After organisational issues last year the 2024 Exeter was in the safe hands of the genial Pete Batty with Pete Hart as Deputy Clerk of the Course. The team were concerned when a severe storm hit the South West a couple of days before the event, but with a bit of work all was well on the day resulting in a very successful event.
There were no remote starts this year, so enjoying a brief weather window, all the competitors gathered at Haynes where they could visit the museum FOC after scruitineering.
The night followed the well established route. There was a simple handbrake check in the hands of Bill Rosten and team before the Windwhistle test. One car couldn’t hold on the slope and headed for home.
Normans Hump proved challenging for the Front Wheel Drive cars in Class 1 but otherwise the sections before breakfast had plenty of grip and there were few failures.
The new breakfast halt at Greendale Farm Shop was a success and hopefully that will return in the future.
Fingle was spilt into two this year with the second section challenging Class 1 as it started on loose stones on a fair slope making it difficult to get away. Derek Reynolds retired his Suzuki X90 here when the clutch cried enough.
Elsewhere in the woods the lower classes tackled the familiar short version of Wooston Steep. In the past the higher classes attempted the long version but this is no longer available as it crosses an ancient monument.
This year a new section called Seamans Brough was on the agenda in the hands of the Bristol MC crew. It wasn’t a problem for Class 8 but a few 7’s came to a stop.
The pastie stop at Ilsington Village Hall was looming but not before the Donkey Trot section just a few hundred yards away. Introduced a few years ago as a Class 0 section its short, sharp and steep. No problem for Class Eight but it took its toll of the other car classes, with probably a third having to reverse down and take the escape road of shame. These included West Country notables Dick Bolt and Ian Cundy.
Simms came after the break, in the stewardship of Dave Haizelden and his very experienced team. There were restarts for some of course and there was no mercy for Class Eight who had to pull away on the most difficult part of the hill. Only three made it, Richard Coles (VW Buggy) and Mersons Paul and Charlie in Shopland Mk2 and DP Wasp respectively. Paul went on to be clean for the event and take home the coveted AH Trophy but Richard and Charlie had both failed a section during the night.
Jack Selwood made a spirited attempt in his DP Ford, getting away from the restart with spinning wheels but coming to a stop soon after.
Jack didn’t give up and got the car going to get over the summit but not without his earlier penalty.
Even without a restart the old hill still presents a challenge. Greg Warren (Escort) and Rob Holden (BMW) made it look easy in Class 3 but Lester Keat spun his Avenger to a stop within touching distance of Section Ends.
There was only Slippery Sam left now, with a challenging restart for some in a new position between the two corners where several were penalised for touching the R boards.
That concluded a successful Exeter Trial. Congratulations to Peter Batty and Team for a successful and well organised event.
Links:-
- Class 0 Exeter Report
- Exeter Trial on the Classic Trials FB Group
- More Exeter on the Classic Trials FB Group
- Bob Blackman reports on his Exeter Trial
- Simms Videos
- InCar/OnBike Videos
- Slippery Sam Bike Videos and Part 2
- Slippery Sam Car Videos
- All the Exeter Videos
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