Category: ACTC

Dean’s Allen Trial

Dean Partington wins Allen Trial

It was a close run thing. Dean dropped all of his three marks in the Lakeside complex with his Toyota MR2 based DP Wasp. Dave Foreshew was the only driver to clean these three sections in his Ford Dingo special, but hadn’t got away from the Guys Hill restart earlier in the event so had to settle for second. Simon Woodall was third in his familiar VW Buggy.

David Bache on his way to the muddy pool on the first Lakeside section.
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Pete Hart and his team ordered good trialling weather for The Allen Trial. Nice and damp but with the rain holding off until the drive home. 

There were problems after the introductory Tog Hill, when a police motorcyclist closed the A439 in the village of Wick after half the entry had passed because a wide load was on its way out of Bristol. This delayed proceedings for quite a while and some competitors retraced their steps to make an off-routecard diversion to Bitton Lane. In the end everyone regained the original route, but the running order was mixed up for the rest of the trial. 

There were two challenges at Bitton Lane. The restart and getting to it! From the start it looked smooth enough but after the 90 left there were deep ruts on a 90 right and this stopped a lot of cars with limited ground clearance. The restart was in the usual place, a left hand bend surfaced with polished stones. This caught out a surprising number of people, including Mike Hobbs in his Class Six Beetle and Mike Workman, Bill Foreshew and David Bache in Class Eight. 

Uplands was next, approached along the normal flooded track, although the water was not as deep as a few years ago. The Yellows and Reds cruised up the resurfaced Little Uplands on a non-competitive transit. They were to have their go at Big Uplands later, the morning was for the minnows in Blue and White who were able to make their assault without having to restart. It was tough enough though, the ruts were fearsome. All the diff draggers in class three bottomed out, leaving the glory to class two who all went clean, even the low powered Austin Sevens! 

Guys Hill was next, not to much of a problem for those who didn’t have to restart but the steps and tree roots awaited those that did. Few of the re-starters could get away. Dave Foreshew was one of them and dropped six, which transpired to be the only marks he would loose on the trial. If he had gone clean here Dave would have won the event! Andrew Rippon retired his VW Baja with a broken transmission, concluding that a powerful engine and grippy Matador tyres don’t mix! Michael and Colin Weeks retired their MG Midget here as well. Mainly PCT drivers they had entered The Allen to prepare for The Exeter. 

Travers was another traditional Allen Trial hill with a restart for the Yellows and Reds, situated on a nasty rocky area. The non re-starters should have been able to carry enough momentum through the rocks for it to be a trouble free section. However, it wasn’t so easy for some, and three of the Austin Seven’s failed, only Emma Wall going clean in her ex Peter Trelving car. Colin Perryman (BMW 2002) and Michael Leete (VW Beetle) also failed and both should have known better! The Yellows and Reds had quite a challenging restart amongst the rocks. Mike Hobbs made up for his failure on Bitton Lane by being the only class six Beetle to get away. A Marlin was definitely the wrong car here, only Jonathan Ellwood succeeding while all the non-Marlins were successful. Most of the leading runners in class eight were OK, apart from Dave Wall, in his smart Dellow Mk1, which dropped him out of contention. 

At the top of Travers competitors turned left into a muddy field for the two Ubley Woods sections and the first special test. The sections were similar, both very muddy, starting on the flat and turning 90 right up a greasy bank. Tyre pressures were free and going as low as possible was definitely the order of the day. Although decidedly out of character with the body of the trial these two sections placed a premium on driving skill and throttle control and while there were a lot of failures the leading contenders in all the classes cleared them both. The trial lost Steve Johnson here after suffering half shaft failure on his Triumph Special.

There was a rest halt beside the reservoir at Chew Valley, with hot meals available in the visitor areas cafeteria for those wanting them. Burledge was just up the road, not the same challenge now the ruts have been filled in, nerveless Simon Groves and Michael Leete both failed the restart under the eagle eye of John and June Blakeley who were marshalling here. 

It was back to the mud for three sections at Lakeside. The first was a strange affair, a gentle run up a tree lined muddy bank before dipping into a watery pool with a very sharp right-hander around the trees, taking care to avoid a hidden tree stump, which a kindly Mark Hobbs was pointing out. 

Up until now there had been some clean sheets but Dave Haizelden (Golf GTi), Nick Cleal (Peugeot 205), Tristan White (Class 7 Hillman Imp), Dean Partington (DP Wasp), Charlie Shopland (Shopland) and Ian Davis (VW Buggy) all lost them here, failing to get around the right hander in Mark Hobbs pool and dropping either one or two. This left only Adrian Dommett clean in his supercharged Wolseley Hornet. The other two Lakeside sections were PCT style up a muddy bank. Adrian surmounted the first one but failed to get around the bend at the bottom on the second, dropping nine and falling back to fourth overall behind Dean Partington, Dave Foreshew and Simon Woodall. 

And that’s how it remained at the finish. The Yellows and Reds had their attempt at Big Uplands and the wonderful John Walker section rounding off the event in fine style but not impacting the leading positions.

Best OverallDean Partington (DP Wasp)3
Class Winners
1David Haizelden (VW Golf GTi)10
2Adrian Dommett (Wolesley Hornet)9
3Andrew Martin (Ford Escort)12
4Giles Greenslade (VW Beetle)14
5Peter Jones (Suzuki X90)44
6Adrian Marfell (VW Beetle)16
7Tristan White (Imp)10
8David Foreshew (Ford Dingo)6

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Ilkley Trial 08

Boyd Webster Wins with a Clean Sheet

The Ilkley Club were lucky with the weather again. It was a nice early summer day for the event, but wet weather during the week spiced the sections up a bit. Local man Boyd Webster was the winner in his Ford Special with a clean sheet, taking his victory over Jon Robilliard in his 1300 Beetle on the basis of special test times. 

The club were rewarded with an excellent entry for their first ACTC Championship Event, attracting a sizeable camel vale contingent who came all the way from Cornwall.

Boyd Webster and Robin Jeager navigate their Ford Special through the undergrowth at Hey Slack on their way to winning The Ilkley Trial (Picture by Dave Cook)
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This super little section had a restart on a sharp left hand corner. You had to get going of the start line first though and eventual winner Boyd Webster must have been wary of this as he didn’t last year! The restart itself was on a tight corner and Greg Thomas couldn’t coax his rather long Capri away. neither could the Northumbian Marlins of Fred Mills and Hal Branson.

The first section was a bit tight which was a problem for some of the bigger cars and Nigel Jones came to grief at the four marker in his Skoda.

The second was pure PCT on grass with a tougher start for the yellows and reds. There were very few clears but Jon Robilliard was on, establishing a firm grip on class four. Most of the failures were between the eleven and nine, including class eight exponents Simon Woodall and Stuart Harold. Harvey Waters was amongst the unfortunate group who couldn’t pass the twelve. Richard Hoskin retired here, knocking the steering of his Morgan F4 out of shape on the entrance to the venue.

The third Sword Point section was a rather rough weave through the trees, needing a lot of attention from those going clear to avoid clouting the wall at the summit. Its not clear if Dean Partington did this but he retired soon afterwards. We had already lost Duncan Walsh with a broken rear suspension mounting.

A pleasant, but not difficult section, although a handful of cars in the higher classes were caught out by their restart.

In class seven Tris White was the only competitor to succeed, putting him in front of Brian Colman who failed at the seven. The lower classes bypassed the 6, 7 & 8 deviation but had a tricky restart on a camber instead. This caught out quite a few experienced drivers, including last years winner Bill Bennett, Dick Bolt and Simon Groves in Class Three and Nicola Wainwright in Class Four. Getting of the restart wasn’t the only problem as the turn off the track up the bank at the end awaited and trapped the unwary.

Up on top of the moor this short little section didn’t prove too much of a problem, although Brian Colman dropped an un-expected six, destroying his chances to challenge Tris White for the Class Seven win.

With the deviation for the higher classes scrapped as there wasn’t sufficient recovery this gentle slope shouldn’t have presented to many problems. However, local knowledge counted here as the PCT markers took the section off the track at the two marker. About a third of the entry didn’t spot this and went straight on dropping two. They should have read last years Classical Gas Report!

No problems for the main trial here, although quite a few in Class 0 struggled to find grip on the first bank.

After years PR problems with the neighbours the section was approached across a kindly farmers field. Inline 1 started with a 90 left through a delightful dry stone wall to get onto the grassy track with its Crackington style muddy patch around 100 yards ahead. This was another section requiring a steady trickling nerve to build speed on the grass before blasting through the mud. This caught out quite a few experienced drivers, including Harvey Waters, Nicola Wainwright, Martin Willis, Myke Pocock and Keith Oakes. This was a particular problem for Keith Oakes as he couldn’t get to Incline Two as there was no recovery vehicle to give him a tow.

Incline 2 came shortly after and was attempted only by the higher classes with quite a few making clean climbs this year. These didn’t include Tris White in his Imp, the class seven winner dropping his only mark of the day.

For many Watergate was the best hill of the event, a real classic section. There was a ford at the start and it needed plenty of welly to climb the stony bank the other side. After this the track got a bit rocky and ground clearance became an issue, defeating Graham Whitings Skoda.

Strid Wood 1 was a nice friendly little affair through a peaty gully, but you did have to keep the power on as it was quite slippery. This caught out quite a few of the Ilkley first timers and in Class Three both Kelly Thomas and Sticker Martin dropped their only marks of the event.

Rob Wells retired after Strid Wood 2 in his unusual RWD Fiat Panda.

Hawpike 1 was a pure grassy PCT section. There was plenty of grip but about half of class seven were penalised, presumably for clipping markers. After the picturesque Hawpike 2 there were some wonderful views from the green lanes that led to the special test at Highfield Farm.

Their was only one special test and commendably it was a nice straightforward affair. Boyd Webster won the trial here, clocking a time 1.2 seconds quicker than Jon Robilliard, both of whom had clean sheets at the end of the trial.

Their was a long descent through a farmyard and down a newly surfaced track to the two Langbar sections. They were both bumpy grass affairs that would have been totally impossible in anything other than bone dry conditions. outside of class two neither presented many problems.

Back at the finish their was an excellent pie and peas supper to entertain competitors while they waited for the results which showed Boyd Webster as the overall winner on special test times over Jon Robilliard, the other driver with a clean sheet.  Everyone seemed to enjoy their Ilkley Trial. Its different to its southern counterparts but accept it for what it is and its a super day out, not just for the sections but the route through the Yorkshire countryside as well. It’s a nice time of year to hold the event as well as the club would have had problems with all the grassy sections in the winter.

Best OverallBoyd Webster (Ford Special) – Class 80
Best IDMCPaul Clay (Austin/Ford Special) – Class 525
Class Winners
0aRyan Gians (Cannon)20
0bDavid Child (Ford Special)59
 2Bill Bennett (MG J2)17
 3Kelly Thomas (Ford Escort)7
 4Jon Robilliard (VW Beetle)0
 5Colin Biles (MG Midget)17
 7Tris White (Hillman Imp)1
 8Mike Chatwin (Troll)2

We have been publishing stuff about Classic Trials on the Web since 1995 and always appreciate feedback. Comments, Corrections, Criticism & Concerns are all welcome. You can leave a comment to have your say here on this web site or our Social Media

Adrian Marfell wins Kyrle

Adrian Marfell wins a tough, High Scoring, Kyrle Trial

Adrian took an early lead, clearing both of the unbelievably steep hills near Monmouth and going on to drop only one mark in the mud bath at Ropers. The trial was won on these first three sections, as second place man Dean Partington dropped thirteen in this group, compared to Adrian’s one. There had been a fair bit of rain during the preceding week, adding slurry to the Kyrle’s near vertical sections.

Adrian, in characteristic pose, on Jack (Picture by Dave Cook)
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The first two hills were just up the road from the start, competitors briefly entering Wales as they headed west on the A40. Both Pillbox and Goldsmiths 2 were un-believably steep, muddy and rutted with a re-start on Goldsmiths 2 for seven and eight. Adrian was one of ten class eights to clean both of these two horrors. The other classes didn’t fare very well, especially on Goldsmiths 2, where it was very hard to get around the 90 left just up from the start. A special shout-out to Derek Tyler (VW Baja), Sticker Martin (Ford Escort) and Tony Young (VW beetle) who not only got around the corner but went on to clear the section.

Ropers was one of the few non-forestry sections on the event. Approached by a steep descent down to the River Wye, the section is a PCT style muddy bank, with penalties for hitting the markers. Apart from supermen Adrian Marfell and Simon Woodall, who both got as far as the one marker, nobody else got more than half way. Then came the next challenge, getting up the exit road, fearsome enough to be a section itself. Not so bad for the sevens and eights, but a problem for some of the lower classes, causing an appreciable delay.

It was back to forestry for the next group of sections, comprising Jack, Jill the first special test, and Pludds. All familiar Kyrle favourites. Dean Partington threw down a challenge here, cleaning all three to close the gap on Adrian Marfell. Elsewhere most others floundered on some, or all, of the sections, apart from Adrian Dommett whose supercharged Wolseley Hornet stormed up all three, not bad for class two! In class four Emma Robilliard had already had three punctures and Tony Young was struggling with a dead starter motor and wasn’t enjoying the delays.

Next came a whole string of muddy forestry sections, many of which had no exit at the top, necessitating a perilous descent with the handbrake as they were all pretty steep. Snompers was the only one to see many cleans.

The last two sections offered some respite from the gradient, but not the mud! They were both new to the event and Paul Bartleman and Simon Groves are to be congratulated for finding them as they were different to all the forestry and consequently added character to the day.

Shapridge was in forestry but no tree weaving here. After a short time it turned into a real Crackington, only much more so, the mud and ruts extending as far as the eye could see! No problem for most of the class eights but event leader Adrian Marfell dropped six, dropping him within seven marks of Dean Partington. In class three Richard Hayward cleaned both this one and the last section to pip Sticker Martin for the class win. Tony Young was still going, despite his starter problems, powering his raucous Beetle through the mud for a resounding class win as he was so far in front he could have dropped twelve on the last one! Keith Sanders was another to do well here, his clean giving him a class win in a class five rather decimated by retirements.

The final section, called High Hope, was another new one, approached by a long, very muddy track, which was nothing compared to the section to come. It was a great section though, skirting a farmyard before an assault up a semi-surfaced track before a “chicane” and more mud. No problem to class eight but tough for the rest. Class seven was decided here, Ray Goodright (Arkley) just holding onto his lead despite dropping four. Derek Tyler (VW Baja Beetle), Murray Montgomery-Smith (Marlin) and Brian Colman (Dutton Phaeton), all cleaned it but Ray held onto his class win by two marks.

Best OverallAdrian Marfell (VW Special)16
Class Winners
1David Haizelden (VW Golf GTi)99
2Adrian Dommett (Wolesley Hornet)54
3Richard Hayward (Ford Escort)64
4Tony Young (VW Beetle)62
5Keith Sanders (Reliant Scimitar SS1)76
6Gary Browning (VW Beetle)57
7Ray Goodright (Arkley)68
8Dean Partington (DP Wasp)23
0Rodney Green (Ford Escort)51

We have been publishing stuff about Classic Trials on the Web since 1995 and always appreciate feedback. Comments, Corrections, Criticism & Concerns are all welcome. You can leave a comment to have your say here on this web site or our Social Media

Giles Greenslade wins Northern

Giles Greenslade wins Northern Trial in his Class Four Beetle

t was Beetles all the way as Nicola Wainwright was second. It was neck and neck when they came to the last section at Sandale, both Giles and Nicola on clean sheets. They both stopped in the ruts at the two marker, victory going to Giles on special test times. It was a tough trial for the higher classes who had to contend with both tough tyre pressure restrictions and some fearsome restarts.

Competitors enjoyed a wonderful day in The Lake District with wonderful weather and fantastic views. Up until the last section at Sandale all the sections were in forestry. However, there were a variety of surfaces to challenge competitors.

Simon Groves and Emma Robilliard flying up the last forestry stage at Widow Hause. The reverse back down was a little hairy for some and there were a couple of near roll overs. Click Here for Full Video Playlist
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Competitors left the well-appointed start in Wigton on a cold, but bright and clear day, for the 16-mile run out to the first forestry section. It was to prove one of the most difficult of the event, needing plenty of ground clearance, and only six cars were to go clear, including both Giles Greenslade and Nicola Wainwright who were to finish first and second overall. Class 8 didn’t feature here, as they had a difficult restart, as they did on most of the remaining sections, along with class seven on some of them. The lower classes were to enjoy a no-restart day!

Come the third section at Falcon’s Crest there were only three clean sheets left, Bill Bennett losing his here and only Adrian Dommett was left to challenge the two Beetles. Adrian’s hopes disappeared at Ladyside, a horrible muddy affair, without much real gradient but a huge lump to surmount. Class eight had an impossible restart just before the hump. However, nobody told Dean Partington and he went clean. So did Sticker Martin (Escort) and Dave Haizelden (Golf GTi) as well as the two battling Beetles.

Some of the morning sections were a little rough, especially Little Cockup which had a fearsome left hand bend with deep ruts. It was possible to approach this at speed. Tony Young went clear but without a skid the front panel of his Beetle acted as a mud plough, pushing it back so he couldn’t open the hood.

The afternoon forestry was higher up the hillside. This meant fantastic views, less mud and more rocks, of the small loose variety. The leading cars went clear on all of them. With a more solid base, the sections weren’t so rutted and ground clearance became less of an issue. There were some issues on the final forestry section at Widow Hause where it was necessary for clears to reverse down. With no real ruts, it was very easy to get sideways and a couple of cars came close to rolling over.

Last on the agenda was Sandale, everyone’s favourite. There was another impossible restart for class eight, with seven having to join in as well. Once again, nobody informed Dean Partington he wasn’t supposed to get away and he went clean, being joined by Mike Chatwin (Troll) and Tristan White (Class 7 Imp).

Although the lower classes didn’t have to restart it was certainly a tough section with the ruts getting deeper and deeper with every passing car. Both Giles and Nicola stopped at the two, to lose their only marks of the day, victory going to Giles on Special test times. Adrian Dommett and Bill Bennett both came out of the top but I am sure they won’t mind me saying that hero status on Sandale 2008 is awarded to Harvey Waters and Dave Millar who dragged their diffs though the clag and Colin Perryman in his BMW, all showing how it could be done in a low slung car.

The day ended for many with a super meal back at the finish where competitors relaxed and told of their enjoyable day. The only cloud was an issue with tyre pressures on Sandale. They weren’t checked and the feeling was this was abused by at least one competitor in class eight. I hope that this didn’t disappoint organisers Martin Willis and Chris Veevers too much and we can all return for another excellent Northern trial next year.

Best OverallGiles Greenslade (VW Beetle)2
Class Winners
1David Haizelden (VW Golf GTi)14
2Adrian Dommett (Wolseley Hornet)7
3Sticker Martin (Ford Escort)9
4Nicola Wainwright (VW Beetle)2
5Thomas Aldrian (Austin 7)30
7Tristan White (Imp)17
8Dean Partington (DP Wasp)11
0Stuart Lambert (Cannon)2
ARoger Tushingham (Royal Enfield)3

We have been publishing stuff about Classic Trials on the Web since 1995 and always appreciate feedback. Comments, Corrections, Criticism & Concerns are all welcome. You can leave a comment to have your say here on this web site or our Social Media

Dave Foreshew’s Clee

Dave Foreshew wins Clee Hills Trial

Dave had a clear victory, dropping only ten marks, seven less than Andrew and Sticker Martin who both dropped 17 in their Escorts. It has to be said that the lower classes had significantly easier routes, one of the features of The Clee Hills Trial. There had been a lot of rain leading up to the start and some of the sections were pretty sticky, leading to some cancellations. Nerveless, despite this and some route card problems, the Clee maintained its reputation as an thoroughly enjoyable and continually evolving event.

Lindon Alcock and Tessa Harrison Puzzle at the Penhale’s Special Test with their Dellow Mk2 in this Video by Claire Oakes.
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Dave Cooks Photos

 In recent years the Clee has employed a unique system where the route is two circles, forming a figure of eight with the start in the centre. The entry is split according to class. So 6, 7 and 8 do one loop first while the other classes do the other. It’s a bit more complicated as class 0 have some unique sections and omit some used by 1 to 5, while 6,7 and 8 also have some unique sections. Why am I telling you this? So you understand that as a competitor in class 4 I didn’t see all the sections! 

Penhale’s Puzzler Special Test – I will start by being sarcastic and say that the first puzzle was finding the damn thing! Fortunately one of our fellow Beetle driversknew where it was and the rest of class 4 followed them! When we got there it wasn’t so much of a puzzle as a very nice marshal told us what to do, which was to drive forwards in a circle, then retrace in reverse. Kevin Barnes didn’t make it this far in his venerable Singer ADU, retiring less than a mile from the start when the cylinder head failed. 

Section 10 Flounders Folly – A very slippery route though the trees next to the special test. There wasn’t really a track there so there was no bottom and the wet clay was very slippery. Everyone spun to a halt in the slime. Dudley Sterry got the furthest, stopping just before the sections ends board. Eventual winner David Foreshew came just behind, making the two. Both Stephen Kenny and Mark Endley retired their Liege’s here, Stephen with a disintegrating distributor. 

Section 13 Easthope 1 – This is in the same complex as the old Ipikins Rock section, which wasn’t used this year. It’s a muddy track with some pretty deep ruts. Quite a few cars in 7 and 8 cleared the section but most who got through the ruts at the bottom OK spun to a stop as the going got more slippery. 

Section 14 Easthope 3 – Attempted only by the lower classes the section started with a horrible right hand hairpin which defeated many, most of the remainder failed to surmount the deviation that lay just ahead. It was possible though, and the eventual winners of classes one to four all went clean, although goodness knows how Dave Haizelden managed it in his Golf.

Section 15 Majors Leap – Only attempted by the reds and yellows Dave Foreshew was the only clear. 

Section 16 The Jenny Wind – Well known section which has been used on The Clee for many years and was trialled before the war. After the sharp right hander its straight up if you can. Most couldn’t and spun to a stop on the lower reaches, way below Dave Cooks camera! Nigel Jones had to retire here with driveshaft problems and Nigel Scotford dropped out with clutch issues in the ex-Courtney Yandle Skoda. Nick Farmer had electrical problems with the ex-Tony Rothin Cannon Alfa but was able to continue. 

Section 17 Harley Bank – This used to be a wonderful long track but the old route has become too easy after council re-surfacing so there is now a horrible deviation with a very tight left-hand corner which was impossible in the sticky clay.

The 2nd loop had a very different character. Much more picturesque, more rocks and less mud. It started with a trip over The Long Myndd. It was very clear so there were some wonderful views. Its a long way down, with unprotected drops. At least when it was used as a selective in Motoring News Rallies it was dark and they couldn’t see what would happen if you didn’t make the corners! 

Section 1 – Ratlinghope – Not particularly competitive but a wonderful long old section. It should have been followed by… 

Section 2 – Phil’s Folly – Unfortunately the conditions were to bad to allow this old track to be used this year. Something I have experience off when marshalling the section a few years ago. Nobody was more disappointed than John Sergeant who was first going to be marshalling at Round Oak before it was cancelled, only to arrive at Phil’s Folly and find that couldn’t be used. 

Section 3 – Gatten’s Gamble – Starting in farmer Phil Harding’s yard this is another wonderful long up and over Clee sections with fantastic views crossing the summit. 

Section 4 – Allez ‘Oop1 – Classes 6, 7 and 8 all went clear as they climbed this cleft in the hillside, made infamous by C.A.N. Mays book Wheelspin. Although it has been resurfaced since, it couldn’t be taken lightly, and claimed some scalps amongst the lower powered cars for who were using  it as a section. At the top the route followed the southern ridge of The Long Mynd before entering the forestry containing the Priors Halt sections. 

Section 5 – Priors Holt 3 – Another Clee section Mike Hayward and I have marshalled, and as last year there were multiple restart lines depending on your class. There was plenty of grip for the later numbers, to much in some cases as some of the less powerful cars on low pressures found themselves bogging down. Giles Greenslade went clear for the second year on his way to winning class four, as did both Sticker and Arnie Martin in their Escorts. 

Long Mynd Special Test – Nice timed rocky climb with a nifty descent where it was all too possible to overshoot the finish line. Unfortunately it was probably a bit steep for some of the lower powered cars as several of them couldn’t make the climb. 

Section 6 – Priors Holt 2 – Yet another section Mike Hayward and I have marshalled. Used only for Class 0 this year. 

Section 7 – Priors Holt 3 – A steep climb with loose rock, demanding close attention to tyre pressures and throttle control. This was the last section for the lower classes as Strefford Wood was cancelled after 6,7 and 8 passed through and Round Oak was taken out before the cars started although this failed to get into some of the road books.

Best OverallDave Foreshew (Ford Dingo)10
Class Winners
1David Haizelden (VW Golf GTi)30
2Adrian Dommett (Wolesley Hornet)25
3Andrew Martin (Ford Escort)17
4Giles Greenslade (VW Beetle)22
5Thomas Aldrian (Austin 7)40
6Gary Browning (VW Beetle)30
7Mal Allen (Marlin)40
8Dudley Sterry (MG J2)21
0Keith Hill (Singer Junior)24

We have been publishing stuff about Classic Trials on the Web since 1995 and always appreciate feedback. Comments, Corrections, Criticism & Concerns are all welcome. You can leave a comment to have your say here on this web site or our Social Media

Ilkley Trial

Bill Bennett Best Car

The Ilkley Club were lucky with the weather. It was a nice early summer day for the event, but wet weather during the week spiced the sections up a bit. Bill Bennett was a decisive winner, dropping only two marks after the second slippery PCT section. The higher classes had some extra challenges, including an “impossible” section at Peel’s Wood. However, even without these Bill would still have won.

The competitors all enjoyed this unique event which, incorporating a lot of grassy sections, PCT marking and stopping to have score cards marked on each section, falls somewhere between a conventional Classic and a Production Car Trial.

Bill Bennett picks his way through the rocks at the Dob Park Watersplash on his way to winning The Ilkley Trial (Picture by Dave Cook)
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Dave Cooks Photos

The grounds of Ilkley Rugby Club provided ample room for parking and formalities although one wondered if the club should have been there as the burglar alarm was in full song for quite a while!

The first two section sections were pure PCT affairs in a grassy field and any doubts if there were penalties for hitting the markers were dismissed when Nigel Jones was penalised for brushing the seven marker on the first one. This was cleanable though, with a gentle foot, and about half the entry managed this. The second section was similar in nature but a sharp right hander got the diffs working and John Rhodes was the only car to go clean. No other car got further than the six. Bill Bennett dropped nine here in his MG J2, his biggest loss as he was to drop only two more during the rest of the event.

This super little section had a restart on a sharp left hand corner. You had to get going of the start line first though and two didn’t, including Boyd Webster from the organising club who couldn’t coax his Canon away, dropping 12 marks that would hand the class award to Dean Partington at the finish.

There were quite a few unique aspects to The Ilkley and the special tests were one of them. You had to go as slowly as possible, incurring a fail for stopping. Times ranged from 6.3 seconds to the 53.9 of John Rhodes.

The two grassy PCT sections required a very delicate foot on the throttle, especially the second one where the higher classes had a more difficult alternative start, they were possible though, unless you were in a front wheel drive car! The third one was completely different in nature, a muddy, bumpy blast through the trees and there were only three cars, all in class eight got to the top.

There were a couple of retirements here, neither Richard Parker (Austin Seven) or Derek Reynolds (DAF 66) going any further.

Both of these sections severely penalised the higher classes and only three cars reached the summit of Fewston 2, these included Dudley Sterry who achieved notoriety the previous year when he nearly went sideways over the steep bank.

Any hopes anyone in classes six, seven or eight had of beating Bill Bennett were dashed here. While the lower classes had a gentle poodle up a gentle grass track the yellows and reds had a horrendous deviation down into a gulley where they had to assault a steep, slippery grass bank after which they had to make sure they kept straight while reversing down to make sure they didn’t turn over!

Looking through the results only Falcons Ed Nikel (Dellow Mk2 Replica) conquered the bank and even he dropped three.

The final section of the morning was on Moorland on top of a hill that would have been very windy had the wind been blowing. Inspection was permitted and the higher classes could see they had to fight their way through a bog before tackling a steep bank. The lower classes skipped the bog but everyone had to start by going over a steep bump where you could ground out if you weren’t careful and this is what happened to Falcon’s Nicolas Cross, Ted Holloway and Michael Leete. The club had moved their chuck wagon giving those who weren’t running late a chance to grab a bite to eat.

After the lunch break the route passed the mushroom globes at Mentwith Hill Station, complete with machine gun totting police at the gate. Wilsons Wood was off quite a busy road. The section was a grassy track, starting with a couple of sharp corners then a gentle climb. Unfortunately there was a big snag in so much as the official route deviated off the left to run through the undergrowth parallel to the track. This caught out nearly half the entry who followed the track itself.

The special test was another “go slow” affair through a puddle. The section was a nice challenge however, making excellent use of the venue and ending with a steep bank as a sting in the tail. The results show three of the FWD cars clearing the section which is surprising as most of the other cars in the lower classes failed apart from the on-form Bill Bennett.

The club had some PR problems here and some of the later runners were delayed for half and hour while the officials sorted out some irate locals. Once that drama was over there was a shallow deceptively slippery grass track between stone walls too climb. No problem if you were gentle on the throttle but if you gave it to  much welly and the wheels started to spin there was no hope, as Ted Holloway, Michael Leete and a few others discovered.

Incline 2 came shortly after and was attempted only by the higher classes with quite a few making clean climbs this year.

For many Watergate was the best hill of the event, a real classic section. There was a ford at the start and it needed plenty of welly to climb the stony bank the other side. After this the track got a bit rocky and ground clearance became an issue, defeating the Skodas of Ted Holloway, Nigel Jones and Myke Pocock.

Like Wilsons Wood there was trap if you didn’t look out carefully for the markers half the cars missed the “gate” at the nine marker, including Ilkley member and well know rally driver Tony Fall who was driving a Nissan Micra and appeared to be enjoying every minute of it judged by the smile on his face.

Tony wasn’t the only one to miss the nine marker as class eight contenders Dean Partington and Dudley Sterry did the same thing. Nigel Jones ended his trial here. Nigel and David Hunt had been struggling with the clutch on their Skoda for sometime and having used up all the adjustment decided to call it a day.

Strid Wood 1 was a nice friendly little affair but Strid Wood 2 was pure PCT and required considerable agility from car and driver. It was certainly a problem for long wheel base cars and Keith Oakes and Dudley Sterry dropped marks here.

Hawpike 1 was another pure PCT section. There wasn’t much space between the markers and the marshals were watching out for the slightest touch, even penalising Bill Bennett for his only lost mark of the afternoon. 

The final competitive section was a very strange affair. Another “go slow” special test on a grassy bank. The problem was that the marshals didn’t impose the “four wheels out” rule so some cars deviated a long way off route without penalty. John Rhodes had the longest time of 167 seconds but somehow incurred a six point penalty, although he was sufficiently in front of Stephen Kenny to keep his class lead. 

Back at the finish their was an excellent pie and peas supper to entertain competitors while they waited for the results which showed Bill Bennett a conclusive winner. Everyone seemed to enjoy their Ilkley Trial. Its different to its southern counterparts but accept it for what it is and its a super day out, not just for the sections but the route through the Yorkshire countryside as well. It’s a nice time of year to hold the event as well as the club would have had problems with all the grassy sections in the winter.

Best OverallBill Bennett (MGJ2) – Class 211
Best IDMCBoyd Webster (Cannon) – Class 836
Class Winners
 1Nick Pullen (Nissan Micra)60
 2Don Griffiths (Austin 7)33
 3Nigel Hilling (Ford Pop)64
 4Jim Welsh (VW Beetle)25
 5John Bradshaw (Morgan 4/4)63
 7John Rhodes (Dutton Phaeton)29
 8Dean Partington (D. P. Wasp)25

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Ed’s Exmoor

Ed Nikel reports on his Exmoor Trial

We have just returned from North Devon having competed in this years Exmoor Trial in my Dellow. It was this trial that introduced us, my brother Richard (Dick) and myself, to classic trials, first as a spectator then as a competitor, let me explain….

Our cousin, another Richard, who lived in Bideford was looking for a car to compete in PCT’s and trials. Dicks old Imp (Denis) was available, so was dispatched down to North Devon to start a new life as a trials car. It was called Denis the menace having been painted red and black!!!. For several years Dick and I would make an annual pilgrimage to Exmoor and spectate and support Richard and Denis.

Fast forward a couple of years another Richard (Tompkins) influenced me to prepare a car for trials, naturally an Imp, and our first trial had to be the Exmoor trial, which also happens to be a favourite of mine.

Up to date now, Saturday 27th saw us trailering the Dellow down to the farm at Bideford, picking up a parking ticket from jobs worth Bideford warden—– empty car park, car and trailer taking up two spaces but we only bought one ticket instead of two!! ‘How does he sleep at night’?

Sunday morning we were of to Barnstaple for scrutineering, which is across town from the start. Our first panic, the radiator cap was missing! A friendly scrute was dispatched home to find his spare. Fortunately, the cap was found ledged down the side of the rad, so use of the pliers to tighten and secure it in place.

Scrutineering passed, then off to Cedars Hotel to sign in and sample the welcoming bacon cobs, and a chance to catch up with Les Newell the new owner of my buggy who was entering his first trial and coincidentally also lived in Bideford.

Onto the trial and the first sections, Snapper1 and Snapper2. A slippery access track up into the woods with a hairpin right then upto the start of the section. No restart so straight onto Snapper 2 for our first restart. No problems so far.

Out of the woods and onto Riverton via Tordown special test, which was completed not particularly, quickly but clean. Riverton was its rough slippery self; we were only the fourth car so the restart was not to badly cut up and we went clean.

Lee Moor special test was completed then into Huntstone1. A bit of a wait while the bikes had their goes at the hill. The restart on the steepest section of the hill, just after the start, was cleaned, having watched the previous cars come to grief, we kept to the left and had no trouble.

Straight onto Huntstone 2, a grassy track with a 90 right upto the restart and then no further, still our first failure and 6 points.

High Bray again caught up with the bikes. This is a right hand hairpin upto the restart on a rock slab, then a rough rocky climb with a deep gulley on the right track up to the top. We managed a 4 and after dropping back to the hairpin took a run at it and was able to clear the section in front of lots of spectators.

Higher Molland, A grassy rutted track with slippery restart. Then into another woods for Jimmy’s Hill. This is a straight drag up a shale, stone track, very steep though. Worst so far for us, we couldn’t even reach the restart 8pts here. How does Dudley Sterry do it. He cleaned it when many people barely got of the start line!!

Still in the same woods onto Badgers Hill and Rodneys Revenge. The first a right hand turn onto the hill and a straight drag up. We managed 4 here. Reversed down hill and straight onto the start for Rodneys. Left hand hairpin up to the restart, again a stopper 5pts, a run at the hill and we were on our way for the 20mile run up to Lynton and Beggars Roost. We had our first and only puncture while travelling to the section. The restart was on the right, a bit lower than last years Lands End, but was no problem, back to clean again.

Next Scoresdown with a restart for all classes. A tarred road but washed out sections and deep potholes. We were clean so onto the last section, Floyds Bank a short section at right angle to the road grassy, slippery and overlooking Breedon and the Staghunters Inn for the finish and signing off.

To cap the day of we were most surprised to see the provisional results have given us 2nd in class! 

Thanks to all the organisers and marshals from NDMC for an excellent trial and a thoroughly enjoyable days trialling with the bonus of the stunning Exmoor scenery. We will be definitely be back again next year and I would highly recommend that you make the trip and give it a try yourself next year. 

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Dudley Dominates Clee

Dudley Sterry wins Clee Hills Trial

On paper Dudley Sterry and Adrian Dommett were joint equal on special test times, Dudley winning the trial on Special Test times. The reality is this was very much Dudley’s trial, having to contend with much tougher sections and restarts than Adrian. Yes, I know Adrian is in Class 2, but his Wolsley Hornet is more than equal to most Class 8 machines.

Dudley and Adrian totally dominated the event, each only dropping nine, compared to the 21 of their nearest challengers David Foreshew and Ross Norman.

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The Clee Hills retained its figure of eight format for 2007. Classes 0 to 5 doing the Western loop first while 6, 7 and 8 were out East to tackling Longville, Easthope The Jenny Wind etc. The weather was cold, and there was even a little snow, but it didn’t settle and the sky was clear enough for some marvellous views across the Shropshire countryside. Perhaps the biggest problem was the absence of breakfast at The Craven Arms start venue. 

The challenge for the lower classes didn’t start until the cars arrived at the forestry complex for The Priors Holt sections, starting quite logically with Priors Holt Three and going on to Priors Holt Two and One!

Priors Holt 3 was a short, sharp chute, all about restarting just before the rock steps started. First car was Giles Greenslade, who wheezed his way to the top, the Beetle engine hovering on the point when it would cough to a stop. Terry Ball applied plenty of power and flew up, with little or no wheelspin, but all the other class 4 competitors came to a halt with spinning wheels, including Emma Robilliard who was to go on to redeem herself on Priors Holt One and win Class 4. 

Class three had problems as well, only Andrew Martin, driving Stickers Escort as the Melos hasn’t been fixed after the Exeter, going clean. Nigel Green got away from the restart and came out of the top, but incurred a fail as he had straddled the box rather than having have two of his wheels between the markers. 

Simon Groves destroyed his chances of a good result when he went up the bank just after the start of Priots Holt 1 dropping 12. Without any restarts it was all rather easy for Adrian Dommett who arrived back at The Craven Arms for the lunch break clean. 

While all that was going on Dudley Sterry and Brian Osborne were having a successful Western loop, only dropping two on Easthope 2 and five on The Jenny Wind. They had a definite advantage running an early number on Flounders Folly, the first hill, as it was covered with pine needles under the trees and when these had gone it cut up into quite a morass, making it very difficult for following cars. 

In the afternoon the Beetles in class four exploited their ground clearance, Emma Robilliard added another class win to her trophy shelf when she only dropped three on Easthope 2 when Giles dropped six. In Class 3 Andrew Martin maintained his lead for a decisive class win. Adrian Dommett dropped nine in the afternoon to win his class and equalling winner Dudley Sterry score on the hills. 

Dudley Sterry maintained his advantage in the afternoon, only dropping two on Priors Holt 1, which was only cleaned by the flyweights of Dave Foreshew and Dean Partington. 

Derek Tyler was clean in the afternoon in his class 7 Baja to take the class win (in the absence of Andrew Martin?) and classes 5 and 6 were won by Gill Hayward and Mark Tooth respectively. 

Best OverallDudley Sterry (MG J2)9
Class Winners
1David Haizelden (VW Golf GTi)29
2Adrian Dommett (Wolesley Hornet)9
3Andrew Martin (Ford Escort)23
4Emma Robilliard (VW Beetle)27
5Gillian Hayward (MGB GT)65
6Mike Hobbs (VW Beetle)17
7Derek Tyler (VW Baja)30
8David Foreshew (Dingo)21

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Claire’s Clee

Flounders Folly: We got off to a good start on our first section and demolished post 12! If spectating there is safe off road parking opposite the start entrance. 

Harton Wood: Special test done in our usual super sonic speed, steady, but sure. 

Longville: Very steep re-start boxes for three different classes. This is the only trial to date that I have rocked for what seemed an eternity. Don’t know if we stopped forward movement or not but, the snails pace we crawled to the exit was painful. This is an excellent hill to watch & good for parking at the top. 

Easthope 2: This is on a disused railway track. Heard Myke Pocock broke a shaft on his Skoda Estelle. What a shame, as the trip to get back home to Carlisle in total for the day must be at least 400 miles. We struggled up the embankment to post six. 

Easthope 1: Steven Kenny (Liege Sports), a VW. and another car had to be man handled out while we were waiting. If you hit the track wrong going up it throws the vehicle off course. Keith got it right but, not enough power to get passed peg three. Great place to bring the children and the dog. Granny would enjoy it too, as there are lovely walks with stunning views. 

Harley Bank 2: For 7&8 only, we reached stick nine. Parking is OK at the foot of the section. 

Jenny Wind: Wish we had Jenny’s wind behind us as we stopped at the eight. 

Meadowley: I sat watching competitors approach the start line; I could see two potholes with exposed roots, which were now stripped of their skin by previous cars and were now polished to a glossy veneer. As usual, my mind is a blank and I never thought to tell Keith. Our back wheels slotted snugly and tightly in said holes and there we stopped for our second 12 points. 

Across the Long Mynd now. Last year was our first entry attempting the Clee and the whole day was blanketed in fog. As we crossed the cattle grid to climb the steep narrow road, the higher we got more of the dazzling sun came into view. With squinting eyes, we also saw another trials car who was also struggling with the bright sun. This is when I looked to my left and saw the magnificent scenery that stretches for miles. This made me feel quite lyrical. Words of Wordsworth and Rupert Brooke came to mind as I bathed in this glorious vista. 

It’s a fatal mistake to take your eye off the ball and I had no idea where we were when I looked back to the road. As I hadn’t said anything to Keith, he was now playing follow my leader, as was the car behind us. By now, we all knew that we were lost. The passenger in the first car kept on apologising (who shall be nameless, as they are a lovely person) and I couldn’t stop laughing. Galahads in a Nissan Micra came to our rescue. I take it all back what I have said about to day’s youth. They led us to Ratinghope special test plus, another driver out for a Sunday drive with his family who, was taken in what our sport involved followed as well!!!!! 

Phills Folly: Next I must remember to tell Keith to deflate the tyres be fore entering the farm. With all the wet weather, the field was sodden. Keith tried to stay close as he could to a parked trailer and we join everybody by slewing across the field. This and the next section, Gattens Gamble were none to challenging. 

Allez `Oop: Good climb to the summit. Felt sorry for the two marshals at the top, with being so high up and open, there was no protection from the wind and they looked frozen. Good place also for the kids for kite flying but, not the Granny as it is far too cold. As we passed through the exit gate, I needed a call of nature. Nipped into the edge of the forest and having to strip naked from waist to knees to do the necessary (the joys of being a woman) and in the squat position I thought I was going to die from hypothermia. The wind chill factor was like knives in my derrière. Resuscitation soon kicked when I saw three Beetles approaching the gate. No, I don’t mean the insect variety but the VW’s of Messer’s. Looker, Tooth & Sargeant. My strides were soon pulled up! 

Priors Holt 3: Michael Leete and Mike Hayward were marshalling here and they looked frozen too. As we flew passed the last post and took off over a hump, we landed into a hidden dip with such a thump. The recoil threw us both hard back in our seats. 

Priors Holt 2: Can’t remember how far we climbed. Keith said we cleared. 

Priors Holt 1: Charged up to peg six. 

Round Oak: A small notice behind the start line marshal stated “car-eating trench on the left”. Last year this section was not used due to a sick horse in the next field. We finished as dead as a donkey in the trench. Something else I must remember to tell Keith next year, not to deflate the tyres but, pump them up as high as a dumper truck. Marshals were kept busy here towing out cars from the car-eating trench. At the top we saw our friend Steve Heath who, travelled from Rugby with us to spectate. At signing on he was told they were short of marshals so, he volunteered to help out. He was covered from head to foot in mud and frozen too. The only down side was, there was no hot food at the start or finish. Thomas Aldrian, who dropped out from doing the trial due to flu, decided to recuperate by being control marshal at Meadowley. Told us there is a café next to the Craven Arms. This is more to remember to tell Keith next year. 

Big thanks to the organisers and marshals who made this trial run like clock work

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Allen Trial

Adrian Marfell Wins Allen Trial

Adrian was one of six drivers with a clean sheet, pipping Andrew Martin by a second on the special tests to take overall victory. Andrew looks pretty unassailable in the Wheelspin. In the Crackington Dave Haizelden’s win puts him in front of Simon Groves who could only mange fourth in class after dropping eight on Big Uplands.

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Best OverallAdrian Marfell (VW Special)0
Class Winners
1David Haizelden (VW Golf GTi)0
2Bill Bennett (MG J2)0
3Sticker Martin (Ford Escort)0
4Emma Robilliard (VW Beetle)1
5Keith Sanders (Reliant Scimitar SS1)1
6Mike Hobbs (VW Beetle)17
7Andrew Martin (Dutton Melos)0
8Adrian Marfell (VW Special)0

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