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It was a comparatively straightforward Exeter for Class 0 this year.
21 of the 51 Starters awarded Blue Hills Tin Medals.
Dave Cook captures Ross On Wyes Vic Lockley and Neil Forest getting away from the start line on Gatcombe Lane on their way to a Blue Hills Tin (Picture by Dave Cook)
The weather was kind to competitors on this years Exeter, which started at the Haynes Museum for Class 0. The first competitive section wasn’t very far as it was in the car park where the first observed test was sited. With no class award at stake in Class 0 this shouldn’t have been a problem, but Dellow Register Chairman Nick Woollett lost his Tin here when he was penalised for over running a line.
Putting the issue of time penalties to one side this was a well organised trial, a fitting end to Tim’s Whellock and Keeling’s spell as Exeter Trial organisers. The weather was quite nice and the sections kind, apart from Simms that is, which restricted the number of Premier Awards.
Dave Cook captures Ian Moss on Tillerton in his wonderful Pre War Ford Model Y that has been in the family for many years. Ian had a great trial only failing Simms for a Silver (Picture by Dave Cook)
As competitors converged on Haynes Museum after the night run few knew of the incident on the A303 affecting John Wilton’s Trojan. Sadly Johns passenger was very poorly after the accident and at at the time of writing no more news is available.
With Easter so late this year Clerk of the Course Bill Rosten caught the nice weather for his first event. With only subtle changes the event ran smoothly although enforcement of the timing regulations caught out a few established competitors.
Nigel Hilling paws the air in Stan on the way to the Class Two award (Picture by Dave Cook)
Plusha was definitely the place to start on this years event, with 96 cars, nearly two thirds of the entry, choosing the first starting point, many of the more northerly competitors choosing to trailer down to the West Country. It wasn’t long before they were on their way back up the A30 for the night run to the Bridgwater accumulation control where Dean Vowden lost his Class Six award when he was penalised for late arrival.
Penalties at Felons Oak and Crook Horn
The first section was the familiar Felons Oak, a nice opener, but the last section on this years event for the venerable Courtney Yandle, who retired his Class Six Beetle after stopping here.
The Crook Horn Special Test was very disappointing for John Wilton in, or should I say on, his Trojan, penalised ORL and loosing his Gold. No such mistake by Nigel Hilling who went on to the Class Two Award, returning to trials after a years enforced break in his 100E engined upright Ford Anglia. Roger Vanstone (Suzuki X90) was another to loose his Gold here. A couple of competitors were penalised for stopping at the flying finish line, including the father and son duo of Peter and James Mountain in their Mk1 Dellow.
Time Issues at Barbrook
A trip over the wilds of Exmoor preceded a holding control at County Gate to regulate arrival at Barbrook where there was a penalty for early arrival. A number of competitors fell foul of this, including Lee Peck in his his Kracken. This was unfortunate as Lee would otherwise have won Gold, which would have been a great ad for the Kracken which he has put into production.
Neither Beggars nor the other sections before the Wilsey Down rest halt caused problems for most although Darracott was cancelled after Ivan Sharrock had the misfortune to turn over in his HRG, the good news was the crew were OK.
Warleggan Restart wasn’t easy
Warleggan came after the break. The higher classes had to restart and this took its toll on the medals, either for not pulling away or in the case of Steve Glasson and Linden Alcock who were penalised for not stopping in their Dellow Mk2’s. None of the three German crews got this far which was a shame considering all the way they had come.
Into Cardinham Woods and Lady Vale which had a restart with a very narrow box, where Paul Brooks lost his gold in his X90. Hoskin was next, in the same complex, with different restarts according to class. These boxes were narrow as well but the marshals must have been lenient as they didn’t record as many fails as was feared.
Bishops Wood
The Bishops Wood test saw Dave Wall loose his gold when he over ran the line as did Trevor Wood in his Suzuki powered Leige.
The Bishops Wood section was just up the track, with a restart after the cross track for the higher clases and just before for the lower category cars. This wasn’t a problem for most but Ian Musgrove in his X90 said goodbye to his gold here. The higher class restart was definitely not Marlin friendly, confirmed by Harry Bounden who lost his gold when he was judged not to have got away.
Blue Hills
Only the two sections at Blue Hills remained where neither Nick Farmer or Neal Vile could cope with the tight corner in their UVA Fugitives, nor could Mike Tucker’s X 90. BH2 had its usual big crowd enjoying the spectacle and saw a handful of competitors loose their golds.
All that remained was the 19 mile run back up the A30 to the finish where a handful of competitors were penalised for late arrival.
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With two sections cancelled, and a returning Litton Slack attempted only by the higher classes, this years Edinburgh was a concentrated affair.
It wasn’t easy though, Excelsior in particular taking its toll on Triples.
Graham Whiting fettling his Skoda at the breakfast halt. Sadly this was to be Grahams last trial as shortly afterwards he lost his brave fight with cancer.
It was a fine night when competitors gathered at Tamworth Motorway Services. There was bad news for those in the main trial who were told Bamford was cancelled due to an exposed electricity cable. This left very few “traditional” hills for those in the lower classes who would not be attempting Litton Slack.
Lost Golds at the Cliff Quarry Deviation
The first challenge came early on at Cliff Quarry, with a restart for everyone. That wasn’t the main problem though, that was a truly horrible deviation for the higher classes. This really challenged their steering lock and such luminary’s as Dean Partington, Nick Farmer, Dudley Sterry and Eric Wall all lost their clean sheets here.
Putwell Repaired
After the Black Harry complex came Putwell. The rumour was that Putwell B had received the attention of the Derbyshire road gang. Putwell A was as rough as ever but Putwell B was a bit different, as smooth as the M1! Never mind a couple of years of water erosion and it will be competitive again.
Litton Slack Only for Some
There were two Litton Slacks in the route card. New Litton Slack for Classes 0 to 5 and old Litton Slack for 6, 7 and 8. The section for the Lower Classes could hardly be described as Litton Slack, its just a smooth grassy track, with very little gradient, running along the top of the valley.
The real Litton Slack was a challenge for the higher classes and nobody in 6 or 7 reached the summit. It was a challenge for Class 8 as well and the experienced Dean Partington, Nick Farmer, Dudley Sterry and Eric Wall were the only drivers to go clean. Unfortunately for this quartet they had all flailed Cliff Quarry.
Slippery Stones
Calton and Excelsior are both traditional hills with re-starts on polished stones for everyone except Class 0. They failed more than 50% each and sadly Nicola Butcher lost her triple on Excelsior when all the class fours except James Arrowsmith and Hans Viertel failed to get away.
Motorcyclists to Hospital
The abbreviated Edinburgh finished with Clough Mine and Dudwood. Neither are “classic” sections and Dudwood was cancelled after two of the motorcyclists hurt themselves and required medical attention .
Class 0 had a very similar trial, minus most of the restarts and a couple of the rougher hills, substituted by some gentler stuff.
Triple for Julian
When the provisional results were published it looked as if there wouldn’t be any triples. However, after some time they were amended with particular reference to Classes seven and eight on Litton Slack which meant Julian Lack was awarded a Triple.
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Cold and Dry Conditions but delays for the later numbers
Despite Easter being early this year the Lands End was run in pleasant conditions. This meant some of the sections were very dry and dusty, even Crackington which wasn’t the same section without the usual doctoring.
Dave Cook pictures Greg Warren on a very unfamiliar un-doctored Crackington.
The restart was in its usual place and the holes were quite deep. There was a lot of grip, perhaps too much for some, and this seemingly innocuous section claimed 38 scalps this year. These included both Steve Potter and John Wilton in their Trojans and the equally experienced Dennis Greenslade (MX5) and Bill Bennett (MG J2).
The section and the rough exit track were too much for Marc Shafer and Tomas Pordzik, who had come across from Bonn in Germany in BMW 318 and Peugeot 305 respectively, and they both retired.
Problems on Beggars
The Crook Horn Special Test was on tarmac with a flying finish. Eventual Best in Class Six Dean Vowden was penalised for over running a line in his Notchback but otherwise this substitute for the nearby section was uneventful for most. It was getting cold now and there was still snow under the hedges on the twisty minor roads leading back to the A39 and a long chilly wait at the Barbrook control.
Beggars Roost has not been very competitive since the restart was dropped, until this year. The big problem was getting away from the start line on some very loose stones. This caused a lot of fails, including Lester Keat and Greg Warren in their class three machines.
Hangmans Hill
With no Rodneys Revenge the inclusion of the real lane at Hangmans Hill was very welcome. New to the Lands End this long section had a restart for all classes. There was more than enough grip in the bone dry conditions so there was little impact on the results. This could have been very different had it been wet. There was more than an hours wait for the later numbers but the queue was in a sunken lane so there was plenty of time to look at the primrose growing in the grassy banks.
Cutliffe Lane and Sutcombe were very Dry
Neither of these well established hills had real teeth list year although Cutliffe Lane took its toll of the less experienced who weren’t going flat out through the gate at the bottom.
Changes on Darracott and Crackington
Both of these famous old hills had their teeth drawn this year. Darracott had the section ends before starting the famous hairpins, which were sporting recent concrete repairs. Although competitors still had the enjoyment of the hairpins it wasn’t the same with them being on the exit track.
After the control on the sands at Widemouth Bay Crackington addded to the disappointment Easing off the line down by the ford competitors built their speed to assault the deep ruts in the fresh mud dumped in trailer loads towards the summit. Only this year there was no mud and without this doctoring the hill had no impact on the results. Lets hope the muck returns next year.
Warleggan
The rest halt at the Wilsey Down cattle market was very welcome. Many competitors taking the opportunity to repair the many punctures incurred on the sharp rocks.
Later numbers had a long wait in the sunshine for their attempt at this rocky section. With no restart the lower classes had a relatively trouble free run. Not so for the yellows and reds who had a tricky restart. This took its toll on medal aspirations, particularly in Class six where Harry Butcher was the last to loose his clean sheet and a gold medal.
Cardingham Woods
Entering the woods from the top it was along way down to the first section, Lady Vale, the only section shared with Class 0. This is a very artificial affair, all about a tight restart, marked out with tape. It always seems a shame that something a bit more natural can’t be found in this complex.
Following the track along the river came Hoskin. Long and steep with different restarts for the lower and higher classes. Most found the necessary grip but the section is a power sapper and many of the cars with a low power to weight ratio failed. This was a particular issue in Class 2 where the gradient proved to much for the Trojans of Steve Potter and John Wilton and Nigel Hilling’s 1171 Anglia.
Bishopwood
Later runners slipped further behind schedule in a long queue on the A30 which was closed near Bodmin. Arriving at the woods the special test came first. Not too much of a problem unless you were Greg Warren who was penalised for over running the line.
The following section is all about the restarts where it crossed the main track. The higher classes had to stop in their usual place, on cobbles, after the cross track. The Blues and Whites had theirs lower down on a loose surface, leading up to the cross track. Positioning was everything and it was essential to stop low down to stand any chance. Many didn’t and paid the price, Alan Selwood, Michael Leete, Paul Allaway and Sam Thompson all loosing their chances of a Gold Medal here. Both of the Trojans failed and one just avoided overturning into the trees.
Blue Hills
Unlike Crackington Blue Hills 1 hadn’t escaped the doctor and there was a veritable lake round the horse-shoe to wet the tyres before the cobbled exit back onto the road. The higher classes had to restart here and this cost Brain Partridge / Lee Peck their Gold Medal in Brians familiar Cannon.
Bluehills 2 may be the MCC’s showcase section but the modifications for this year weren’t universally popular. A vertical stone wall now lines the deviation. This has the benefit of removing the banking, which could act as a launching ramp for spectacular acrobatics However, it has made the track very tight and narrow and a lot of cars scrapped against it, blinded by the setting sun.
Finish and Reflections
There was just a 20 mile run to the finish remaining. Time to reflect on another Lands End. It was surprisingly dry, considering the wet winter. This had made some of the sections easier than usual, compensated by a tricky Beggars and some difficult restarts. The finish at a Brewers Fayre, mixing with families out for lunch, was a questionable finale to an otherwise excellent event. The Lands End isn’t for everyone. Its a trial bigger than the sections and is above all an adventure. A battle of emotional highs and lows, tiredness, fatigue and a feeling of achievement just reaching the finish. Long may it continue.
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Smooth Running Trial, Just the Right Amount of Bite
It had been wet before the event, but was dry on the day, creating ideal conditions. There were some new ideas which worked well, although with some controversy over Run Back penalties on the timed restart. The old favourites were on form. The resurfaced sections at Normans Hump and Simms still took their toll as did a rough Tipley.
Mike Pearson getting out of shape as he fights a loosing battle with the rough steps of Tipley. (Picture by Brian J Rees)
Clerk of the Course Tim Whellock introduced the trial by explaining how he had revised the first part of the route to make the transition down to Bovey Woods more interesting. This started with a Special Test within the Haynes Complex. This went down well, especially with car competitors who had a rare chance to see the motorcyclists in action.
Timed Restart at Windwhistle Hill
A concept not seen for a while. Competitors were stopped on a muddy tarmac road, drove into a restart box then restarted on a light signal and given 10 seconds to clear the section ends board which wasn’t that far away. All should have been well. There were certainly plenty of marshals but the provisional results caused controversy when 25% of the entry were shown with Run Back penalties, including eventual Best in Class 1 award winner James Shallcross.
New Underdown Sections
With Meerhay no longer available it was good to have these new forestry sections near Yarcombe, close to where the A30 joins the A303. Class 0 and the main trial shared the rough downhill approach track. The Class 0 section came first, but proved too difficult for quite a few cars, causing a tailback while they reversed out. Unfortunately this prevented cars in the main trial getting to their section and a big queue built up until the Class 0 section was cancelled. The section proved nowhere near as rough as the entrance track and Bill Bennett (MG J2) was its only notable scalp, although it did prove problematic for quite a few of the Suzuki’s in Class 5
Normans Hump
Back on the agenda after a years absence the area around Normans Hump looked very different after all the logging. The surface of the track had changed as well. It wasn’t as rough and stony but there was a layer of mud to contend with. The restart was limited to Classes 3 and 6, taking its toll of both. In Class 3 only Lester Keat (Avenger) and Neil Bray in his ex Tony Underhill Escort went clear. It was a similar story in Class 6, only three of a sizeable entry reaching the summit with Courtney Yandle (Beetle) and Dean Vowden (VW Notchback) going on for Gold.
Clinton
After an easy run so far Class 8 had to restart on Clinton. Although the logging hadn’t affected the track the restart was still a test for the specials and 50% of them didn’t get away, including Dean Partington, Brian Partridge and all the Dellows apart from Eric Wall.
Waterloo
After last year there had been some improvements to the section and it didn’t have much affect on the results of this years trial. Mind you, there were a few competitors that hadn’t got this far. John Plant’s Golf had lost all its power; Barry Clarke had retired the Grotty Chummy; Tim Smith and Chris Maries were both on their way home after strut problems with their very different Toyotas; Matt & Barry Denny were trying to get back to Popham on the train to collect their trailer and pick up their Fugitive after breaking the diff; Mark Rosten-Edwards had broken his Escorts Gearbox in Bovey Woods; Colin Sumner had fuel feed problems with his Beetle…….
Stretes, Core Hill ST, Bulverton Steep and Breakfast
None of these caused any problems, especially with the restart on Bulverton Steep cancelled, although the trial lost Wheelspin Champion Dean Partington before breakfast.
The Mid Trial break was at Crealey Amusement Park, and most people thought it was a much better venue than Exeter Services. MCC President Jonathan Laver was on hand to talk too as many people as possible. Jonathan had started the event in his MGB but retired when he found a newly fitted axle had far to higher ratio.
Tillerton
Only 7 and 8 had to restart on Tillerton. The section is a bit of a shock to newcomers. It looks horrendously rough over the solid rock. But the rises and falls are not too bad and its possible to get up without risking much damage. The problem was that the rock was pretty greasy and it took a fair toll. Roger Bricknell (Vincent) and Josh Moss (Gregory) both lost their clean sheets on the slippery rock. Other notable Class 8’s to be penalised were Eric and David Wall in their Dellows and Carl Talbot in his Special.
In Class 2 Nigel Hilling lost his clean sheet in his side-valve Ford Anglia but Ben Collings romped up in his wonderful Mercedes although he was to miss the final few hills.
Fingle
Chief Official Jeremy Bennett had moved the section start way down the hill compared to usual. This didn’t have any affect on the results but certainly added to competitors enjoyment.
Wooston Steep
Only Class Eight were allowed to assault the long bank this year. All the others had to turn left before the gradient went up, albeit classes 6 and 7 had to restart.
Only five of the Class 8’s reached their section ends board, including Alex Wheeler in his ex Tony Underhill special with the former owner urging him on from the passenger seat. Alex went on to join Nick Farmer and Mike Chatwin to keep clean sheets amongst the specials.
Simms
After pasties and cake at Ilsington Village hall it was time for Simms. The hill was going to be different as the Torbay lads and the Flay family digger had put in a lot of repair work. This really paid off as they had eliminated the worst of the rough stuff without loosing the hills competitiveness. Experience pays!
It was generally reckoned that conditions became tougher as the day went on and the upper part of the hill became more and more slippery.
Class 1 – James Shallcross made a storming climb, the only FWD to reach section ends. James was one of many to pick up one of the unfortunate RB’s on Underdown and had failed Normans Hump. However, the shape of Class 1 started to change when David Haizelden lost his clean sheet failing Simms.
Class 2 – Nobody got a clean so the hill didn’t count in their results. Unfortunately the many spectators were denied the spectacle of Ben Collings Mercedes as he had driven to the finish after Wooston.
Class 3 – Three of the Front Engined RWD saloons made the climb. No surprises that Lester Keat was one of them in his Avenger, David Millar made it with his Escort but Alan Selwood provided the best spectacle for the many spectators, with flames belching from his BMW Estate.
Class 4 – There was a high success rate here, four of the eight survivors going clean with the best performance put up by Nicola Butcher who stormed up late in the gathering gloom when the hill was very slippery.
Class 5 – Only two cleans amongst the sports cars. Phil Tucker in his TR3A and a stormer by Paul Brooks in his Suzuki X90. Simms wasn’t very kind to Mike Warnes who had the prop shaft yoke break on his TR7. Fortunately Mike was carrying a spare and changed it at the bottom of the hill.
Class 6 – I hope Dean Vowden and Alan Treloar don’t mind but the star performance in this class was Courtney Yandle in his Beetle, cleaning Simms and getting a Gold at 85 years young.
Class 7 – 7 and 8 both had a restart but the three cylinder Suzuki engined Lieges of Julian Lack and Mark Endley were up to the challenge, joined only by Nick Gibb’s Marlin
Class 8 – The Specials were up to the challenge of the old hill, most of them storming up and it didn’t seem to matter where you were in the running order in this class.
Tipley
The hill was very rough and slippery this year. With a lot of failures the queue at the preceding Lenda Lane control soon built up. The organisers took the unusual step of persuading competitors who were not on for a medal to miss the hill so that it didn’t have to be cancelled.
Dave Haizelden probably wished he was amongst them as the suspension on his well prepared Golf broke on one of the rough steps and it took a while to get it out of the section. Dave wasn’t the only failure to have problems getting out and its hard to see how Tipley can remain in the event unless things change.
Slippery Sam
The field was very spread out by the time the cars came to Slippery Sam The hill has become very rough at the top and a big problem is looming here. There was plenty of grip however and it was only Class 7 that had a lot of failures, having to re-start along with the Class 8’s.
The End
With some missing Tipley the survivors all made it to The Trecarn in time for the traditional evening meal. The Windwhistle Hill RB issue hadn’t reared its head at this stage and popular opinion was that it was a good event.
The innovations at the start of the event were very welcome and Underdown was a good find. The last few hills became quite challenging for the later runners and Tipley will need some work if its to stay in the event. The organisers had put a lot of work into the event and its clear why The Exeter is so popular.
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Unfortunately a Memorable Event for Rough Sections, PR Issues and Delays.
Rain immediately before the event toughened up a route that had lost many of its traditional sections. This caused delays and some later numbers finished some four hours after scheduled time.
John White negotiating his way over the Putwell Rocks on his way to winning the only MCC Triple of 2012 (Picture by Dave Cook)
It is becoming more and more problematical for the MCC to run a trial in Derbyshire. Haggside and Hucklow have been lost in recent years. Litton Slack is no more and there are doubts about other favourites. As a result the Edinburgh is a very different trial these days, with an increasing number of sections on private land.
Delays in the Night
After a period of dry weather there was rain during Friday night, making some of the sections quite slippery. Car competitors faced immediate delays when an early number had to be extricated from Haven Hill. This caused a delay which built up and an hours worth of cars were soon backed up at Robin Barlows Carrsington Water Holding Control.
Cliff Quarry was next, new to the MCC but well known to VSCC aficionados. Everyone had to do a restart here, including Class 0. The rain had made this much harder than the organisers probably intended and with no recovery possible. The inevitable failures had a long, difficult, reverse back to the road to the head of the long queue that soon stretched back to the nearby village.
Although it wasn’t shown in the route card classes 7 & 8 had a tricky deviation, with a corner that stopped almost everyone, including eventual best in Class 7 Roger Bricknell, making a welcome return in his Vincent. It was possible though, as Nick Farmer proved on his first outing in his Red Top powered Fugitive. There was no deviation for Class 1 but Ian Cundy will remember this section as he lost his Triple here when the engine on his Golf fluffed.
Rileys Rise was a nice section, a bit rough, and maybe not the same track as has been used previously with that name. It was unfortunate that a PR problem developed towards the end when the local farmer arrived, objecting to the track being used as a section. Things were smoothed over by the Bristol club marshalling the hill and lets hope it doesn’t prevent its use in the future.
Into the Quarry
The Quarry complex was uneventful, apart from those that got soaked in the water at the end of the Special test!
Putwell was just down the road and although not in the quarry it was certainly rough enough. After another long wait car drivers found that Putwell A was full of loose rocks and those with limited ground clearance really suffered This was merely the appetiser for the unbelievably rough Putwell B. Always a rough one it appears that water erosion has made the “valleys” deeper while 4WD drive traffic hasn’t reduced the height of the mountains. While there were some that were OK with the section the majority of car drivers reckoned the section was past its sell by date.
Stuart Harrold was observing driving standards on the exit track and was delighted to report that everyone was behaving.
With all the delays breakfast at Bull I’th Thorn was most welcome, especially the generous portions and friendly service.
Litton wasn’t the Traditional Section
Unfortunately the traditional Litton Slack isn’t available as a section but one was run along the track at the top. With it being so wet the restart was cancelled but it was still necessary to use considerable throttle control in the mud.
Bamford on Form
The wet conditions made Bamfords infamous steps very slippery this year and there were numerous failures. It certainly wasn’t very friendly to Class 5 where the Suzuki X90’s all struggled for grip. Paul Clay was on form in his Ford 10 powered Austin Seven Special, clearing the section on his way to being best in Class 5. The inevitable Bamford delays were exasperated by non-competing traffic and Dudley Sterry received a baulk.
Tricky Restart at Calton
This is of those sections that looks so innocuous from the start line. Twenty years ago it was deep ruts that were the problem. Then they were filled in and it became an easy section for a while. Now everyone except Class 0 has a restart on polished stones and this year the damp made the limestone really slippery. Sadly this cost Dick Bolt his triple when the Cornishman couldn’t stop the back wheels spinning. His only hope was for none of the class to go clean but unfortunately for Dick both Lester Keat in his Avenger and Edward Broom in his Escort got away. This left only John White on for a Triple this year.
Running late at Hollinsclough
By now the delays had spread the field out and cars were arriving in dribs and drabs. This had one benefit as the parking field was out of use as it was too muddy and cars had to park on the limited space on the road.
Rakes Head was a few yards up the road. It isn’t very long but this is a nice little section attempted by everyone apart from Class 0 with a restart for everyone. This took its toll of the lower classes but it also defeated Nick Farmer and Duncan Stephens in Nicks new Fugitive.
Excelsior came next, with a restart scheduled on the slippery cobbles. This proved very tricky and after numerous failures it was cancelled.
Cancelled Clough
Heading East towards Darley Dale there were two sections on the Routecard. One on private Land at Clough Mine and the traditional Clough Wood track.
The Clough Mine section was a very muddy, rutted track, quite long and straight. Ground clearance was the big problem. Classes 6, 7 and 8 had a restart as well. None of the 6’s and 7’s got away, nullifying things for them. It was pretty difficult for Class 8 as well, but it was possible. Local men Dean Partington and Liam Rafferty got away in their Dean constructed cars, joined by veterans Dudley Sterry and Eric Wall.
With a restart for all, delays soon built up on the nearby Clough Wood and Chief Official decided he had to cancel the section.
Quagmire at Dudwood.
The final action was scheduled at Dudwood Farm, with different sections for Class 0 and the main trial. Everything was very muddy and the special test had to be cancelled. The main trial had to tackle the quagmire at Dudwood 2. It looked impossible and it was, for all but one man, Dean Partington, who powered his way to the summit.
Fortunately for John White he was joined by everyone else in class 4 in not getting up this last hill, earning him the one and only Triple for 2012.
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With Easter being so late, and all the dry weather, it was a very different Lands End. Perhaps the hills lost their competitive edge but the nice weather made it a super event. As it happened some of the later hills took their toll on clean sheets and Bishops Wood and Blue Hills 2 reduced the medal count. Although competitors on MCC events compete against the club rather than each other winners are declared on the basis of Special Test Times and the seemingly invincible Nick Farmer won the Field Trophy.
With glorious weather and a short night because Easter was so late it was a different sort of Lands End Trial this year. Competitors enjoyed the nice weather and relaxed atmosphere which more than made up for some of the hills not being competitive as they were so dry.
There were some toughies though. Crackington had been well and truly doctored, with at least three trailer loads of very sticky clay. This took its toll and Tris White in his Troll was one of many to miss a gold in the clag. Tris had also been shown as failing Hoskin in the provisional results but this was amended in the finals along with several others.
Bishops Wood is normally an innocuous hill for the lower classes. However, this year they had a fearsome restart on the bank up to the cross track. Even classes 1 and 2 had to attempt this. Only one car in Class 1 was successful and unsurprisingly this was David Haizelden in his familiar VW Golf. The failures and the hill being shared with Class 0 caused considerable delays here, especially as it proved far to challenging for the majority of the motorcycles.
Hoskin was another section to have a restart for the lower classes this year. Although it was on quite a slope there was grip and most succeeded. Not so local man Hans Viertel who lost his gold here in front of his Camel Vale club mates.
There was a big crowd on Bluehills for the finale. Many competitors feel Blue Hills 2 has been spoilt by the maniac JCB driver as the turn into the deviation is ridiculously tight. many got round although some needed to go up the bank to do it. Matt Denny found it far to much for his Fugitive and lost his gold here.
All in all a very enjoyable trial though. Long may we continue to have such a wonderful way to spend Easter.
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Although it was a wet night the sections themselves didn’t present to many problems to most competitors. That was to change after breakfast. Both Wooston Steep and Simms cutting the medal count. It was Class 5 that scooped the pool when it came to golds. As none of them went clear on Simms it didn’t count in their results.
The sections didn’t trouble too many people during the wet night, although Simon Woodall might not agree after being penalised for running back on Clinton. Come the next morning things got tougher and Woosten Steep and Simms combined to reduce the medal count.
As usual classes 7 & 8 had to tackle the full hill at Wooston after a very muddy restart. This made for a difficult challenge, especially for the early numbers and very few made the summit.
Simms was next and the old hill was on form this year and less than 20 cars crested the summit although there were some spectacular attempts and broken machinery. Simon Groves gave a spirited performance before the bottom pulley cried enough and disintegrated, much to the relief of bouncer Tony Underhill who was suffering from all the tyre smoke! Brian Alexander was another who came to grief when the diff failed on his Suzuki X90.
Things were running a bit late when the later numbers got to Slippery Sam and found the marshals had gone. However, the MCC credited them with a clean so it didn’t adversely affect their results.
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Our sixth venture into Class 0 with the MCC. This time we were in our new toy, an Eagle RV
Caire Oakes Reports
Keith and Claire tackle Sandy Lane in their Eagle RV (Picture by Dave Cook)
The daylight Class 0 sections from Chris Bonnetts Salamander Sports
It is our sixth classic event in M.C.C “O” class. First time in “O” class was 2009 Exeter (2010 cancelled ) in the Dutton Phaeton, which was a delightful “O” class trial. We had a new toy for the Edinburgh“O” 2010, an Eagle RV Kit, which left me feeling deflated for a long time after the event. To many negative reasons to write about 2010 Edinburgh, but I think, one were in with-draw-al for the “Green Goddess” and class 7, but we were glad to be in the Eagle on our journey in a constant down pour travelling back home the next day. So, when Exeter was drawing closer I wasn’t getting any build up of emotions, excitement and anticipation the sort you get as a child when Christmas eve had finally arrived. Sad I know, but that’s how it feels for me when D-Day approaches for trailing. Each to their own enjoyment in life.
Departed with an open mind from “Oakes Castle” at 20-00hrs prompt and returned by 20-10hrs to collect documents that are needed for signing on! Perfect evening drive via A45—A46—A429 to Cirencester and finding a petrol station on route selling at £1.24 and without having to follow the main trail route from Cirencester we arrived at Haynes Car Museum at approx 23-30. We timed it right to join the queue of only five in front of us for scrutinising and about the same number of competitors queuing for food. Its a nightmare at Haynes for the main trailers when they all start pile-ling in to queue for refreshments. The congestion, the heat due to layers of clothes…….the prices. Back to the Eagle for some “shut eye” for 45 mins and I had no problems nodding off with the click-clicking of the flag pole wire on the pole. Folks will have to listen to Michael Leetes’ video to know what I am writing about. Its mind over matter and I haven’t got a mind, so it doesn’t matter! As I’m dozing it starts to rain and the pitter-patter on the roof of the Eagle sends me soon asleep.
Refreshed, our trial starts at 01-14. Verdun Webley with Arnold Lane 513 in a Ranger, are fellow compatriots in the Falcon Club and they are the car in front of us. Verdun told Keith he was stopping to get petrol at Sparkford Services and for us to go on. We took great glee in telling him of our pit stop earlier. Verdun must have gone back to Milton Keynes for his fuel as we didn’t see him again until Exeter Services. We found out later that he had to queue for fuel plus payment and this does eat into the travel time, though ample time is allotted for this. Just over a gentle forty mile drive to Musbury Control, a delicious coffee was made for me by the very helpful and friendly garage staff. Having grey hair and a face that looks like a pair of old gym plimsolls with a vacant expression, I think the staff wasn’t taking a chance, in case I broke their brand new machine and did it for me. I don’t blame them, as I’m renowned for putting a voodoo on anything electric. Two miles from control to our first section Emmettes Lane and we don’t know why we were the first car. We didn’t inflate our tyres after each section as this saves time but we were also relieved that a travelling marshall 526 Brian Osborn with John Fry in a MGB Roadster were behind us, to be our witness that we were not speeding to each section. Brian told Keith that the Eagles` near side front light had gone and this gave me an insight what it must be like for a motorcycle with their single illumination climbing a section.
From section one to Exeter Services we did seven section and one special test in a total distance of forty six miles all in the dark ……brilliant. At the top of Sandy Lane Section 6, we saw Dave Cook (photographer) who looked surprised to see competitors so early and quickly swung into action and started taking pictures. As soon as we got to Sidmouth, Keith parked at the Esplanade to replace the bulb. We just trundled our way to every hill, which suited us and still no other cars in front and a void of twelve behind back to Brian and John. It was just us two competitors and an official travelling behind Brian in a Dellow blowing steam all the way to the start of day light at M5 Services….where was everybody? As we had to leave Exeter at our scheduled time, Verdun was back in the pack. Just Verdun, Keith and Brian and still no other competitors, where were they? The trial began to feel like our own private event with a few motorcycles from the main trial. Later that afternoon Verduns` Ranger started with a high pitched scream from under its bonnet, followed by steam exiting every orifice of the Ranger. The marshall said to him “when you’ve made the tea, mine has two sugars”. Electric hiccups (and I hadn’t been near it to put a spell on it) other minor mechanical gremlins plagued the car, but they managed to get to do all hills and finish.
Windout Section 8: We descend a steep track to a stream, which we had to cross. With the melted snow and the strong blustery gale we had in the night, the stream was now a small fast flowing river. Once again I was glad to be in the Eagle as I think if we were in the Phaeton I’m sure we would had water inside the cockpit. I would like to know how the new comers coped here.
More water driving at Fingle Bridge. We pass the bottom of Fingle Hill and follow the now swift white water River Teign to drive over a waterfall that is rushing down the hill-side to cross our track, and as it spills into the river it takes more embankment with it, thus narrowing the track to Hitchcombe Section 9: Hope later competitors got through ok.
Here were family members Allan and Pru, who cheered us on our way to the top. Unfortunately I don’t think Brain cleared the section, but results will tell when published.
Once again a warm welcome at Ilsington Village Hall by the locals who provided very appreciated home made food. After five weeks, no biscuits, sweets, slabs of chocolates, cakes, trifles, Christmas cake, puddings of any description, of life’s little essentials had not passed my lips, I thought now was the time for a reward…..and yes I did enjoy the large slice of lemon drizzle cake…..yummy. The local school had put on an art display of cars and motorcycles and left a comment book for the competitors to leave their remarks.
That was appreciated too by the trialers.
Penhales Plantation Section 11: This is the escape route for the main trial failures. With all the wet draining from Simms onto Penhales, a torrent was flowing rapidly down the approach to class “O” re-start. The Eagle dug her talons in to get traction to claw her way up to the box and she pulled away cleanly. After driving through rain and rivers the Eagle was still reasonably clean, and as we tootled to “O”s last section towards Teignmouth, to cross over the River Teign, I knew then that we were not going to get away scot-free and stay clean. We had entered red soil country! French’s Section 12: When we arrived I thought there had been a bank robbery as people scurried and climbed into the back of a 4x 4 and drove off lickety-split up the section! Yes, we had arrived before the marshalls were in place. Jovial laughter all round, then behold, the first two motorcycles in “O” class arrived…hurray, at last they made it! A new hill and a concrete drain to drive over (the same as those in Lenda lane) on a sharp left hand ascending bend to negotiate over rounded rocks. At least they weren’t the sharks teeth of Great Hucklow! These were capped!! Again I wondered here how newcomers coped.
We think we cleared all and after a soak in the tub at The Trecarn, and sorry it was I who wanted to eat out for a change. Allan and Pru did a reconnaissance in Babbacombe for a eatery in the afternoon and in the evening they took us to a quite Bistro they found and I gorged myself on a lovely fillet steak and trimmings. Then back to the hotel to join in with the throng of competitors to hear their highs and lows of the trial. I’m glad to say that Exeter was a enormous big high for me, roll on Lands End. As I’m getting older and the bones cant take the punishment, the drive home in the Eagle with a roof is quicker than the Phaeton, so I’m not so knackered after event, but there’s something about trialling in a open car!
I think I’m correct, but not a 100% sure that there is talk of a three-wheeler competitor who is thinking about not competing any-more in the three-wheeler, for causing holds ups on sections and embarrassments. I hope not, he has every right to compete and not to feel embarrassed if he feels trialers are getting impatience. Its nice to have nostalgic beautiful Shetland pony with all its charisma and appeal and to remind us of what this event is all about. Not every-body wants to see a thoroughbred stallion charging up sections all guns blazing. It takes all sorts of ingredients to make a good cake, not just best butter on its own. The pot here is calling the kettle black, for I have done many events in class 7. Those who know me have heard me screaming at the Green Goddess “ Come on baby!” I want so much to get to the top, but not to the extent of churning up the hill (others have to follow) sitting in a plume acrid smoke. As a navigator, if we get to sign off I’m very happy with my cardboard certificate, to state I was there and I did it. More talk at the finish that a large number in “O” class didn’t sign off, but at this moment in time until results are announced, I don’t know how many signed on.
To give you some idea of “O” class, enter, MCC Exeter Trial 2011 Class “O” on You Tube an excellent 12mins video. 2.35 into the film you will see the water following across the track at Fingle on their way to Hitchcombe, 7.40 the water coming down Penhales Plantation and 10.35 the concrete drain at French’s and their rocky ride to section ends. This is how I like trailing to be…..driving up sections (preferably with-out re-starts). This competitor drove the sections with respect for the hill, no bumping and goring, not going up the hills like a bat out of hell in clouds of burning rubber with his adrenalin so high, that wax pops out of his ears. Driver and passenger absorbing the beauty all round them as they drove at a sensible speed from Fingle car park along the long river bank to Hitchcombe. Is this why more cars are entering “O” class, as we want to do it more sedately to drive up the sections, and will it be spoilt by putting in a bucket full of re-starts?
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
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Classical Gas 