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