Category: Clee Hills

Dean Cleans Clee

Dean Partington, Paul Merson and Ian Facey had clean sheets. As did John Reeves and Hayden Edmonds on two wheels.

Clive Green captures Motorcycle winner John Reeves as he negotiates the early morning gloom of Harton Wood on his KTM Freeride

This was a well planned and executed event with every class having a chance of an overall win. Classes two, five and eight all featured in the top four and this was achieved with the only one restart each for classes 5, 6 and 7.

It was unusual for Class 8 not to have any restarts, but with a couple of exclusive sections they did not have an easy trial, unless you had a DP machine, of course. The Falcon in Dean’s hands and the two Wasps of Paul Merson and Julian Lack filling the first three places in the class!

They were challenged by Ian Facey in his familiar BMW Z3, who finished third overall with a clean sheet, and David Golightly in his delightful Ford Model T-based Morton and Brett board racer, who dropped one to finish fourth overall.

John Reeves was best solo motorcycle.

The Ford 1172 side valve Class 2 cars of Andrew Isherwood (Dellow Mk1) and Roger Ashby (Coats Orthoptera) about to start on the South West Loop. The Class Eight cars behind will set out on the loop to the North East. Photo by The Squirrel

There were some significant route changes compared to the last few years with no Abdon Liberty or Hungerford Steps, where there was too much work required to scrape the crown between the deep ruts.

These were replaced by sections in two complexes on private land, and the return of the Clee’s infamous figure-of-eight loops. The changes worked, and without the inevitable delays at Hungerford and sending the entry out on different loops, even the later numbers finished on time.

New Forest Complex near The Goggin

The Owen Motoring Club ran the three new sections
Peter Ashford and Tom Jones on High Cullis in Peters recently acquired Dellow Mk2. As permitted on the Clee they shared the drive on the private land sections and finished second in a well supported Classs Two. Photo by the Owen Motoring Club

While the bikes and higher car classes set out north on the A49, the lower car classes went to the nearby Forest Complex. These muddy sections proved challenging, and only David Golightly in his Class 2 Model T-based board racer, Sam Holmes in his Class 4 Beetle, and Ian Facey with the BMW Z3 emerged without penalty.

Harton Wood and Heywood Common

Stuart Holton grappling with the mud on Harton Wood. Photo by Clive Green
Braving the cold without a hat David Golightly exits Heywood Common in his Model T based Board Racer. David finished fourth overall. Photo by Andy Brady

Coats Farm Test

Simon Oates on the Special Test. Simon finished second in Class 7

Although the event had a long way to go, this test was to decide the trial for both two and four wheels. Pouncey League champion John Reeves pipped Hayden Edmonds by a second and a half. They were to finish with clean sheets, and John’s time would give him the bike win. They weren’t the fastest, though; that honour went to Ali Haigh on his Honda 4Ride, but he was to pick up five points at Meadowley Wood.

Dean Partington was the fastest car which was important as it would give him the overall win on the trial.

Coats Wood

InCar on Coats Wood with Michael Leete and Christine Bird in their Class 7 Dellow Mk1

The section was different this year as Clerk of the Course Simon Woodall had not been able to obtain permission to exit through the wood so the section ended after turning through the gate towards the top of the slope. Only motorcycles and 6, 7, 8 attempted this section which was very muddy. The lighter bikes with small engines all went clean but it was a different story for the heavier machines.

Class Eight all used their power to weight to go clean, but all in class six, and the majority of class seven, either floundered in the mud at the start or spun out when it got very slippy towards the top.

Longville

Having been spared Coats Wood the lower car classes attempted Longville, with a restart for Class five. The section proved straightforward with only a couple of failures.

Easthope 1

Liam James and Becky Giles in the Ridge Cannon campaigned for so many years by Brian Partridge. Photo by Clive Green

There seemed to be a lot more grip on this familiar hill this year, but nevertheless it requires a full-blooded attack off the line and quite a few floundered in the mud at the bottom having failed to realise this. There was a surprise at the top as well, as the section ended by turning right instead of the more usual left.

Majors Leap/Ippikins Rock

Staying in the woodland, the bikes and Class Eight went off to Majors Leap. This proved a challenging section, and Mark Hobbs (Troll) and Ian Davis (VW Buggy) lost their clean sheets here.

The other cars tackled Ippikins Rock with its sharp right hand hairpin. This proved not to be Beetle friendly and quite a few of them were penalised.

Harley Bank 1 & 2

Harley Bank 1 was attempted by bikes and cars in 7 and 8. Like Easthope 1 it seemed to have a lot of grip this year and most stormed up the section although the deviation for bikes in B and cars in Class Eight was more of a problem.

Meadowley Wood

Class 6 winner Karen Warren stopped at the five on Meadowley Wood, as did most of the Beetles. Photo by Matthew Boyce who also took some Videos

Meadowley, one of the Clee’s feature hills, has been in use since 1948. Its tree roots and deep ruts are always challenging, but this year’s conditions were particularly difficult due to the local hunt disturbing the track a few days prior.

Classes 0, 1, 2 and 90 were allowed to give the section a miss. A handful of bikes got up OK but it was a different story for the saloon and sports cars. Only Ian Facey made it to the top. His BMW Z3 seemingly gliding over the rough bits so tuned was his suspension to the hill. Ian was to go clean on all the sections and finish third overall. The others all struggled and several of the Beetles suffered body damage when they scraped their wings against the bank.

Some of the class eights were successful as was John Early and Simon Oates in their Leiges in Class Seven.

Hillside

There were three Austin Sevens taking part. One each in Classes 2, 5 and 7. Clive Green was at Hillside to capture Mark Gregg, the man behind the Edinburgh Trial, in his Reliant engined Class Five car which still carries the side numbers from the Lands End
Ian Davis and Kevin Roberts on Hillside

There were two sections on private land at the Hillside complex. They were quite muddy, and the first one proved too much for almost all the lower car classes except for the Beetles of Dave Sargeant and class four winner Sam Holmes.

Fred Spaven gave up the battle against the Clees muddy sections here. His Royal Enfield Charging Bullet proving far too heavy for all the goo. Fred built the bike for the Lands End and the Clee was his first one day trial on the machine. He reckoned it could have made it round the 80 mile route but diverted for a precautionary charge at Much Wenlock.

Oak Dingle

The bikes and the specials in Class Eight had to follow a winding route through the trees. It wasn’t a problem for the bikes, but about half the Eights couldn’t quite make it out the top of their section and dropped two. Julian Lack was one to fail here in his ex-Mike Chatwin DP Wasp, losing his clean sheet and second overall.

All the other cars had a run up a straight rutted track which proved more difficult than it looked, stopping all in Classes six and seven who had to restart and half of those that didn’t. David Golightly couldn’t quite get to the top, dropping his solitary mark of the day in his Model T based Morton and Brett board racer. Neverless this was more than enough for fourth overall.

This was the last section for the lower car classes who had done the southern route first but the bikes and higher car classes had an 18 mile run for their sections in the new forest.

Cundalls Rise

Only attempted by the bikes and Classes Seven and Eight this short, sharp section was described as very steep initially then grass. The very steep bit defeated three of the bikes, the remainder came out the top.

Tom Hunt was the only Class Seven to go clean in his Leige. Most of the others floundered in the mud at the bottom or on the very steep bit for a 10 or eleven. The exception was John Early, who got to the eight, which was good enough for him to pip Simon Oates for the class win.

The Goggin and High Cullis followed. Both excellent sections requiring determined attempts but neither had a significant impact on the results.

The Finish

Everyone was back at the Squirrel before Four o’clock as there had been very few delays, probably helped by Hungerford Steps being left out. All in all a successful and popular trial with the only blemish being the body damage to some of the saloons on Meadowley.

Best Bike Overall – John Reeves (KTM Freeride) 0

Class Winners

A Joe Stollery (Indian Woodsman) 21
B1 Mark Wills (Beta Alp) 23
B2 Hayden Edmunds (Beta XTrainer) 0
B3 Ali Haigh (Honda 4Ride) 3
C John Kenny (13)

Best Car Overall – Dean Partington (DP Falcon) 0

Class Winners

1 Nigel Whiten (Ford Ka) 61
2 David Golightly (Ford T) 1
3 Simon Fairbanks (BMW 318is)54
4 Sam Holmes (VW Beetle) 5
5 Ian Facey (BMW Z3) 0
6 Karen Warren (VW Beetle) 23
7 John Early (Leige) 12
8 Paul Merson (DP Wasp) 0
90 David Slade (Suzuki X90) 18
0 Jonathan Ward (Morris Bullnose Oxford) 76

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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

Slippery Clee Hills

Dean Partington only dropped one mark to win the car class. However Dean could only claim victory on the last section as until then Matt Facey had been clean. John Reeves was best bike with a clean sheet on his KTM

Colin Gwyer captures Matt Facey giving his BMW some air at the top of Longville. Matt was clean and in the lead when he arrived at the last section but spun to a stop on the slippery mud and it was Dean Partington who was best car with one mark lost on Oak Dingle.

It had been very wet in the week leading up to the trial, but it was dry when competitors set off from The Squirrel in Ludlow after completing the Clees very efficient administration. After many years in the hands of the Midland Automobile Club the reigns had been transferred to the Midland Manor Motor Club. However the old team were still at the helm in the form of Simon Woodall, Pat Toulmin and crew. Pat was using the Spotify App to keep competitors up to speed before, during and after the event and this was very successful.

Continue reading “Slippery Clee Hills”

Ian Davis wins Cold Clee

What no restarts!

With determination written all over his face Clee Hills winner Ian Davis fights to stop his VW Buggy jumping out of the ruts on Meadowly. Photo by Matt Venables

With high forestry charges this years Clee Hills stayed East of the A49, with what proved to be a good mix of sections to challenge everyone from Beginner to Expert. Many of the sections were not subdivided and there was only one restart scheduled but even this disappeared when Longville was cancelled.

Continue reading “Ian Davis wins Cold Clee”

Paul Merson wins Clee Hills Trial

Previous winner Nick Deacon was second in his X90. Kev Standard was best Motorcycle.

Paul Merson and Nick Sherrin on their way to a narrow Clee Hills win over Nick Deacon. Photo by Steve Shelley of ssshoot photography

With no Clee last year because of Covid there was an eager bunch of trialers gathered at The Squirrel in Ludlow for the first one day trial of the year.

The organisers set out to simplify this years event and didn’t use the Clee’s well known two loop system this time.

There were also some familiar sections omitted because of forestry issues. This didn’t stop the trial being a first class event with a lot of praise on social media from the competitors.

Continue reading “Paul Merson wins Clee Hills Trial”

Nick Deacon wins Clee in X90

John Kenny best Motorcycle

2001CleeNickDeacon
Nick Deacon emerges from the greenery on his way to the premier Award on the Clee Hills Trial. Photo by Andrew Marchant. Click Here for more of Andrews Clee Photos.

The Midland Automobile Club had accumulated a formidable organising team for this years Clee Hills Trial. A veritable dynasty of trialling with Simon Woodall as Clerk of the Course, Pat Toulmin Secretary of the Meeting and Adrian Tucker-Peake as Chief Marshall.

Their event was classic modern Clee, retaining their unique twin loop system which helps finish the trial on time as it brings two hills into play at the same time but can make it a long day for the marshals. Continue reading “Nick Deacon wins Clee in X90”

Clee Returns

Sam Holmes Conquered the Gloomy Conditions

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Windscreen Wipers going Sam Holmes peers through the gloom on his way to winning the Clee Hills Trial (Photo Peter Wrigglesworth)

The Midland Automobile Club had a good and varied entry for their Clee Hills Trial. Clerk of the Course Simon Woodall retained the events familiar two loop system which reduces delays for the competitors but can result in a long day for the Marshalls. Continue reading “Clee Returns”

Clee Hills Trial

Adrian Marfell wins in a Class 6 Beetle. The provisional results had Sam Holmes as the winner but these were revised when Adrians penalty on Gattens Gamble was scrubbed.

1701cleesamholmes
Sam and Mick Holmes get out of shape on Flounders Folly on their way to coming close to winning the Clee Hills Trial (Photo by Dave Cook)

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Dean Partington wins Clee Hills with a Clean Sheet

With unusually dry conditions there were nine clean sheets, across five classes, so special test times came into play to determine the results.

It was an excellent trial, with some new and reintroduced sections,although the dry conditions made stoppers like The Jenny Wind and Easthope cleanable by mere mortals. The event was notable for the bumper Class Two entry with the VSCC coming out in force to enliven the proceedings.

Clee Hills Winner Dean Partington enjoying the classic section at Castle Hill. Picture by Dave Cook
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Clerk of the Course Graham Austin and his Midland Automobile Club Team were rewarded by a bumper entry for this years Clee. A few weeks before numbers were a bit thin and consequently Graham decided to do away with the events familiar double loop system. Come the day there was a full entry of 80, with some prospective competitors turned away. The system worked well though and there were very few delays. 

Although there were 22 sections they were not attempted by everyone, as the comprehensive plan sent out with the final instructions revealed. The idea was to more or less eliminate the necessity for restarts by deviations, differential start lines and alternative sections for the different classes.

Muddy Strefford

A muddy Strefford Wood 3 was first on the agenda for 1,2,7 and 8. This defeated all in classes 1 and 7 with Pete Hart doing best to get to the three. Unfortunately some of the VSCC contingent in class 2 had trouble with the entrance track and it was abandoned for them, but not until Bill Bennett stormed to the 5. It was on for the Class 8’s though and half a dozen of them went clean. 

Class Eight Flounder

Those who didn’t start at Strefford Wood commenced battle at a reintroduced Flounders Folly, now without the gate on the twist at the start. This proved relatively straightforward for the lower classes, who turned off before the mud started. Classes 7 & 8 had to go straight up where the mud and increasing gradient saw only eventual winner Dean Partington and fellow DP Wasp driver Mike Chatwin go clear. Despite having picked up two punctures already Duncan Stephens came close in his Class 7 Melos, getting to the two, one further than Tim Smith (Marlin). As it turned out these first two hills decided 7 & 8 as the leading contenders were to clean the rest of the sections. 

Cleared Callow

The next section was just across the car park and the clearing refers to the organisers efforts with saw and brush cutter to make the section usable. It was a straight blast for everyone but class eight, who had a wicked deviation that was too much for 50% of them, including Adrian Marfell (in his special rather than the Beetle he had entered) and Dudley Sterry. The other classes had to contend with differential start lines which resolved Class 6 as Gary Browning went clear and remained so, while Vic Lockley dropped his only mark of the day. A couple of the Class 0’s went clear, Andrew Isherwood wasn’t in this group, dropping six in his Dellow Mk1. However, these were the only marks he was to lose all day and he went on to win the Class. 

Hungerford Returns

2011 saw the return of the marvellous Hungerford, at least if you weren’t in 7 or 8 who gave it a miss. The lower reaches were dry with the exposed rock steps to contend with, not too bad if you took it easy. Once out of the gully the gradient eased and the rocks stopped, replaced by mud and deep ruts that went on and on, a truly marvellous section, if you have the ground clearance. The VSCC contingent did well here but only Rob Wells could coax a Suzuki X90 over the muddy hump at the end, even Jonathan Toulmin, who has done so much for the event, needing a tow. After a Class 0 only section at Harton Wood they were given a taste of the action here, which was perhaps a little unfair for the lower slung cars as some of the ruts were really deep. 

Lots of Grip on The Jenny Wind

Everyone attempted The Jenny Wind, but how different can a hill be. It was very dry and there was plenty of grip everywhere, apart from the very top where the gradient increases as the section meets the cross track. The majority of the entry cleaned the section, many for the first time. Most of those that didn’t at least saw the summit, defeated by the mud at that last little rise. This group included Clee stalwarts and Northern Trial organisers Fred Mills (Marlin) and Derek Reynolds (DAF). Having lost Lee Huck at the first section all the class 1’s stormed up, at the expense of a CV joint for Dave Haizelden’s Golf which he soon repaired. Nigel Jones was delighted to go clean in his MGF but decided to retire afterwards with gear selection problems, caused earlier in the day when the sump guard was pushed up onto the linkage, 

Into the Woods

Going back through Much Wenlock and onto the B4371 there was a new route into Easthope Wood and its one way system. 7&8 had Major’s Leap and Hill Top on the agenda. Everyone in Class 8 cleaned both and most of the Class 7’s as well. 

Classes 1 to 6 were treated to a relatively dry Easthope, cleaned by all but a few who struggled with the bump at the top. Ippikins Rock followed. Its hairpin bend was on form but those that got round were disappointed as it had to be taken out of the results following some confusion regarding the instructions. 

Heywood Common

Classes 7 & 8 missed out on this nice little BOAT, that proved surprising difficult. It was rocky, rutty and being shaded the mud hadn’t dried. It certainly sorted out the Class 0’s, only a couple of Dellows a Melos and a Marlin getting to the summit. It defeated quite a few of the VSCC contingent as well. Surprising with the large entry, there were only two Class 3’s in this years Clee and neither climbed Heywood Common. James Smith was to win the Class in his BMW while Derek Reynolds had to retire after Castle. 

Castle

The organisers are to be congratulated for finding this fine old track. Everyone had a go and there were no failures despite being restricted to road pressures. It is truly a magnificent setting, providing a stunning backdrop to Dave Cook’s photos.

Rattlinghope & Gattens Gamble

After a nice run over The Long Mynd there was a the usual special test at Rattlinghope followed by Gattens Gamble, run the normal way round this year. It was nice to see the land owner talking to some of the competitors at the start of the section. The club are very lucky to have him support the event with such enthusiasm. He is well known in the area for taking his daughter to school in his tank! The views at the top of Gattens Gamble are truely magnificent, as they were through the Gliding Club on the way to the Priors Holt Complex. One of the many reasons why competitors are attracted to this event. 

Priors Holt 4

This was a new hill, despite looking very much like Priors Holt 3. Everyone but Class 0 attempted the section which had differential start lines. The first part was steep muddy rock, although there was plenty of grip, before a sting in the tail when the route dived off into deep muddy ruts before finishing back on the main track. As it happened it didn’t prove a problem to the regulars, although Nick Cleal bogged down in his Peugeot 205 

Enterprise Observed Test

There was a long run round the perimeter of the wood to this new special test. The finish line was on a steep bank where, perhaps surprisingly, most people managed to stop astride. Former Clee Clerks of the Course Simon Woodall and Jonathan Toulmin managed the finish line OK but fell foul of line C-C. 

With several clean sheets the two observed tests were important. Dean Partington was inch perfect to make it a DP Wasp one, two with Mike Chatwin in Class Eight and take the Fray Cup for the overall winner. 

James Shallcross kept to his winning ways in Class 1 while in Class 2 I’m sure even Bill Bennett wouldn’t have minded being pipped to the class by John Bell in his slightly more modern MG TD. Class four was the other category to be decided on test times and John White made it decisive, by nine seconds, over Sam Holmes. 

The Slab

This was the first year the lower classes had been let lose on this twisty, bumpy little section. Although tricky there was plenty of grip in the dry and the main contenders had no problems. It was easy to lose control though and David Jackson dived into the bracken in his FPS but was able to continue. Not so Dean Yarranton who retired his Reliant Goose Special in the Priors Holt Complex with a broken diff. Julian Fack was spectaing and promptly sold him a new one! 

Priors Holt 1

Adjacent to The Slab, and attempted by only 7 & 8, PH1 is long with loose stones, mud and a steadily increasing gradient. It turned out to be tricky, stopping more than 50% including Ian Davis who had dropped only one mark till then. 

Priors Holt 2

The lower Classes were spared the fearsome reverse down PH1 this year but still had PH2 to contend with. This is a very long hill, stony at the bottom, mud and ruts at the top with a restart for 3 to 6, their only one of the day. There was plenty of grip and the section claimed only a few victims. A couple on the sharp corner at the bottom and a few more in the ruts after the sharp right hander at the top. 

Strefford Wood 1

The lower classes were off to the finish to sign off after the Piors Holt Sections but 7 & 8 went back across the A49 for Strefford Wood 1 to tackle the full section this time. Things had dried out considerably since the morning but the gully was there to trap the unwary. The section proved a sting in the tail for Andy Curtis who went up the class 7 route in his Buggy, losing the award for second in class in the process. 

The Finish

Back at the finish there were a happy crowd of competitors who had enjoyed a near perfect event. OK it was a shame that some of the awards had to be decided on the Observed Tests but the organisers couldn’t have expected things would be so dry. At least it gave some of the stalwarts of the entry list the chance to see the top of a few hills they had never seen before. There were a few criticisms but in true Clee spirit Graham Austin and Adrian Tucker-Peake didn’t defend the situation but vowed to sort them out for next time. Its that attitude which brings competitors and marshals back to this excellent event.

Class
OverallDean Partington (DP  Wasp)0
0Andrew Isherwood (Mk1 Dellow)6
1James Shallcross (Peugeot 205)5
2John Bell (MG TB)7
3James Smith (BMW 318 Si)6
4John White (VW Beetle)0
5Keith Sanders (Reliant Scimitar SS)0
6Gary Browning (VW Beetle)0
7Duncan Stephens (Dutton Melos)5
8Mike Chatwin (DP Wasp)0

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.

Muddy Clee to Adrian Marfell

Adrian Marfell takes a Narrow Win in the Mud

It was a very close fight for overall honours, the top six all finishing a few points from one another. Pete Hart joined the top Class 8 contenders for overall honours, finishing fifth overall as well as winning Class 7, gaining the Boyne Trophy for doing so three years in secession. Pete wasn’t the only Boyne winner, Keith Sanders joining him for his performance in Class 5.

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The Clee used its familiar split route, albeit with some different sections. Clerk of the Course Adrian Tucker-Peake had hoped to reintroduce Hungerford but the exit track became impassable a few days before the event after an errant piece of farm machinery clipped a bank, bringing down more material than could be cleared in time. 

The Long Mynd Loop wasn’t a problem for the Higher Classes 

Seven and Eight started with the “Long Mynd” loop which didn’t present any problems to the main contenders until Priors Holt 1 where Dudley Sterry was defeated by the loose stones. Venturing out on the “Muddy Loop” the sump on Strefford Wood 1 didn’t claim as many victims as usual and around half the 7’s and 8’s got to enjoy the long blast. 

The traditional Meadowley section was next on the agenda. The ruts and tree roots only defeated three cars but one of them was Simon Woodall who dropped four. If Simon had gone clean like his rivals he would have won overall, such is trialling! 

Seven and Eight Start to Loose Marks 

As the muddy loop continued the 7’s and 8’s started to loose marks. Pete Hart (Marlin), Adrian Marfel (Lancia Special) and Mike Chatwin (DP Wasp) were all clean when they arrived at The Jenny Wind. All three lost a single mark here to remain in a three way tie for the lead. This was was followed by the new, and unpopular Jenny Windout where Adrian lost 8, Pete and Mike only 7. 

Mike Chatwin and Pete Hart drop marks to Adrian Marfell on the muddy Easthope 1 

The results of the trial were finally decided on the very, very muddy Easthope 1 which Adrian cleaned, Mike dropped 2 and Pete 4. All the leading contenders cleaned the remaining sections so it was Adrian Marfell in his Lancia powered rail that won the Fray trophy, dropping nine marks, no doubt helped by having the experienced Giles Greenslade in the passenger seat. Mike Chatwin was second overall, dropping 10, Simon Woodall third on 11 and Pete Hart, Dudley Sterry and Dean Partington on 12. 

A Muddy Start for the Lower Classes

The lower classes embarked on the muddy loop first and didn’t fare very well in the clag. In particular Hilltop was a problem and nobody got more than a few yards, wallowing in the mud for an 11 or 12. 

James Shallcross was in a class of his own amongst the saloons and older cars, winning Class 1 by a big margin, in particular showing everyone the way on Strefford Wood 3 and Easthope 1. 

Terry Ball Looses his Boyne on the new Pinstones Section 

Keith Sanders won Class 5 and a Boyne Trophy but Terry Ball lost his opportunity to do like wise when he failed Pinstones. This new section featured two hairpins on grass. The second one was very tight and competitors were allowed one reverse to get round. It was still pretty difficult, especially for cars that are a bit light on the front end. Sam and Mick Holmes won and all Beetle Class 4 and Vic lockley Class 6 

Back at the Finish for an Early Bath 

The efficient route and no lunch break meant an early finish and cars were back at The Craven Arms around 3 in the afternoon. So concluded another successful Clee Hills Trial. Some great new sections and some not so good. However, based on their past performance we can depend on the organisers learning from competitors comments and continuing to improve their trial year by year.

OverallAdrian Marfell (Lancia Special)9
0AEd Wells (Dutton Melos)28
0BChris Maries (Suzuki X90(30
1James Shallcross (Peugeot 205)27
2David Golightly (Ford Model A)47
3James Smith (BMW 318i)56
4Sam Holmes (VW Beetle)36
5Keith Sanders (Reliant Scimitar SS1)36
6Vic Lockley (VW beetle)46
7Pete Hart (Marlin)12
8Mike Chatwin (DP Wasp)10

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

Simons Clee

Simon Woodall wins Clee Hills Trial after Dean Partington fails Longville Special Test

Simon had a narrow victory. After dropping five in Meadowly Wood Simon slipped behind Dean Partington on the observed sections. However, Dean lost three marks when he failed the excellent, but infamous, Longville Special Test, giving Simon the overall win by one mark.

Long time Clee Hills Trial Organiser Simon Woodall storming Flounders Folly on his way to an Overall Win (Picture by Dave Cook)
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There was a new Clerk of the Course this year, Simon Woodall and Jonathan Toulmin handing over the reigns to Adrian Tucker-Peake who had Graham Austin to assist him. There were some changes to the route. No Alez Oop, as agreement couldn’t be reached with the landowner. This meant taking the long way round to the Priors Holt sections but this was more than compensated for by the lower classes having Castle Hill introduced for the first time.

Adrian kept the double loop 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 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 6, while 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 and this report starts at section 10!

There was no Penhale’s Puzzler Special Test this year so Classes 0 to 6 started proceedings at Section 10 – Flounders Folly, while 7 & 8 went over The Long Mynd via Castle Hill to Rattlinghope, although they bypassed the new section itself. Flounders Folly is a slippery affair though the trees with a more difficult route for the higher classes which stopped all of them. There were a few cleans for the lesser mortals, including the amazing David Haizelden in his Class 1 Golf.

Section 11 – Harton Wood – John Sergeant was in charge here, for this track through the woods, which was Class 0 only this year, although John was able to give a wave to the other competitors as they drove by the foot of the section. Richard Andrews and Nick Woolett both went clear in their Dellows and it was shame that Nick had failed in the gate area at Flounders Folly as they were to be very close for the rest of the day.

Longville Special Test – Adrian Tucker-Peake reintroduced this old favourite, which was to decide the winner of this years trial. This section is as much a restart as a special test. After going all four wheels over line B you have to reverse all four wheels back before going forward again. The problem is this is on a slippery slope and its very difficult to get going forwards again. Drivers have to decide how far to back down past the line. Go a long way back and it takes time but you get to clear the section. Back up just a bit and you will get a good time, if you get away. If you don’t you get a 3 mark penalty. This is exactly what happened to Dean Partington and it cost him the trial.

James Shallcross was another one of many to fall foul here as well. That was a shame as he was running David Haizelden very close on the other sections. Its only a matter of time before James triumphs over the all conquering Dave.

Section 12 – Easthope 1 –  This is in the same complex as Ippikins Rock and Majors Leap.  It’s a muddy track with some pretty deep ruts, despite some work by the club during the winter. There were only four clears, all in class eight, Simon Woodall and Andy Curtis in their VW Buggies, Dudley Sterry in his venerable MG J2 and Dean Partington in his self constructed Special. Outside of class eight most people came to a stop when they ran out of ground clearance, somewhere between the seven and nine.

Section 13 – Ippikins Rock – Only the lower classes tackled this nice little section which is all about a very tight hairpin right. There is usually a restart here, but Adrian T-P had dropped it this time. That made a difference as only a couple of cars in Class 0 dropped any marks here.

Section 14 – Majors Leap – Only attempted by the reds and yellows this defeated all of the Class Sevens and many of the class eights as well. Four of the top five in class eight went clear, Dean Partington being the only exception in his DP Wasp.

Section 15 – The Jenny Wind – A 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. For most it was a reverse back down but both Pete Hart (Marlin) and Tris White (Hillman Imp) had the ultimate experience of seeing the exit track at the top. Dean was the only one of the top class eights to fail. He stopped at the two and well done to Giles Greenslade in Class 4 to better this with a one. We expect you to come out of the top next year Giles!!

Section 16 – Harley Bank – This used to be a wonderful long track but the old route has become too easy after council re-surfacing. There are now three different sections. The Class 0’s get to run straight through the old section which they all cleared. 1 to 6 used the same track but had a horrible left had hairpin in sticky clay and nobody got around.

Classes 7 and 8 had a different route. The eights also had a nasty hairpin on their route and all failed. The Sevens had things a little easier and Mal Allen (Marlin) and Steve Kenny (Liege) joined Pete and Tris in going clear.

Section 16 – Meadowley Wood – Only the hard men were are allowed top tackle this, their last section of the trial. If you like mud, tree roots and deep ruts this is your hill. Class eight had to have a minimum of 15 psi. This handicapped them and only Dean and Paul Bartleman (Troll) came out of the top.

The 2nd loop, for the lower classes, the one that 7 & 8 started with, had a very different character. Much more picturesque, more rocks and less mud. It started with a wonderful new section called Castle Hill before climbing The Long Mynd. Unfortunately only the lower classes were allowed a go. There was only one failure but no matter, this was a really, really enjoyable section, very reminiscent of Axe on The Cotswold Clouds.

Rattlinghope Special Test – Adrian T-P and Grahan Austin had tried to spice up his delightful section by making it a regularity test. The Route Card told you it was 1/8 mile long, but you were only given the target speed of 7.5 mph , on the start line. Sitting here its easy to work out that the target time was exactly a minute. Around half the entry got it right and there were only two fails for an incomplete test, including none other than Dudley Sterry. Fortunately the six marks he lost didn’t cost him the trial win but if he had cleaned Meadowley it would have done!

Section 2 – Gatten’s Gamble – Starting in farmer Phil Harding’s yard the big disappointment was that the tank wasn’t there this year! This is another wonderful, long, up and over, Clee section with fantastic views crossing the summit. There was a restart near the top this year which claimed a few scalps before the muddy descent to the road.

Section 3 – Handless – Attempted only by Class 8 this was a new hill. It had a very greasy hairpin right followed by some good grip and a hairpin left. Dave Foreshew was in charge here, to see the three leading cars go clear with the others failing on one of the hairpins.

With Alez Oop off the agenda this year cars had to take the long way round to the Priors Holt Complex.

Section 4 – Priors Holt 1 – This is a steep, rocky climb that gets progressively steeper with tyre pressure limits for the higher classes. The leading class 7 & 8 competitors went clear but the lower classes found life much more difficult. In Class three the powerful Escorts of Dick Bolt and Andrew Martin went clear as did Terry Ball in his Beetle in Class 4. For the others it was a long and difficult reverse.

Section 5 – Priors Holt 2 – Deemed too easy for class eight the remainder of the entry enjoyed this long climb, very similar in character to priors Holt 1, but a little easier, hence a restart for some. This caught out a few experienced competitors. In Class three Andrew Martin dropped 8, denying him the opportunity to challenge Dick Bolt in his Duratec engined machine. Giles Greenslade bellied out here and with the points he lost on Priors Holt 1 had to settle for second in class to Terry Ball. At least Giles didn’t have to contend with the mud and ruts at the summit!

Section 6 – Priors Holt 3 – A steep climb with loose rock, demanding close attention to tyre pressures and throttle control. Thankfully there were no restarts this year and pretty much everyone got a clean to enjoy the trip through the forest at the summit.

Long Mynd Special Test – Nice timed rocky climb with a nifty descent where it was all too possible to overshoot the finish line. 

Section 8 – Strefford Wood 2 – No this isn’t out of order! This was the entrance track for the Class 1 to 6’s attack on the main Strefford Wood section. It turned out to be a great challenge. Slippery clay and as it said in the route instructions “flat tyres and flat out”. There was a friendly Land Rover to tow you up to the main section if you failed, all in all a great replacement for the much missed Round Oak.

Section 7 – Strefford Wood – The team had drained the “Gunge Pit” this year but it was still a challenge. Classes 7&8 approached via the Gunge Pit. This wasn’t very Dellow friendly and Peter Mountain and David Bache both stopped here in their Mk1’s, as did David Jackson in his Fiat engined FPS. Once through the Gunge Pit the other Class Eights all went clean.

Class 7 found it a bit more difficult, but it was Marlin friendly, with Pete Hart, John Ludford and Mal Alen all getting to the summit, as did Andrew Rippon his Baja before he retired after Flounders Folly.

None of the lower classes got to the summit. Missing out the Gunge Pit most were defeated by the ruts at the bottom, caused by 7 & 8’s earlier attempts. This was no place to be without good ground clearance and none of the class threes did better than a 10. The FWD contingent did better, perhaps they were able to pick a better line? They all got to at least to the eight and James Shallcross had another good drive to better Dave Haizelden to just behind him in class one.

In summary another excellent Clee. Adrian Tucker-Peake and Graham Austin living up to the challenge of following Simon and Jonathan. The new sections went down well and they had addressed the criticisms of last years trial.

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