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. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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
The event is taking place on Sunday the 21st of August 2022 at Trevilla Farm Marshgate Camelford Cornwall PL329YN. What three words- STILTED.CURTAINS.DIGNITY and will consist of a number of observed tests. Marks will be awarded for completion of each test or section correctly as well as times taken where appropriate. There will be a number of tests and rounds dependent on time and size of entry.
Entries are open immediately and close finally on Wednesday 17th August 2022.
So we are now officially into the second half of the year and in terms of motorsport what an improvement over the last two years, last month was a particularly busy month, our own club was involved in running three events and many members were also busy doing their bit for the Jubilee celebrations so in all a busy time.
Chairmans Chat
I hope all our members are having a good summer, although today feels more like autumn. The recent Spry Trophy Trial took place at a new venue at Broadwoodwidger, thanks to Alan Murton for facilitating this new venue.
Last weekend many of us were involved in the MCC Dick Peachey 120th Anniversary 3 Day Trial. Many were officiating and marshalling on local hills and all seems to have gone smoothly.
Your Chairman was Chief Official at the lunch halt and time control at Race Hill car park in Launceston. Thanks to the support of the Town Council employees and an excellent team supporting me all went well. There were a lot of spectators to see the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Town Crier giving the competitors a good send off. Our club literally flew the flags and it was another opportunity to publicise our existence. I enjoyed meeting many old friends old and making new acquaintances.
Many spectators were also present to see the sights of a wide variety of vintage and modern motorcycles and cars both at the car park and as they passed through Launceston. Local cafes and purveyors of refreshments did good business throughout the afternoon so the local economy benefited.
It did feel slightly incongruous to see a classic reliability trial taking place in the middle of the summer. However those competitors I spoke to were enjoying the event. I think that Clerk of Course Dave Middleditch and the MCC are pleased with this innovation.I
Now we look forward to the Motor Traders Car Trial and the second Testing Trial of the summer. Both are enjoyable and sociable occasions and I look forward to seeing you there. Watch this space as it is hoped to have more news about a social event later this summer.
Joe Caudle
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The “Dreckly” Testing Trial As Nigel named it.
Smithson farm at Kelly proved a superb venue for this event, it’s all very low key and laid back with the emphasis on enjoyment. Once again there was a very good Junior entry with a varying age range and great to see kids being allowed to give it all they’ve got on the field, all helps to improve the riding skills.
In the adult (old folks) class the entry was quite diverse from the usual trials machines, to the Step Through squad, to Pete Turner on his recently acquired Greeves Trials bike. The cars also were at their most competitive, particularly with Kath Shute and daughter Emily competing with each other in the little hatchback. Calvin Moore was doing his best to scare his passenger/mother in the J2 MG, it’s ok though as he’s since passed his test, congratulations Calvin.
On the section that I was marshalling I was the start marshal, a little lad pulled up beside me on his bike with his dad keeping an eye on him, I explained to the little fella what he had to do and then said if you start your engine I will count you down, at this point dad intervened and said “it’s ok it’s electric” , it raised a good laugh anyway and with a twist of the throttle he silently shot off around the course.
Overall winner John Sandercock – Carr Cup. Luke Fry – Motorcycle Trophy
Well done to Nigel and the team for yet another enjoyable event, particular thanks to Lisa Gregory on her debut as entry taker.
J.T.
Spry Trial – Sunday 19th June – by Andy Prosser our Roving Reporter
Sunday the 19th June saw the annual Spry sporting trial being held at Higher Frankaborough Farm near Lifton for the first time, by kind permission of the Harvey family. The arrangements had been made thanks to club member Alan Murton who lives locally and a few of us joined him on the Saturday to lay out the sections. With steep grass fields and rain showers in prospect for the Sunday there was general concern about how difficult the trial could prove to be, how wrong we were on several counts! A total of 11 competitors competed on the day with three sections being run four times in the morning and a further three, four times in the afternoon.
It soon became obvious that due to no significant rain overnight that the mornings sections were going to be a lot easier than we thought, so the tyre pressures were upped from 5psi on leaving the paddock to 8psi before the first hill was attempted and the sections were significantly tightened. Despite this Duncan Stephens, double driving Jerome Fack’s MSR, was clean over the mornings 12 attempts with several others only picking up low single figures scores.
After a break for lunch it was decided to leave pressures as they were and see what the afternoon would bring – one thing was still no rain. It was amazing how little grip there was on the second part of the field compared to the first with many bemused faces wondering what had happened! Jason Daniel had a good morning only dropping four but really came in to his own in the afternoon, showing everyone else the way in his Crossle, with a final score at the end of the day of 28, the next nearest being Jerome on 40. What makes this particularly special is that Jason was being passengered by his daughter Grace for the first time and it was her 14th birthday that very day (this is the youngest you are allowed to be a passenger in a sporting trials car) – what a brilliant effort and result by the both of them. The club was also very grateful to Jason’s son Toby for helping marshal on the day.
Jason and Grace Daniel heading for another clean.
The novice award was won by Nigel Shute, very ably passengered by his wife Kath – as regular club competitors it was nice to see them pick up an award too. Several competitors had come down from as far away as the Forest of Dean which was great to see and everyone involved thoroughly enjoyed the day, with the added pleasure of everyone sharing Grace’s birthday cake at the end – a great event all round.
Nigel and Kath Shute on their way to winning the novice award.
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Future Events
10th July Motor Traders car trial at Waterloo Farm, North Petherwin by kind permission of John Werrin. Regs are on the website, car drivers of 14 years and above.
21st August Testing Trial, Marshgate TBC regs to follow.
An Invitation from Minehead Motor Club 4th September
Minehead Motor Club would like to invite members of Launceston & North Cornwall MC to the 51st running of the Derek Merson Exmoor Clouds Classic Trial, being held on the 4th of September. Following the successful 50th running of the event last year, in Headon & Periton Woods, we are delighted to announce that the Exmoor Clouds returns to a full road trial this year, open to entries on 2, 3 and 4 wheels. After the landmark event last year, a new organising team has come forward, ready to take the Exmoor Clouds into its next 50 years.
The event will return to its base at The Rest & Be Thankful Inn, at Wheddon Cross, from where competitors will head out on a route of approximately 75 miles across West Somerset and Exmoor, taking in around 15 sections and 2 Special Tests. The new team have worked hard to bring together a mix of new sections, while reviving some classic hills that were once cornerstones of the Exmoor Clouds in years gone by.
Entries can be made on the appropriate form and be either posted or emailed. Alternatively, if you would like a set of regs sent in the post, contact Event Secretary Norton Selwood on 07949 926621.
We hope you can come and join us for a day’s motorsport in the September sunshine!
(Regs will be available on the ACTC website from the 6th of July. www.actc.org.uk )
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Tailpiece
As chairman Joe mentioned our latest marshalling outing was for the MCC 3 Day Trial, with many club members out doing their bit and running hills, the Saturday of the 3 days was very much in our area so it was no mean feat to get volunteers to run all the hills. Thanks to everyone who supported and gave up their time for this significant event.
I was elected (by myself) to run Ruses Mill our motley crew arrived at the Mill around 10.00am to be greeted by other volunteers including one team from Barbrook ! They had left home at 6.30 am to get there, now there’s keen.
Once we had done all the deliberations as to who was manning which end it was down to getting familiar with operating the radios, somehow Dad’s Army came to mind, I think I was probably Captain Mannering although nobody said don’t panic to me. To my surprise the radio system worked very well with only a couple of minor hiccups. The competitors came through in a somewhat irregular fashion as it was a break from the norm in that cars and bikes were interspersed so you never knew what was going to arrive next, although it was a little later than expected by the time the course closing vehicle came through to close the hill.
Once we had picked up everything it was back home and open up the Trials App Live on the phone to enter all the scores, with Vivien reading them out and me inputting, this actually didn’t take as long as I feared it might and about an hour later it was all done and dusted.
J.T. All for this month Don’t forget contributions to billjan299@gmail.com.
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.
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).
Congratulations to Jason Daniels who won the event and will receive the Spry Trophy. The runners-up were Jerome Fack and Nigel Shute who both won class awards.
Thanks to all the competitors and marshall for a great event.
I don’t know how many of you are really thinking of motorsport or jobs to do in the garage, at the moment there is a big focus on the Jubilee Celebrations with village halls buzzing and street parties taking over neighbourhoods, perhaps it gives people time to reflect and enjoy what they have, away from our little island there is more than enough turmoil to contend with.
The club recently had a stand at the Launceston Steam & Vintage Rally, an ideal showcase for us to show the general public what we are all about, we had a good variety of machines present 2,3,&4 wheeled varieties and several members on hand to talk to anyone interested to know more, thanks to all the committee members for giving up their time, in particular Andrew and Lorraine Rippon for coordinating everything and taking charge, well, except for the erecting of the gazebos which was confusing as always but Lisa sorted it out by reading the instructions, we men aren’t big on reading instructions.
Chairman’s Chat
I hope you are all enjoying the spring weather although the temperature outside today is more conducive to writing this contribution than some fettling in the garage.
Our last event was the Northgate Trophy Sporting Trial and this was unfortunately curtailed due to Roy Hartley having a heart attack. Thanks particularly to Andy Prosser and other club members for their assistance for Roy and to the ambulance crew for helping them gain access down across the field and difficult terrain. The ambulance took Roy post haste to Exeter where he underwent expert care and treatment. Following his treatment Andy collected him from hospital and reports that Roy is now recovering with his family. We all wish him well and look forward to seeing him in the not-too-distant future.
The club is assisting the MCC to run a number of sections local to us and I am liaising with Launceston Town Council and Cornwall Council to arrange the lunch halt. The competitors will be in the Cornwall Council Race Hill car park from 11.30am onwards. Pat Gomm is officiating at the time controls in the car park and would appreciate offers of help. They are then due to pass though Launceston town centre to be waved off by a dignitary. Hopefully this will give Launceston a view of classic trials vehicles and help to promote our sport.
We are now looking forward to the summer events on our calendar and I hope to see as many of you as possible at those. There may be more news of social events as well soon.
Joe Caudle Chairman
SPORTING TRIAL FESTIVAL 21/5/2022
The Midland Trials Car Club announced plans to run a festival to cover Heritage ,Historic, Post-Historic & Modern cars & it seemed like a good idea to take part. However, because it was scheduled for a Saturday , when Nigel normally works ,the plan was shelved. I think we have all become a little ‘can I be bothered ‘ over the last 2 years & the thought of a three & half hour trip was off putting . Then with just over a week to go Nigel comes back with’ I have the day off’, so we are going.
Up at 4.30 & left home by 5.00. Overtaken by Murt’s van between Taunton & Bristol. Stop at Gloucester services & there was Murt ,Gill & Nigel Hosken at the counter . We took a brief stop for a bacon bap & expresso.
On crossing the car park I heard ‘ that brings back memories’, so got talking ‘did you compete’, answer ‘No but my family did, named Penhale ‘ . Is that from Holsworthy ? Yes my Dad was Allin Penhale. Reply –‘ I competed with your brother Richard in Sporting Trials in the 1980’s ‘ What a small world. For course Allin Penhale will be remembered by members of my age and older as a very successful regular competitor in Classic trials winning many of our Trophies .Richard is now living in Denver having been in the USA for many years. Photos of me & car were taken to send to Denver .
We then set off for Long Compton with Murt in pursuit & arrived on site at 8.45 where a large number of competitors were already parked. There were many familiar faces ,some from the classic car world & others not seen for a good many years. The format was- 3 Trials
HERITAGE ( entry 28)
Basically, 1950’s road going without fiddle brakes& including 11 Dellows & an Allard. These tackled 6 sections on the lower slopes 3 times. Familiar faces included Dave & Anna Robinson, Pete Tudor & Roger Ashby
HISTORIC & POST HISTORIC (55 Entries )
Historics are NTF cars from 1953 to early 1970’s with fiddle brakes & there were 30 side valve Cannons plus other specials. These guys appear to have an emphasis on having a jolly good time & often dress in period attire –namely flat cap, tweeds & tie. Also look to have a good picnic.Definitely from another era. Post Historics are NTF cars from early 1970’s to 1978 with mainly BMC A series , Imp ,Renault 16 & Ford crossflow engines & drum brakes. Again these classes tackled 6 sections 3 times on the medium slopes
MODERN ( entry 34)
This was the Jacobean Trial being a round of the BTRDA Championship. We tackled 6 sections 3 times on the steepest terrain & we ran on 8 psi.
There was a good local contingent comprising Murt ,Stewart Stamp, Jason Daniel, Duncan Stephens, Thomas Bricknell, Jerome Fack & myself.
I had 2 bogey hills which keep my score unnecessarily high but still kept in close contention with Murt & Jason ending just 5 points adrift but well down the field.
For the record the winners were- Heritage Martyn Halliday Lotus Historic Ian Wright Cannon Post Historic Simon Kingsley Kincraft Modern Thomas Bricknell Crossle
It was a privilege to take part in such a truly extraordinary event (117 entries) which was superbly organised by Josh & Elaine Veale & the MTCC team.
It was a pity that with simultaneous running we did not really have much opportunity to watch the older cars in action but I don’t think it could have been any other way.
All that remained was to load up after assisting a transporter beached on the corrugations of the field & start the long journey home followed by Murt . It was touch & go whether we could make home( 380 mile round trip )on a single tank so stopped for top up & expresso to keep awake Don’t know how we would manage such a trip in the future with an electric tow car ? Someone said it was like a Goodwood for Sporting Trials & that was a fair observation . I will probably look to go again another year after all it’s the taking part that matters.
As usual many thanks to my long suffering bouncer Nigel as without his enthusiasm I would probably have stayed at home. Mike Wevill.
GasGas 250cc Pampera Mk III For Sale
A rare opportunity to acquire a GasGas Pampera Mk III…recognised as one of the best long-distance trials bikes ever made. This bike is genuine one owner from new, and has recorded just over 3000 km. The original rear-wheel sprocket is still in place. It is one of the last two Pampera MkIIIs imported to the UK, and was purchased new from BVM of Stroud.
It is all original, except for Renthal trials bars and grips, nearly-new Pirelli trials tyres, security bolts, KTM handguards, and an Iris O-ring chain. Even the original speedo and indicators are still fitted and working. There is a good quantity of spare parts and consumables with the bike, including original type Vee-Rubber enduro tyres. All documentation is present, including the original bill of sale, handbook, sales brochure, and an information pack.
I’m selling because a Beta X-Trainer has replaced both it and my four-stroke trail bike. There is a small ‘ding’ in the front wheel rim (not a problem at MoT-time), and a small hole in the seat cover over the base. Apart from that, just a few little scrapes and scratches.
These machines only rarely come onto the market now.
Offers around £3000. Call Richard on 07812 402021
Future Events 12/06/2022 Testing / Production Trial at Smithson Farm Kelly.
Lisa Gregory is the entry taker and can be contacted through our facebook community page or you can enter online via the club website .
19/06/2022 Spry Sporting Trial. We have a new venue for this, Higher Frankborough Farm, Broadwoodwidger. Mike Wevill is your contact 01566 784451. Email j.wevill@btsupport.com
10/07/2022 Motor Traders Trial at Waterloo Farm North Petherwin.
MCC 3 Day Trial 24/25/26 June Our club is running hills on Day 2 of this event and as always any offers of marshalling help would be most welcome , contact myself on 07971 249783.
Anyone at a loose end on the 19th of June may want to come along to the Tresmeer Village Hall family treasure hunt. Starting at 2.00pm at the hall, all clues are done using the What 3 Words app, on completion return to the hall for tea and cakes.
So as you can see we are busy planning events for you the members to enjoy, in particular the Testing Trial is one that caters for all age groups in whatever form of vehicle you have, preferably not an electric one (only joking) as one of our Vice President’s Les Connect is yet to be convinced of the concept. Unfortunately his application to the local Council to turn his garage into a giant fuel store was refused, Les was last seen at a hardware shop in Newton Abott buying a pick and shovel with plans to excavate an underground fuel store under the veg plot in the garden.
All for this month, don’t forget to send contributions to billjan299@gmail.com J.T.
We won’t be making use of the online entry system for this event as it normally has low entry numbers.
The event will take place on Sunday 19 June 2022 at Higher Frankaborough Farm, Broadwoodwidger, Lifton ,Devon (mr 190/393916)( What 3 words-boards,footsteps.pylons) by kind permission of the Harvey family.
Welcome everyone to yet another fun thrilled action packed newsletter, or to look at it another way J.T. is waffling on again. We have two reports from the recent Lands End trial which was held in beautiful weather, the event was somewhat long, Richard and I spent the best part of 23 hours in the Dellow so it took a few days for our rear end’s to regain normal shape, when we got out of the car at Loggans Moor it was like a competition as to who could do the best John Wayne “walk”. We were both very grateful to Vivien bringing the trailer down to collect us, neither of us would have been too excited about a hour and a half drive home, but at least we got around and collected a Silver award to boot, despite that there were times when finishing was doubtful and a clutch which said “that’s enough”.
Committee member Simon Oates managed to win class 7 in the Liege so he must be getting to like the car now.
Other local competitors included Dave Craddock with a Class Win; Steve Urell and Julie Williams Field Award for MC Outfits; Ian Cundy Field Award Cars; Photos below also include David Symons, Darren Ruby and Phil Hingley.
ACTC Awards Evening
Jan Cooper and Nigel Cowling attended this event on behalf of the club, it was held at the Fingle Glen and Jan commented it was a very nice evening in good company and to top it off our club were awarded the Trial of The Year award for the 2021 Tamar Trial, this is now the fourth time our club has won the award, well done to all.
Forthcoming Events
Northgate Sporting Trial at Ashleigh Farm Lifton, Saturday 7th of May. This is a lovely venue and ideal for those who just want to spectate although we could as always do with some marshals. Anyone wanting to marshal please contact Mike Wevill 01566 784451. We will be back to Ashleigh again on the 19th of June for the Spry SportingTrial.
We recently had a very nice social get together at Launceston Golf Club. The next one is to be held at the Launceston Steam Rally on the 28th/29th/30th ofMay where the club will be having a stand, whilst we have some vehicles to display, if anyone has a suitable vehicle which they would like to show please get in touch.
Lands End Trial 2022 by Phil Hingley
I rode in the Lands End Trial in Class O on my old Triumph 500 with my friend Richard on a Suzuki DR350. Despite the perfect weather and entering the class for old codgers, beginners and unsuitable vehicles, I didn’t do as well as I had hoped but I still enjoyed it.
The MCC were celebrating the 100th anniversary of their first use of Beggars Roost. My Triumph joined the celebration by failing the restart. I let the clutch out and the back wheel just spun and failed to move me forwards. I must have stopped in a hole or against a stone or something. A marshal helped get me going again.
Kipscombe was the first of several easy tarmac lanes with restarts. My brother was marshalling here, so I had a little chat with him on the start line before riding up the hill. I nearly failed the restart by stopping before the box instead of inside it. Fortunately I realised just in time and stopped correctly. It would have been very embarrassing to have failed here.
A few miles after that, my throttle cable snapped. I was carrying a spare but I had no idea whether it would fit, but had no alternative but to find out. Fortunately it did, with a bit too much free-play but it meant that I didn’t have to retire from the trial. That fiddly little job took nearly an hour to do, and I was very grateful to Richard for providing illumination and for looking after tools and things for me.
After all these years, the refreshments at Sutcombe have moved from someone’s kitchen to a kitchen/garage a bit further up the hill on the other side of the road. A piece of cake and a cup of tea were just as welcome as ever here.
There was a long queue at Darracott, and then the car in front of me failed, which meant there was another 20 minute wait while he was recovered. The results show that I stopped in the restart box when Class O didn’t have to, so that was another fail. To be honest, I can’t remember anything about it but I’m not a fan of restarts so I am a bit annoyed with myself for stopping unnecessarily. Richard also failed here – his only fault in the whole trial.
I said ‘Hello’ and had a little chat with Vivien T. who was manning the restart box at Treworld. (You didn’t mention the hug Phil J)
At Bluehills, Class O have the choice of the old tarmac hill or Bluehills 2. Being Real Men, naturally we chose BH2. The hill seemed even steeper and rougher than usual and I fell off in a big way. It happened so fast that I didn’t know what I had done wrong. I thought the bike was heading for the cliff edge and into the sea! The marshals picked me and the bike up and got us going again. Rich said I received a nice round of applause from the crowd all the way up the section but I was too preoccupied to notice it. This was my worst ever fail on BH2, and I’ve had a few!
At the finish, we signed off and got ourselves a beer and met up with our friends Matt and Peter who had done the main trial on BSAs. They had both claimed Gold Awards and I wouldn’t have expected anything less from them as they are both really good riders. Afterwards I had an enjoyable ride back to Launceston in the late afternoon susnshine via my Demon Back Route which avoids most of the A30.
There was a time when I got Gold Awards in the main trial but those days are long gone. These days I just am happy just to finish. Having said that I enjoyed the trial for the most part and the weather was almost perfect. As we often say at the end of these events “There’s always next year”
Land’s End by Richard Simpson
If you can meet with triumph and disaster both, and treat the two imposters just the same.
Amazingly, given that I am half of the Launceston and North Cornwall Motor Club’s self-styled Team Incompetence, John Turner asked me if I would navigate him and his Dellow on the 2022 Land’s End Trial.
Perhaps he was impressed by my status as a one-time (and it was just the one time) works navigator for the Triking factory team on the same event many decades ago, or perhaps there’s no one else willing to do it given just how crippling uncomfortable his car is, especially for a lanky person like me.
Back in the pre-covid days, he asked me to do the same on the Exeter Trial. That didn’t come to pass as his car destroyed its back-axle on a pre-trial shakedown. With the benefit of hindsight, that was a lucky escape for both of us as I was harbouring an intermittent heart condition that could have dropped me dead at any time.
Anyway, fast-forward three years: the Dellow’s axle has been rebuilt, it’s done an Exeter Trial, and the NHS was kind enough to give me a pacemaker for my 60th birthday, so all is well.
And I’m waiting at the end of our track listening to a supercharged Ford Pop engine (no, I’m not making this up, that’s what’s under the Dellow’s bonnet) roaring its way past the farm and up the valley. I can see the yellow glow cast by the old-school Lucas headlamps before the little car that will (hopefully) carry us through the next 23 hours appears.
In I get, and off we go for a thankfully short run to Plusha Services where we are greeted by some familiar faces from the club (Hello, Nigel) and a few questions from fellow-competitors. John is taken to task for not knowing the chassis number of his car. “I’m lucky if I can remember the registration,” he quips.
His interrogator doesn’t see the funny side and minces off in a huff. Oh well, never mind.
Scrutineering consists of checking that the lights work, and then we are off in number order, taking the officially mandated minor roads route to Bridgewater Rugby Club and the start proper.
John pretty much knows the way, so my main concern for now is whether the little Dellow can keep the pace on the road: we have a relatively late start number and if we fall back down the field there is a real danger that the course-closing car might catch us and put us out of the event.
Fortunately, that doesn’t seem to be the case. We are if anything catching the competitor in front (one of the truly nasty ‘sports’ cars from the last days of British Leyland), and it’s a lovely clear night with just the odd bit of mist.
I have however picked up that there is a ‘passage control’ on the route: a couple of MCC bods in a lay-by just outside Bow. This is to ensure everyone sticks to the route, but could be easily forgotten and missed. We stop, make sure our number is taken and off we go.
All is well until we hit Bridgewater. We must follow the roadbook, and we do until we get to the bit where the road has been closed because someone is building a housing estate on it.
No, I’m not making it up. We find ourselves in a dead-end of security fencing and pallets of bricks. Our mistake?
If it is, we are not alone, an assortment of competitor cars is piling up behind us. A quick conference, lots of swearing, and we form a convoy that heads out of town on the motorway, and then back into town past the service area towards where the rugby club is.
We take the opportunity to fill up with fuel before reporting for scrutineering, and then into the club to Time Control and a compulsory hour’s rest. We decide to buy a cup of tea. There is a queue to pay for the tea, then a queue to get the ticket that says you paid for the tea, then a queue to get the tea itself. Well, it helps pass the time.
Halfway though our hour’s rest, they decide to close the Rugby Club and everyone gets turfed out. The external alarms are on, so floodlights are flashing on and off and sirens sounding. Latecomers are still turning up thanks to the closed road, and women competitors, in particular, are not pleased to find they can’t access the toilets. This really isn’t good.
Nor is the attitude of the person running the time control. The roadbook says to get signed out a few minutes prior to departure. He insists that we hang around until departure time, so we are effectively behind schedule when we leave.
Eventually, we escape the Kafkaesque nightmare that is the Rugby Club. We manage to get lost between the car park and the exit, but resist the temptation to open a section across the pitch.
The route takes us up towards the north coast, and we encounter the first section on the way: Fellons Oak.
Queuing for the section, there is little to do but look at the sky: a bright full moon and 50/50 cloud filtering the stars. It’s magic.
The section itself will be easy, John says, but there is a restart. At the start, there’s a big Honda Africa Twin adventure bike…does it belong to a marshal, or a competitor who has ‘fallen at the first’?
The section is a moderate climb on a dryish track, but the section after the restart is rough and rutted. In the headlamps it looks like a load of branches laid across the track…I’m glad not to be on a motorbike, and I don’t think that often. We bump and crash our way to the top: one down and 12 to go!
It’s a long drive on the A39 down the North Somerset coast, with the darkness meaning we see nothing of the spectacular scenery: the Dellow is waking the dead as it climbs Porlock Hill (itself a LET section before it was tarmacked) on full-boost in second gear as there are huge gaps between the ratios of its three-speed gearbox.
There’s another compulsory hour’s stop at Barbrook Village Hall, where we arrive in dawn’s early light. The main street of the village is jammed with trials cars, and there’s a forlorn Royal Enfield trials sidecar outfit parked in the garage forecourt opposite.
The time control here is operating in the same way as it was in Bridgewater: the roadbook instructions are disregarded and you have to wait for your minute to tick around at the control. But we are wise to it by now: John sits in the car in the queue and I wait for the man to tick our number off the list.
It’s literally just up the road to the next section: the famous Beggars Roost, and one of just two LET sections I remember from my Triking escapade. Then, it was covered with pea-gravel that provided a traction-free zone on a compulsory restart. Today it’s all lit up to celebrate a century of use as a trials section and surfaced with shale. There’s a ‘preferential start’ for Class 2 cars like ours and no restart. The Dellow makes easy work of it, but there’s a near-disaster waiting at the top where there’s a kind of kerb separating the tarmac road from the shale. The front wheels just float over it, but I feel the nearside rear hit with a smack that shakes the car to its core. Later we find a sharp dent in the wheelrim, and conclude that we were lucky to have not lost both the tyre and the wheel.
From there, it’s a misty drive over Exmoor to the first timed-test at Barton Steep. The gap between the first two lines is enough to force a change up from first, but the incline is so steep it bogs the engine as second gear is engaged. No chance of a good time, but we are here to have a good time and not just record a good time so we are not disheartened.
And on we go…observed section Sutcombe includes a restart, but the Dellow takes it all in its stride. We pass a village garage in Bradworthy Wicketts where others less fortunate than us are undertaking running repairs, but we mustn’t feel smug yet, as the trials gods have more challenges in store.
And on we go. Cutliff Lane is an eventful section for some ahead of us. There’s a long wait while an Austin 7 is put back on its wheels and the delay is enlivened by the car in front of us backfiring and setting its airfilter alight. Luckily, there’s no harm done, but it shows the fire extinguishers we all must carry are more than box-ticking and ballast.
Ahead of us, as many cars seem to be failing as succeeding. Parts of the section are very muddy, but the Dellow climbs to the top with a stunning lack of wheelspin. John confesses that he’s activated the traction control: meaning he set off forgetting to release the handbrake and it stopped the wheels spinning! I agree not to tell anyone, so you can read it here first.
And on we go, through North Devon where some of the minor roads are as rough as trials sections, to a point where the route loops back on itself to take in two sections in one wood. We manage both without drama but driving out through a farmyard at the second there is a sudden eruption of steam from the front of the Dellow.
This is a catastrophe! The fan on the Dellow is electrically driven, but looks like a metal version of a 1970s model aircraft propeller. It has somehow managed to slice a slit in the top hose, and put a convex dent in the spigot. We execute a temporary repair, using a product that John says is very good for repairing roof-flashing. We have three litres of water, but it’s not enough to refil the system. Luckily, the family who run the farm are watching the event, and are only too happy to replenish our stocks of water. If the repair holds, we can finish.
But it doesn’t. As we head towards Bude and home territory, the water temperature gauge shoots up, and then down. This is a very bad thing, as it means the water is below the level of the temperature sensor.
We stop, and pour in more water. And carry on. And repeat. And now we have no more water. Our aim now is to survive until the time control at Wilsey Down, which will at least be a convenient place to recover the car from if we can’t repair it.
It’s disheartening. The car has done all the sections, I’ve managed to keep us on the route, and John’s careful driving has seen us get back on schedule on the road after every delay. We were going to stop in Bude for fuel anyway, and elect to still do so, and I buy the car a very expensive bottle of Evian Water in the hope of flattering it to the finish. But the unsaid reality is that our chances are now less than 50 per cent.
It’s a flying visit to the Widemouth Bay check, and then some very hilly roads to Crackington: our home section. We queue for Crackington in the tiny hamlet of Mineshop. There’s an explosion of expensive Evian Water steam from under the bonnet. It’s carnage. The roof-flashing has melted!
I tell John I’ll get some more water, and I’m sure we can sort it out. But I’m not really. I’m gutted.
Clutching my bottle, I hobble down the hill towards the ford at the bottom, and narrowly avoid collision with a vision of female loveliness.
I must be hallucinating. She’s wearing Daisy Duke shorts and a Kelvin Klein bikini-top, has blonde hair caressing her bare shoulders, and is sipping a can of cider.
It’s been a long day. I’m short of sleep. I’m seeing things. If I blink, she’ll go away. I blink. She’s still there.
“Are you OK?” she asks, her pretty face clouded with concern. “We need some water for the car, please,” I gasp. “Hold my cider.” She presses the can into my hand. It feels slightly chill. “You can have some if you want, but not if you are driving.”
She takes the bottle and departs to the houses that line one side of the road. And then she’s back, clutching the now filled bottle.
Wonderful. And even more wonderful is that her partner and his friend are in her wake, clutching tools, radiator hoses, and heavy-duty tractor hose clamps. She’s dragged them away from barbeque duties to help fix the car.
Remember, this is Cornwall, home to the best ‘rustic’ engineers in the world. They invented deep mining. They invented the steam engine. They can fix anything. They laugh, they joke, they help us fix the car. There’s more clamp than hose, but it’s not going to leak again.
They get a garden hose and fill the cooling system.
Can you imagine this happening in Surrey? Nah, they’d call the police.
Our friends return to their garden barbeque with our inadequate thanks ringing in their ears, and we clean Crackington in fine style.
And on to the next speed test…it’s dead flat and the lines are far enough apart for the Dellow’s gearbox to not be too much of a handicap.
We arrive at Wilsey Down. The officials there have realised there’s no point in keeping everyone hanging around for an hour: with over 400 entrants starting at 60 second intervals everyone has had more than enough rest queuing for sections. The planned hour stop is now 30 minutes. We had discussed finding ways to protect the hose from the fan, but it’s not going to happen in half-an-hour.
So we leave, conscious that this is like the ‘last lap’ of the trial and feeling relatively confident that we might actually see the finish. Little do we know, but fate still has a couple of curve balls to chuck at us. Two holding areas filter us onto Warleggan, and we are clean again!
All is good. And then I balls up.
To be fair, up until now my navigating has been confident and accurate…so much so that we often find ourselves as leader of a small pack who opt to drop behind and follow. But there’s some ambiguity in the roadbook on the outskirts of Bodmin and I lead us into town. Bodmin is where Cornwall Council sends its traffic planners to die. You can’t drive from one side of the town to another. It’s like Oxford, only without the University.
We see other trials cars heading in all directions and opt to put the roadbook aside, head out of town and use the What Three Words reference to get to the new section of Great Grogley, which is on private land. We are still being followed. Out of Bodmin and we stop at a crossroads. What Three Words says we should turn right, but we’ve turned left. John goes to restart the car…nothing. We’re toast.
Our ‘friends’ who have been riding on our navigation for much of the event roar off down the right road. Hey, thanks for your help in our hour of need chaps, and we’ll do the same for you anytime!
We push the car across the road more in hope than expectation, and unaccountably, it bump starts easily. The ammeter is showing a normal charge and we try a restart at the top of a hill. Now the car is confident that it’s pointing in the right direction, it fires straight away.
No, we can’t explain it otherwise either!
Great Grogley is easy, if a bit bumpy, but the drive back down to the road is quite exciting. Withielgoose is the next section, and clean again.
On our way to the final route check at Perranporth, John says “We are on for a Bronze if we finish,” meaning there are just two sections to go and we are clean so far.
This is good news, but the bad news is that the final section is the notorious Blue Hills Two: it’s a smasher of bikes, a stopper of cars and a breaker of dreams.
John navigates Blue Hills One easily; our car is excused the restart, but it looks like one we could tackle if we had had to. There is a restart for all classes on Blue Hills Two, but how hard can it be?
Bloody hell. Blue Hills Two is worse than I remember, or it looks on YouTube. Even the access track is tougher than most of the sections we’ve driven. But we get to the restart in fine style. It’s hellish steep, but there’s firm rock under the back wheels. We can do this!
But we can’t. It’s too steep. If we could only get the back wheels to spin a bit, John could get the clutch home and we would claw our way up. No chance; these wheels aren’t for turning. We stick. The cockpit fills with smoke, the clutch is cooked. There goes our Gold.
Frustratingly, when we roll back five metres or so and go again the Dellow leaps the rock step that stopped us in fine style and we get to the top without drama.
All we have to do then is limp the car to the finish, greet John’s dear wife Viv who is there to meet us with a car trailer, eat fish and chips, and let her drive us home.
And a few days later, we get notification that we have won a Silver. It’s the first thing I’ve won at any sport, ever, and I’m 62. It’s all down to John’s efforts of course in preparing and driving a fragile and elderly car about 350 miles through the night on some of Britain’s toughest roads. I just held the route book and shouted at him, but, hey, someone’s got to do it.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Chairman’s Chat Since the last newsletter many of our members competed and officiated as part of the MCC Lands End Trial. There have been the usual reports of success and failures form competitors together with the usual ‘might have beens’. Bill Rosten and his team are to be congratulated on another successful event. No mean feat after loss of forestry sections, holiday traffic etc don’t make the job any easier.
Next month we have have agreed to support the MCC 3 Day Trial and would appreciate any offers of help to marshal sections and the lunch halt car park in Launceston. If you are available on Saturday June 25th please let us know.
For our upcoming Trials Formula event I quote from our website:- “On Saturday the 7th of May we have the Northgate Sporting Trial at Ashley Farm Lifton, the regs for this are on the website but you are asked that you send in paper entries (you know that stuff you write on, used to be the thing to do) there will be no online entry for this event. As always marshals are needed so Mike Wevill would love to hear from you 01566 784451.” Thanks to Mike our Sporting Trials continue to be run successfully and attract entries from far and wide.”
Apart from the competitive events and committee meetings we would like to have more social get togethers. A start was made recently with an evening in the bar at Launceston Golf Club when ideas were exchanged. Road runs, car treasure hunts, visits to places of interest, talks, a quiz, film/video and informal ‘noggin and natters’ have been suggested. Hopefully the committee will run some of these but all are welcome to do so. We would really like to know what you would like – please let us know through our social media or even an old fashioned phone call or letter.
I look forward to ideas flooding in, meanwhile enjoy your motorsport.
Joe Caudle Chairman
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Tailpiece So with the Lands End Trial out of the way for another year it gives you time to reflect, as a friend once said “these events are always better when you’re down the pub looking back at them.” Within a few days following the event I had removed the engine and entrusted South West Clutches of Lifton to sort out the clutch, two days later I had a completely rebuilt unit and fitted in no time, I then dug deep and splashed out on some new hoses, I even bought spare ones so the car is good to go again, I got so carried away I washed and painted the engine, yes worrying. There’s always other jobs waiting though. All for this month, and a big thanks to our contributors. J.T. Please send contributions to billjan299@gmail.com
