Clerk of the Course Jonathan Toulmin retained the twin loop format for the MAC’s Clee Hills Trial. Jonathan and his team have a justified reputation for running an excellent event, in a highly professional way, and were rewarded by an excellent entry including no less than 15 cars in class two. There was no snow this year but the mist didn’t lift in some places throughout the day.
There were quite a few route changes because of bad ruts caused by over enthusiastic 4wd’s and Round Oak had to be cancelled at the last minute because of a sick horse.
Classes six, seven and eight set out from the start at The Craven Arms to embark on the western loop to battle for overall honours. First on the agenda was the Rattlinghope special test. I wonder if Carl Talbot realised that this would cost him overall victory at the end of the day when he was 1.5 seconds slower than Adrian Marfell. The leading runners went round the western loop clean, with only the new Priors Holt 1 section causing any real problems, with fails for both Peter Mountain and Keith Oakes.
The first observed Hills on the Eastern loop were on National Trust land with the two Easthope sections and Majors Leap. Adrian Marfell was the only car to reach the summit of the previously un-cleaned Eeasthope 2 that was first used in 2005. Most of the other Class Eights dropped either 4 or 5. The class 7’s didn’t fare so well and Andrew Brown was best with 5.
Majors Leap was a toughie for the higher classes and a fair few dropped a full 12, including Falcons Keith and Claire Oakes in their Dutton Phaeton, putting them out of contention early in the proceedings.
After these three sections on National Trust Land it was back on the road to the Harley Bank – Jenny Wind complex. The slippery Harley Bank 2 section was one of the new ones used for the first time last year and Simon Woodall piloted the only car to get to the summit. Carl Talbot was best of the rest with a two, five better than Adrian Marfell, putting them equal on seven. This was to remain the score at the end, as both cleaned The Jenny Wind and Meadowley where Simon Woodall came out the top with a rough sounding engine. It promptly seized, and the VW Buggy needed a tow from Ross Norman to get back to the finish.
So overall victory went to Adrian Marfell by virtue of his special test times. Ian Davis came 5th overall, stopping mid way on both the Easthope sections and Harley Bank 2 and also stopping just short of the summit of The Jenny Wind.
The lower classes embarked on the Eastern Loop first. It started with a bang for classes three, four and five as none of them got away from their restart. Ippikins Rock was the decider for the lower classes. The section is all about that very sharp right-handed hairpin. In class three Nick Farmer couldn’t get the big BMW round, dropping 8 which was to give the class to Simon Groves. Class four was decided here as well. Terry Ball had been battling with the ex-Matthew Sharratt March Hare winning Beetle of Nicola Wainwright. Unfortunately, neither got around the famous hairpin but Pete Barr did in 1303 handing him the class.
On the Western Loop the steep new Priors Holt 1 was prove a problem to many cars, including Simon Groves who dropped four but still maintained his class lead. Adrian Dommett won Class 2 in his familiar Wolesley Hornet but all eyes were on James Diffeys magnificent Bresica Bugatti, which he drove into 2nd place in class with great gusto.
An excellent Clee, run under difficult circumstances this year. There is a rumour that this could be Jonathan Toulmins last event in the leading organising role. Lets all hope he changes his mind.
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