trial, mark the restarts and any other important details, but these were handed out at signing on. I thought it brilliant to give a bit of history of the sections in the route book – well thought out. We left the start at the allotted time (8.23am) and followed the route card to Crawley OS 1 with a drive up a woodland track with first sun beaming through the trees.

A lovely way to ease into the trial. Crooked Mustard OS 2 followed after a short wait at holding control. Plenty of cars returning to the bottom and past us having failed the hill. The plan was to hit the second corner high, then go across the hill and high on the next corner around the slab and bish, bosh hill conquered. The first bit went to plan but I didn’t get enough speed or get high enough to clear the slab. A little smoke and quickly stopped by a marshal. The car then slewed sideways across the slab on to 3 wheels. Eventually a marshal put some weight on the front passenger mudguard and we manager to do the ‘drive of shame’ back down the hill, 5 points dropped already.

Nice clear instructions of where to go brought us the Nailsworth Ladder OS 3 which had a lower restart for us. The start of the section was a sharp right onto a pretty rough stoney track with a wall on the left before the restart. No problem with a gentle restart but the engine was struggling a little for power and got there eventually. We followed the route past The Bear Hotel and right into holding control where we waited for 30 mins under a hedge shadow that was a bit chilly. Local Ice creams were available in the shop – brrrrr. When it was our time we followed the route to the bottom of Ham Mill OS 4 where we blasted up the lane with a kink in the middle to come out opposite the holding control. Tyres were pumped up and on to Bryan’s OS 5 where there was only a restart for class 8 which only stopped two of them. The hill when wet could be tricky, but today it was lovely with beech leaves covering the ground – quite a picture! Once down the hill we were presented with Rogers Observed Test 1 ably manned by fellow Liege owner Dick Glossop.

A simple timed start on A and stop astride line B made more difficult on a downhill lie and unknown stopping distances for the track! All went OK with a time of 7.78sec and a quick chat with Dick. Along the road to Wicked Juniper OS6 and a restart for us in class 7. Can be very slippery especially when wet but luckily for us the conditions were dry and the restart successful. Merves Swerve OS 7 again can be nasty when wet and tree roots above the class 7 & 8 restart. I planned to stop just over the restart and blast up the roots, all of which worked to get clear to the top. The next section was Climperwell OS 8 where there was a short run up through the trees with a restart for class 8 which claimed no cars. A different story if it had been wet.

We then moved on to Bull Banks OS 9 where a restart waited for everyone. The section looks innocent enough but the restart was very short of grip. Tyre pressures were 15 psi for classes 6, 7 & 8. Luckily we eased the car gently off the line and went on to the top of the hill. We carried along the main roads for a few miles to Station Lane Special Test 2 which was a similar format to the previous one and was completed in 14.85 secs. We carried along the route to Jerrys OS 10 with a restart for 5, 6, 7 & 8 on a higher restart line. Once at the line I tried to feed the power in progressively but only got to the 3 and the tree roots too slippery for me. On reflection I should have gunned it to the top. Then again, that might not have worked. Further along we got to Talbot’s Terror OS 11 with a higher start line which we blasted off to the top and back down to Hyde Bank OS 12 with a restart for 7 & 8. A short section which is easy to forget and didn’t stop a single car. Different if it had been wet though!  Rick’s Revenge OS 13 was a little further along and had a tricky restart for class 8 with a tight corner before the finish. The car climbed well with no problem to the finish.

With conditions dry and firm under foot there was every opportunity for a clean sheet for someone. I managed to drop 8 points and was 2^nd in class 7. If only I’d cleared Crooked Mustard it would have been good enough for a trial win. I bet a few thought the same on the day. Cracking sections, route book, marshals and organising team. Overall a brilliant trial. Hope I’ll be back next year but I guarantee the weather won’t be as kind again.

North Devon Motor Clubs 75^th Anniversary Exmoor Trial 2023 12^th February 2023

The week following the Cotswold Clouds proved to be a painful one for me. The lower back pain that I had been suffering from decided to work its way into the left sciatic nerve causing sleep deprivation, a load of pain and a grumpy Mr Toad pilot. Regardless, I decided that sitting was probably the most comfortable position and it wouldn’t be a safety hazard doing the trial on the Sunday. I picked John Turner up from the side of the road at 6.30 and we trailered the car up to the start at Porte Farm, Kentisbury which was only 90 minutes away on clear roads. Once there we unloaded and signed in through gritted teeth (20yds of walking before the pain kicked in).

Out of the field at 8.41am to the first Porte Farm OS 1 where we were gently broken into the Trial with a slippery open track up the side of the field. All cleared and on further into the field to Porte Farm OS 2 which was steeper, more slippery and a restart which overall caused no problems. On leaving the section we waited for the next section to clear before crossing it and watched Keelan Hancock and Stacey Skelton attack the restart of section 3 with determination in their class 8 VW Renegade which as the marshal said, ”that proves it can be done”. We followed the last of the class 8 cars on to Porte Farm OS3 which was again slippery to the restart. I failed to get off the restart by not easing off the line which resulted in too much wheelspin and no forward motion! Phil Thomas and ‘Father’ made it all look too easy in their Melos and didn’t miss a beat. Once the tyres were pumped up, we turned left on to the main road and followed instructions to Loxhore Cott OS 4 which is a bridleway. Tyre pressures adjusted before the start and off up the sunken track on the side of a field which proved to be rutted and rough.

Once completed we continued on to Beccotts Lane OS 7 where most cars were a little confused with the route card instructions to get there. The marshals also were surprised to see the cars on the section, but that is what the card said. Further confusion about where Snapper OS 5 was and if we had to go back to do it (no we didn’t). Following route card again we moved on to Stoodleigh Stream OS 8 in the felled woods and failed the restart by dropping back over the line while pulling the hydraulic handbrake on. I’ll try not to do it again! Further along the track was Corner Climb OS 9 which proved to be straight forward, or did I touch a marker? (No, it was OK) There was a short wait before attempting Stoodleigh Steep OS 11 with a lower restart for classes 5, 6 & 7. We got the restart no problem, set off and the engine wouldn’t pull strongly away even with dipping and riding the clutch. Only managed a 4 and moved on to the next hill depressedL after watching Phil Thomas clear it with ease. He did say he was slipping the clutch on all of the hill above the restart. Clockhay Climb OS 12 was a good slippery undulating climb to the top with only 3 cars failing to complete. Back out of the woods and following the route card to Rogers Garage in South Molton for fuel and a ½ hour break before continuing to Holdridge Hell OS 13.

A few cars had now passed us (presumably not taken break?) and we waited for our turn with a higher restart for classes 3 – 7. It turned out to be to be a successful restart and cleared the hill. On to Holdridge Hill OS 14 which was a left turn up into the woods. The cars in front were struggling to get very high so expectations were low. We just put our foot to the floor and dropped the clutch with amazing results with the front wheel clearly going through the 4 but by the time the marshal had climbed the hill, we had slid back down the hill and given a 4 and not a 3. With my poor performance so far, it wouldn’t make much of a difference to my trial anyway. Back to the tarred roads again and on to a queue of cars waiting to tackle High Bray OS 15. I got out of the car for a bit of a stretch and quickly discovered how quick the pain stopped me in my tracks. Funny how it’s fine while in the car. When we finally got to the marshal at the bottom of the hill we mentioned the restart and were told there were 2 (not in the instructions) and we were on the lower one. We let a couple of failed cars past and set of up the hill. I was concentrating on the route to take and John suddenly shouted ‘Stop’. I pulled the anchors on with the car at a jaunty angle astride the restart line. Not an ideal start position but I had completely missed the restart markers, thank you John Turner for being awake!! We somehow managed to get off the line and scrabbled to the top with me still in a shocked state of mind. We later saw Philip Francis and he must have been in the same frame of mind as me except he completely missed the restart which cost him 10 points. Gutting for him as he had driven like a star and only dropped 3 points before the section which would have been enough to win the Trial overall.

On to Bentwitchen Observed Test 1 with front wheels on the start line to all wheels through line B, reverse back with all wheels through line B and astride line C, all done in 18.72 secs. We now made our way north to Floyds Bank OS 16 where tyre pressure limits were applied. We followed the right-hand track through the gorse and back up on to the road again. The section caught a few cars out. Then further up the road Cross Lane OS18 was to the left. Tyres let down again and cruised up to the top without issues. The last section was the renowned Beggars Roost OS19 which had a restart for all cars which only managed to stop 1 car. All section now completed and off to the Old Station House Inn at Blackmoor Gate to sign off and see the end of the first half of a below average England v Italy in the 6 nations. We somehow managed 2^nd in class 7 which I still can’t believe. Another stonking overall win by Jack Selwood and Abbie Jeffery in their class 8 DP Ford special. Phil Thomas still managed a class 7 win and Karen Warren and Emma Wall Beetled to a win in class 6. David Hazelden again won class 5.

In summary, we had wonderful weather, relatively dry conditions, cracking views, brilliant marshals, superb sections but the only slight problem was the route card which was sometimes obscure and written in an unusual way compared to others! Once you got your head around its peculiarities, it was fine!

A brilliant effort by the organising team – keep up the great work, thank you so much.
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Tailpiece

Work on the various projects have been a little slow, a shoulder injury hampered my work speed, and the much anticipated new chassis for the 2CV has yet to arrive, I’ve seen photos of it and it looks great, but until it actually arrives in my yard there’s not much more I can do, although to be fair I have a list of other jobs to keep me busy along with a somewhat life changing situation.

Informal notice : Some of our close friends are aware but others of you may not be, eight days ago Vivien and I had a bit of a surprise, we became Euro Millions lottery winners. As you can imagine this was more than a bit of a shock, for three days we kept looking at each other almost in disbelief, is it really true, can this be happening ?                                       

The answer was yes and believe me it really is life changing, in order for us to come to terms with it we have decided to take a three week cruise, something we have never even anticipated before, holidays for us were always a few days away in the campervan. The time away will give us the space we need to focus on what has happened and how we re-evaluate things, one thing is for sure I will not be turning my back on the club, at the AGM I said I would continue in my positions as held then (albeit at that point I knew nothing of the win).

For now, It’s Bon voyage and see you in a month.                                                                        

 J.T.         Please keep the contributions coming   billjan299@gmail.com

Spring will soon be here, the evenings are already lengthening, thank goodness, bulbs are coming up in the garden, but don’t leave the winter woollies in the drawer just yet, February and March can be very chilly.

Early January saw Richard Simpson and myself beetling off (no not actually in a Beetle) at around 5.00am to sign on for marshalling at Fingle Bridge for the  MCCExeter Trial, the rain was almost impressive which was a good reason to leave the Dellow at home and use the modern.

 A peculiar sight to behold at Fingle, lots of bods mingling around in the dark with torches trying to keep dry whilst we are waiting to be assigned our duties, I ended up on traffic control whilst Richard was getting people to form an orderly queue for the hill, this suited both of us as it gives you a chance to talk to competitors and spectators. There was extra entertainment at daybreak , basically watching the river level slowly rise and hoping it wouldn’t breach its banks and flood the pub. We heard that Tillerton Steep had already been cancelled due to a deep flood at the foot of the section, apparently the MCC had failed to provide the marshals with snorkels. 

Several of our club members appeared through the half light, Simon Oates and Simon Riddle, cheery as ever, probably because they had the hood up and were mostly dry, on their way to a Gold and a Triple.  Ray Goodright also on his way to a Tin award had moved from class R to class O in the very well turned out Arkley Midget with paintwork gleaming. I had to admire the attitude of the bikers who had ridden through some pretty awful weather during the night but on arrival at section were still cheery despite a few of them having trouble with water in the electrics, apparently it’s not considered a good mix. As can be seen from the accompanying photos there was the usual eclectic mix of cars, I think Richard had intended to take some pictures of the bikes but in the dark and during the deluge photography tends to take a bit of a back seat.

Above – This one driven by Liam James was one of two Dellows out, although Mike Leete claimed to be in a MK7 Dellow but I reckon it looked more like a beetle.

Below – Messrs Oates and Riddle (Sans roof) setting off for the hill, I do hope he looks where he’s going or is the Liege on auto pilot?

Above is the 650CC Citroen and the bottom picture shows the A 3300CC Model A Ford , with a somewhat well loaded Morris Minor somewhere in between, motorsport diversity at its best.

The river in full spate made interesting watching, must have been very concerning for the Pub owners although when we went in later for coffee, they seemed very relaxed about it.

Think I’ll cancel the picnic

BTRDA SPORTING TRIAL GOLD & SILVER STAR FINAL 2022

“Who knows where the time goes”, I certainly do not know. Another 12 months have flown by and yet again we are at Gold Star final time. Preparation was basically a hose down, set of plugs & top up with anti- freeze.
The entry consisted of 35 English drivers with 4 from Northern Ireland. Nigel Cowling and myself left home at 6.00 am at -5 degrees, kitted out in thermals plus many layers to travel to Frocester near Stroud, we arrived early so got scrutineered and fortified with a bacon & egg bap.

Clerk of Course, David Webster from Northern Ireland had done a super job at laying out safe sections given the conditions. The site is North West facing & did not get any sun all day with the result sections were frozen hard as the temperature stayed at zero throughout. Clearly grip was at a premium, in theory a fast trickle in first gear was required?

We were told to use 4 psi  we set off to tackle 3 rounds of 9 hills. At lunch time after 2 rounds Thomas Bricknell led by 4 points from Richard Sharp with Bob Packham in a live axle Kincraft just 1 further point adrift. In the Silver Class Matt Sharp in a live axle Sherpa was just 4 points in front of Jason Daniel. Alan Murton & myself were battling away further down the field in our own private little dice separated by only 1 point.

After the lunch stop tyre pressures were dropped to 2 pounds and thick fog descended.  Thomas drove a superb final round dropping only 4 points(67 in total) to stretch his lead  and win the Gold Star beating Richard Sharp (2nd ) with Bob Packham ( 3rd ).

In the Silver Star Matt Sharp consolidated his lead as Jason Daniel dropped away but finished second with John Cole taking 3rd place. Alan & I found more grip on 2 psi & continued our battle. Alan held his concentration better and I got lost in the fog with the result that he beat me by 9 points and 3 places. On the last section there were strange noises coming from Alan’s engine and he fortunately switched off before really serious damage was done. On stripping the engine on Monday he discovered that he had run a big end with some crank damage. I understand replacements have hopefully been sourced.

We were finished and loaded by 3.00 pm and nearly home by dark.

A most enjoyable Trial with the car not missing a beat (always a bonus) and I hope to be back next year.

A very well organised event, many thanks to the BTRDA officials & especially the good turnout of experienced Marshalls.

Last but not least many thanks to my passenger Nigel Cowling but even his clear prompts (or perhaps another phrase more appropriate) did not stop me messing up in the fog.

Full results & photos & videos on BTRDA facebook page-
hllps://en-gb.facebook.com
Mike Wevill

Forthcoming Events

Thursday 16^th February, committee meeting at Tresmeer Village Hall 7.30pm.

Friday 3^rd March Annual Club Awards evening at Trethorne Leisure Centre, tickets are £20 for adults, children under 12 £10 (subsidised by the club). Please book your tickets with Lisa Gregory or contact any committee member.

Thursday 9^th March Annual General Meeting at Tresmeer Village Hall 7.30pm, come and have your say in the running of the club. There are two positions that will become vacant , that of Chair and also Secretary, both these positions are important to the general running of the club so please give it some consideration.

Sunday March 26^th Launceston Trial for the Fulford Cup. Once again nifty Nigel and the team will be putting on this event at Lew Woods by kind permission of Mr P Newman. This event is a single venue event but run as per classic trial regulations, includes cars and motorcycles.

Product Review
LNCMC Draper
Good under pressure
By Richard Simpson

A relatively cheap, robust, and easily-portable powered tyre-inflator would go down well with a lot of trials competitors, whether on two or four wheels. After I’d wrecked a comparatively expensive German foot pump trying to seat a 4.00 x 18Pirelli trials tyre (100 psi got it on the rim, left it for a couple of days, let it down to a sensible pressure and the bead promptly hopped off the rim again),   I was prepared to try a mechanised solution. I stumbled upon the Draper 12 Cordless Air Compressor 20582 that looked like it might be man enough to work in the garage, and light and portable enough to be practical on the course/road. It can inflate tyres to up to 150 psi via a 15 cm flexible hose, and incorporates various power sources and lighting systems. There’s an LCD pressure gauge reading in PSI, KPa and bar, and a needle nozzle, and air-bed nozzle, besides the Schrader valve for car and motorcycle tyres. But there’s no Woods connector for narrow cycle valves. You can program it to shut off when it reaches a pre-determined pressure So, readers, I bought one!

It’s of pistol-grip design with an array of LED lamps in what would be the front of the trigger guard if was a gun. It comes with an Li-Ion battery and mains charger, plus an adaptor and power lead for a 12 v car lighter socket. The idea is that you use the battery in the workshop and the car lead (with the engine running because it draws a lot of power) on the road. Apparently, the Li-Ion battery can be a fire-hazard in the car, which may give anyone considering buying an electric car (which is basically made from Li-Ion batteries) pause forthought. In use, it does pretty much what is asked of it, although the casing feels a bit more flimsy than it looks. Be warned: the battery will work at full power until it is discharged…the machine just stops rather than running down gradually. It’s also perhaps just a little too bulky to carry on a motorcycle: it only just fits into the supplied ‘handy’ storage bag. And that’s the downside dealt with.

Upside is it successfully generated sufficient power to seat that trials tyre properly, and when I got another bike with a Tubliss set up (small high-pressure innertube securing a tubless tyre on a tubed rim) it coped with that too!

The LED lighting system is also, literally, a brilliant companion in the workshop. It could also be very useful in emergency situations…it switches from white to flashing red lights and the red flashing lights can be switched to signal SOS in Morse Code …—… Does anyone even know what Morse Code is these days?

Price is around £50 – £60. I’ve seen them in Maunders and Machine Mart but got mine online from Demon Tweaks https://www.demon-tweeks.com/uk/draper-12v-cordless-air-compressor-dra20582/

More from Richard Simpson
Triumph Motorcycles

LNCMC Triumph

At some point in the next year or so Triumph Motorcycles is going to launch a full-on range of motocross and enduro bikes.

Meanwhile, in rural Dorset, former Haynes four-stroke winner, engineer and farmer Martin Perrett is keeping the marque’s name alive in Twin-Shock and Evo racing.

The story begins back in the late 1970s, when Martin and his brother built a bike dubbed the Perrett Protoype, which featured a unit Triumph 500cc twin with a Webber carb in a home-built chassis, using a Manx Norton forkleg as a monoshock rear suspension unit. The bike was actually raced in the Haynes series and ACU meetings by much-loved local Roscoe Shepherd: notable at the time for being probably the top (if not the only) black motocross racer in southern England, until a bad crash sadly ended his career.

Martin is still building Triumph-based motocross bikes, and his latest creations were in Action at the Farleigh Castle Veterans MotoCross last Summer.

Built on KTM chassis and gearboxes, the Triumph engines are turned around to line up the primary drives with the KTM clutches, meaning the exhausts point backwards! Two chassis are used: one a twin-shock and the other an evo (single shock rear end).

Tailpiece

As you can see from the above January has actually been busy one way or another, it’s been a bit like it with me, whilst the Dellow is quietly sleeping under its dust sheet in the garage and hopefully one day finding a new owner I have been beavering away at the 2cv, AKA Mona the Vampire attacking the rust with grinder and welder. It never ceases to amaze me the availability of parts available for the classic vehicle market, both 2 & 4 wheeled variety. With the Citroen I firstly replaced the complete rear panel that houses the back lights etc, next was the front vent and lower half of the windscreen frame, and now the lower bulkhead to floor panel. The body as can be seen from the photo below removed/detached from the chassis, the latter of which is to be replaced with a new galvanised one with sump and fuel tank guard.

Once this is done I shall be putting more thoughts to the engine, again various options available including a conversion kit for a 900 cc BMW motorcycle unit which would be fun although I suspect it might not go down too well with some scrutineers as for class 1 eligibility, or maybe yet another supercharger implant? Decisions, decisions.

The scissor lift unit really makes life much easier on tasks such as these leaving the body dangling in the air.

All for this month but keep the contributions coming  J.T.
billjan299@gmail.com