Category Archives: Uncategorized
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Our last trial of the year was held at Ashleigh Lifton on 10th December. This trial was the last round of the ASWMC Championship but the positions had already been decided with Thomas Bricknell being the clear winner. This meant the Gloucester contingent, apart from John Cole, did not travel leaving an entry of only seven providing a friendly trial that is just about viable.
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Tamar Trial 2023 Regs and Entry Forms
76th TAMAR CLASSIC RELIABILITY TRIAL
In memory of Pete Cooper 1950 – 2021
Entries are now open for the Tamar Trial which will take place on Sunday the 22nd of October 2023. The regs and entry form are available to download below.
Tamar Trial 2023 Car Regs (1787 downloads) Tamar Trial 2023 Motorcycle Regs (1720 downloads) Tamar Trial 2023 Entry Form (1613 downloads)This year’s event is again being run in memory of our long-standing Clerk of the Course, Pete Cooper who very sadly passed away in 2021. Pete put a huge number of hours of work into the Tamar and many other grassroots motorsport events over the years and his hard work was rewarded with the Tamar Trial being awarded trial of the year in both 2019 and again in 2021. Indeed, in Pete’s memory there is an award for the best car performance by a club member on the Tamar.
The 2023 route will head west to start, skirting Bodmin Moor for some classic hills and hopefully some new sections. Then back towards the Tamar valley around late morning/lunchtime before crossing the Tamar into West Devon for the afternoon hills. Angel Steps, Lew Woods, Park Impossible are all planned favourites that will be familiar to competitors
Entries close on Saturday the 14th of October.
Entries can be made online at: www.lncmc.co.uk/online-entry/. and we encourage
competitors to use this facility, however, paper copies with cheques are also very welcome to the details below.
David Ayers 2023 Regs and Entry Form
The regulations and entry form for The David Ayers Trial 2023 are now available to download below.
David Ayers 2023 Regs Amended 16/8/2023 (1451 downloads) David Ayers 2023 Entry Form (1465 downloads)The trial will take place at Trevilla Farm, Marshgate, Camelford, Cornwall, PL32 9YN on
Sunday 10 September 2023.
Map Ref. 190 145911.What3Words Lane Entrance –
STILTED.CURTAINS.DIGNITY Field – EMINENT.SLICK.APPOINTS
We will also be needing marshalls for this event so if you would like to volunteer please email Mike Wevill at j.wevill@btinternet.com.
Entries close on Tuesday 5th September 2023.
We are only accepting paper entries for this event so the online entry system won’t be used.
Northgate Trial 2023 Regs and Entry Form
Entries are now open for the Northgate Trial 2023. The entry fee is £40 with entries closing on the 8th of May.
The Regs and Entry form for the event are available to download below. We’re not making use of the online entry system for this event, so please send us your paper entries in the post.
Northgate Trial 2023 Regs (1578 downloads) Northgate Trial 2023 Entry Form (1786 downloads)
The Trial will take place on Saturday 13th May at Ashley Farm, Lifton (MR201/395842) (What3Words -GUITAR.CHEMISTRY.CONFUSION) by kind permission of Paul Webber.
Newsletter August 2022
Yes frightening isn’t it, August ! Well it’s been a bit of a busy year one way or another and I’ve not even started the Christmas shopping, to be honest being a bloke I’m not supposed to give it any thought until Christmas eve. Anyway it’s still Summer so make the most of it, what would be really good is if someone could write a piece about any long distance journeys they have done this year, (I went from Lanson to Exeter last week but I don’t think it really counts) so come on put your fingers to the keyboard and let us know what you’ve been up to.
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The following account should have been in last month’s newsletter but somehow computer skulduggery lost it so here it is now.
Sporting Trial Festival 21st May 2022
It was pleasant to be mentioned by Mike Wevill in the last newsletter as an attendee at the Sporting Trial Festival held at Long Compton in May, I’m not sure if Mike was being diplomatic or did not know about our woes! I have been on Martyn Halliday’s radar since he started the Historic Trials thing, I had originally intended to use the Coates Special in their events but having prepared it with MCC and ACTC events in mind it had become too heavy to be competitive, in addition whilst I have all the cables etc forthe fiddle brake there was limited room for the operating levers in the car.
When the Heritage class was announced I was straight in there, feeling the Coates was just what it was all about.
We entered the first event, a glossy programme was printed and we had submitted a short resume of the car and a couple of photographs, as I recall the trial was scheduled to take place at Crewkerne.
Sadly, we then all suffered the onslaught of Covid and the event was postponed, we do have a glossy programme though.
Post Covid the postponed event was promoted just after the John Aley Trial, my entry went straight in and a three night stay at the Hollies Hotel was booked for Ruth and I, unfortunately after gaining a silver in the JA the little car expired on the return to Tavistock.
A couple of pistons had melted and an engine overhaul was required, it became apparent that we would not be ready in time for the trial, we utilised the booking went to the trial and gossiped, then spent some time looking at the surrounding area and relaxing.
Those of you who are aware of my exploits in the Coates will know that the little beast has been performing well since the relaxation of the Covid rules, three MCC golds and the resulting Triple, a number of successful entries in ACTC events with a view to undertaking as many as possible championship rounds, and no “Did not Finish” in any event, it was looking good.
I was aware of the Long Compton Trial but had not entered as 2022 was intended to be focused on MCC and ACTC championship events, then I realised the little car was going well and there was nothing on until September, I discussed it with Ruth and we knew we could do the trip and back in a day (we have a pony and a number of cats, so for both of us to be away overnight requires some planning), a single site event so minimal car mileage, let’s do it.
Ruth and I are both hoarders, both our late Mums were hoarders, the result being we have a house full of “stuff”, we are hoping to move to the South West and to downsize and to this end have tried being ruthless, with varying degrees of success. One of the “heirlooms” was my grandmothers bone china tea service, probably dating from 1900, beautiful but not used since our ownership and has been in a display cabinet for the last 20 years.
Too good to chuck out but who would want it, I then thought of a cousin whose daughter is getting into the family history thing, a call was made and she was delighted to be the next custodian of the artefacts. They live in the Milton Keynes area, could they make it to Long Compton, they have no idea what a trial is, just something their strange relative has done for some years, so come and have a day out.
The day arrives we leave on time, M20, M25 and M40 all go well and we are there on time, car unloaded, starts well, Ruth gets us breakfast from the burger bar, we see Nigel Hilling and some other West Country stalwarts, chat to all sorts of people, all is well.
Then the drivers briefing, all ok accept we are required to carry a pen and mark a score card, we drive back to the truck to get a pen, as we pull up the car dies, it never does that!
A quick check, we have fuel at the carb, must be the spark, I change the trigger unit in the distributor, still nothing, then it appears to be flooding, it will start on choke but not run without it, we run it with the fuel pump switched off with Ruth switching it back on intermittently, all of sudden it is ok.
Keeping in number order for some reason is of great importance, having lost some time getting it going we are now out of sequence and get criticised for it, we explain and this seems to pacify the official. On the first of our sections I get the route wrong and lose 6, the marshall takes the mickey, “you’re not on a classic trial now, no need to blast about”, I recognise him as a regular official from most of our other events, on the second section I think we lose 1 or 2 but spin out in some reeds, this definitely needs more thought. On the third section I watch the others and identify the turn where they are all failing, Ruth and I agree our proposed route and all goes to plan, we just have the climb out where it appears no one else has got to. Early in the day it is still damp and we cannot make the last climb but pass the 2 marker of the section, we roll back to get out and to cut a long story short, unbeknown to us something solid in the undergrowth gets caught under the nearside front wheel, turns back with the wheel, gets locked up with the mudguard bracket, totally trashes it and rips out the hydraulic brake pipe!
We clear the section and now only have (the very effective) handbrake, we make the decision that it’s not feasible to continue, take the car back to the trailer, load it up, get a tea and go to watch the sections.
To say we are disappointed is an understatement, all those events where the little trooper has been flogged mercilessly, covered hundreds of miles and never missed and we get stuffed in a field, oh well that’s motor sport! We then spy Cousin and daughter looking for the truck, we go to meet them, show them the now defunct car, get out the chairs we have bought, pass over the china (she is delighted), more teas and we go through a number of old family photos I have that I want Alice to have, the wonderful thing is that they already have some photos and I am able to identify some of the relatives they cannot.
We spend a wonderful sunny afternoon relaxing in the countryside and just talking about family stuff, we have not all met up for possibly a year prior to Covid, we eventually leave when everybody else does and have a good journey home, but it was a long expensive 3 sections.
We seem to be fated in these events; will we do the next one? Almost certainly, as was remarked it is the Goodwood of Trials!
And what is next? Well as I write this, I am working on the ex-Stuart Highwood Marlin that I have entered the MCC 3-day trial with, I am aware that the Launceston Club is playing a big part in officiating at this event and I am very appreciative of the work you all do.
I should also like to thank those in the club who supported the suggestion to put cars like the Coates into class 2.
My normal passengers (is that an oxymoron) are not available so have convinced an old motorcycle friend to accompany me, he is very competitive and in going through the format of the event and instructions he is spurring me on to really go for it, my own thoughts are that more emphasis needs to keep the car going for 3 days! By the time you read this I expect the event will have passed and we will see who was correct.
Best wishes
Roger Ashby.
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Motor Traders Trial results held 05/07/2022
Motor Traders Trophy Phil Thomas
Class awards to Nigel Shute, David Robinson, Calvin Moores.
Novice award Liam Hartley
U18 award Patrick Warren.
Many thanks to John Werring for the use of his land.
Our next event is the Testing Trial to be held at Trevilla Farm Marshgate by kind permission of David Langley. Reg’s for this are on the club website and can also be found on the club facebook page.
We will be back at Trevilla again on the 11th of September for the David Ayers Sporting Trial.
As always both events can only run if we have marshal’s so if you are able to help it would be very much appreciated, no experience needed, you get them at the events. (:
Tamar Trial.
Nifty Nigel and the gang are well on their way with the preparations for this years Tamar Classic Road trial in October, mutterings were heard of “new sections” and a change of route so watch this space.
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Our club were invited to have a stand at this year’s Launceston Show, the weather on the day was hot and sunny so the crowds were out in force. We were lucky enough to have a superb line up of cars and Phil Ridgeman brought his Honda motorcycle along to add to the interest. Our roving reporter/cameraman Andy Prosser managed to take some snaps in between talking to the many interested visitors to the stand, well done all the club members who gave up their time on the day.
Chairman’s Chat
The Motor Traders Car Trial was our last event, held at Waterloo Farm. It attracted a good entry including two members of the Hartley family driving Simon Oates’s Torum Special and the Liege. Liam Hartley winning a novice award in Torum. Simon was also busy running the event so special thanks to him for all his support and hard work.
Everyone seemed to enjoy competing and congratulations to Phil Thomas who won the Motor Traders Trophy. It was good to see a MK2 Escort in competition, particularly in a very period colour. Patrick Stewart took the under 18 award in it too.
Our next event is a Testing Trial for the Invitation Trophy at a familiar venue that is new for this event. Thanks to the Langley family it is at Trevilla Farm. That will be a familiar place to many as we also hold the David Ayers Sporting Trial there and there are one or two sections each year in the Tamar Trial – Langleys is the best known of these. Entries are now being taken for this event so get yours in now.
Simon Oates was also very busy organizing our stand at the Launceston Show. Thanks to a last minute demand on my time to provide a family taxi service and carry out modifications to my daughter’s camper van I was in Bovey Tracey so was unable to attend as planned. I look forward to hearing all about it. There has also been a recent meeting of the Tamar Committee, Nigel Cowling, Simon Riddle and their team are well on task planning our round in the ACTC championship to be held in October.
I am still contemplating whether to organize a social run in the early autumn, Having received no positive feedback I await interest. It is also pending information from MSUK to determine what, if any, permit is required.
I hope to see you at the Testing Trial later this month, in the meantime stay cool in the unusually hot and dry weather.
Joe Caudle
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Tail piece.
The garage is fairly quiet at the moment with only minor tinkering with the Dellow and various scooters, so nothing to report (fingers crossed)
All for this month J.T. don’t forget those contributions billjan299@gmail.com
Motor Traders 2022 Regs and Entry Form
The regulations and entry form for the Motor Traders Car Trial 2022 are now available to download below. You can also use the online entry section of the website to submit your entry.
Motor Traders 2022 Entry Form (1407 downloads) Motor Traders 2022 Regs (1657 downloads)<br style=”clear:both;”>
The trial will take place on Sunday 10th July 2022 by kind permission of John Werren and family at Waterloo Farm, North Petherwin, Nr. Launceston, PL15 8LL (MR 190/285880).
Entries Close on Wednesday the 6th of July 2022.
Another attempt to ban trials and green-laning: what’s going on?
A seemingly innocent Government consultation on the countryside has been hi-jacked by various groups who will use it as an opportunity to stop recreational motoring and motorcycle in in the countryside.
A small but well-funded anti-access organisation supported by large landowners called ‘GLEAM’ says on its website: “The Government is consulting on its response to the review of protected landscapes and has included questions which give the public and organisations the opportunity to call for the prohibition of recreational motor vehicles on green lanes.”
In other words, they are looking to end long-distance trials and green-laning as we know them, and are attempting to get organisations such as the Ramblers to get their members to join in and get us banned from the countryside for good.
Will they succeed?
They could well succeed unless opposed, which is where we come in. The consultation is being managed by a former MP and large landowner (now a Lord) who has a track record of opposing public access to the countryside. We can expect no favours from that direction.
What should we do?
Click on to the consultation using the link below, and fill in the details requested. Remember this is a private response from you as an individual. The Club, along with other motoring organisations, is making its own response, so there is no need to mention that you are a member of the Club or any other motoring organisation:
You don’t have to answer all the questions: Questions 14 to 16 are the important ones and the critical one is Question 16, which reads
Should we legislate to restrict the use of motor vehicles on unsealed unclassified roads for recreational use, subject to appropriate exemptions?
The answer is obviously no!
You can use the space set out to explain that you enjoy motoring/motorcycling in the countryside, that it is good for your mental and physical health, that it constitutes ‘active recreation’ that it brings benefits to struggling rural businesses trying to recover from the economic damage of lockdown, that lanes are kept open for all by the occasional passage of motor vehicles, and any other reasons you can think of. Local authorities already have regulatory powers to restrict motor use where there is a legitimate reason to do so (while a route is being maintained, for example) so there is no need for more legislation from a Government that is supposed to be ‘deregulating’ where possible.
You can also question why this is being asked of recreational motor use only, when there is has been obvious damage caused on ‘honeypot’ routes through overuse by walkers and others? Is it discrimination against you, or is there some other reason that is not clear?
What if I don’t want to take part in the survey?
You can email your own written response to
landscapesconsultation@defra.gov.uk
Making your arguments in a polite and rational way. You could mention the long heritage of long-distance trials in the British landscape: The Motor Cycling Club has run the Edinburgh Trial since 1904 and other clubs including our own have been active for over a century; as well as the points that we have outlined above. Include your real name and postal address.
Can I encourage others to take part?
Yes. Your riding/driving friends are the best people to start with. Then, are there businesses like garages, pubs or hotels that you use when trialling or trail riding? Contact them and explain how a ban could cost them your business.
When do I have to do this by?
The consultation closes on 9 April.
Where can I find out more?
ASWMC Marshals’ Training Day – 12th February 2022
ASWMC are running a Marshals’ Training Day on 12th February 2022. The event will take place at Mansell Raceway, The Airfield Dunkeswell Aerodrome, Honiton EX14 4AH. Please email training@aswmc.org.uk to book your place.
For more information on training events contact the ASWMC Training Officer, email training@aswmc.org.uk, or visit Volunteers in Motorsport for more information.
Minehead Motor Club – Rollies Car Trial 31st October 2021 Regulations
Minehead Motor Club are holding Rollies Car Trial on the 31st of October. We have attached the combined regulations and entry form document below.
Entries close next week on Wednesday the 27th of October.
The trial will take place near Bratton, near Minehead, Somerset. TA24 8SR OS map reference 181/940458 with Scrutineering starting at 09:30 and the first car starting at 10:30
Minehead Motor Club - Rollies Car Trial 2021 Regulations (1118 downloads)<br style=”clear:both;”>
Testing Trial 2021 Results
We now have the final results for the testing trial 2021. You can download them below;
Testing Trial 2021 Results (1331 downloads)<br style=”clear:both;”>
Thank you to all the Competitors who took part & hope you enjoyed the day. Good to see all the little smiling faces.
Congratuations to Gareth,Greg & Kayleigh as major award winners & a really good effort from Callum Williams. Well done Tristan in the Taster event.
Special thanks to the Marshalls.
Hope to see you all next year. MJW