Paul Merson takes narrow Hardy win

It was a close thing, with Ray Ferguson just one mark behind

1911HardyRogerAshby
Roger Ashby and Gavin Lane in their steamer on Meerhay. Video Capture by Chris Briant Click Here for the Video

InCar with Ray and Hannah Ferguson in their Liege

Woolbridge had strong local support for their Classic Trial, including a Four Wheel Drive class running at the back of the field. The event was a mixture of traditional lanes supplemented by some grassy venues familiar to competitors who go to the clubs single venue events. These of course require a very different driving technique to the rocky lanes. Either trickle or blast, there is no in-between! Continue reading “Paul Merson takes narrow Hardy win”

Hardy Trial

Stewart Green achieved a Clean Sheet on the Grass but its Clubmen that dominated the entry.

In Car with Mark and James Smith in their Class Six Beetle

Woolbridge Motor Club had a good entry for their Hardy Trial boosted by the large number of Clubman category competitors who were all running in Class 0.

There were seven clean sheets amongst the motorcycles, Brian Wyles coming out top on his GasGas 250 by virtue of his test times.

The National B car category only had 17 starters and it was Stewart Green who took the overall win with the only clean sheet inn his Class 8 Gruffalo. Dave Haizelden was second in his Class Five Reliant Scimitar, dropping three in the grassy field after the deviation out of the gully on Knowle Lane. Continue reading “Hardy Trial”

Hardy Trial 2016

Dean Partington was Best Car

Dean Partington in his familiar DP Wasp was best of a small field of 16 cars, dropping 12 marks. Ian Davis was second, dropping 23 in his VW Buggy.

There was a well supported Clubmans Class, win by Lee Peck in his Dutton Melos.

Geoff Walker was best motorcycle on his GasGas Pampera

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Sticker’s Hardy

We were fortunate to have a Hardy this year, but thanks to Simon Woodall, Tony Young, his team and the VWOC the event ran, albeit in a simple format. Simple or not finding grip was a challenge and the yellows and reds had some tough restarts. The Escorts did well and Sticker Martin was the overall winner, followed by Tristan White.

We were fortunate to have a Hardy this year. Last years event did not take place for various reasons, and then this year Woolbridge didn’t have people to fill the top positions. ACTC Chairman Simon Woodall worked hard to put a team in place only for the Woolbridge Committee to decide they didn’t want the event run under their banner. Fortunately Simon was able to get the VWOC to lend their support and the Hardy ran under their flag with Tony Young as the principle organiser. With little time in front of them the team couldn’t be too ambitious and ran the event with a short road mileage in the Bridport – Weymouth area. Unfortunately as the VWOC are not affiliated to the ACU this years Hardy had to run without the bikes. 

Thirty-Two cars lined up at the Hardy’s familiar Freshwater Holiday Park. They were led away by Adrian Dommett, running as number 0 as he bought along his Ford Special rather than his familiar Wolseley Hornet. 

The first two sections at Boarsbarrow took the restarting yellows and reds out of the equation. The gradient was pretty severe, on a loose surface, and there was little chance of getting away on the restarts, especially as the marshals were instructed not to let competitors dig deep holes. Running g first car Adrian Dommett wasn’t even able to get to the restart line on Boarsbarrow 1, but he cleared the wet leaves away for the others. 

The hill was a straight climb through trees, across a track and then a little further up a dead end cleared through the bushes. The restart was just before the cross track for classes 6, 7 and 8 and none of them managed to get away, although Adrian Marfell came very close. It was a different storey for the “non-restarters”, provided they had enough momentum, and quite a few got over the track but only Sticker Martin, Tristan White and Keith Saunders (Reliant SS1) got as far as the one. 

On the parallel Boarsbarrow 2 only Sticker martin and Keith Saunders came out of the top, although Christopher Symons came close in his Porsche 924, as did Richard Dawe in his Midget. Gary Hobbs and Ian Bailey had problems with the trees in their Sierra’s and Gary left having wiped out both the lights and front bumper. 

Adrian Marfell was the only car to clear Knowle Lane before the grassy slopes of a series of sections at Uploders and Pooks Peak. By now Sticker Martin had pulled out a substantial lead and although Tristan White pulled a couple back on the second section at Nicks Pit he ran out a worthy winner. 

There was a very friendly atmosphere at the finish. It had been very difficult for the organisers to put the event together and everyone was very appreciative of their efforts, which hopefully have saved the trial for the future.


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