You have stumbled on a delightful box of tricks, Classic Trials & other perverse stuff from Michael Leete. MCC ACTC and other trials. VW Beetles, Dellows, Marlins, or even Suzuki X90's
Rally Driver, Trials Competitor and Organiser, John passed away on 20 May after a short illness. He was 79 years old.
A Motoring Tribute by Michael Leete.
John at the start of the 2000 Allen Trial in his Westfield
I first met JP around 1970 at a Sporting Owner Drivers Club Trial at Brickhill, although I only really got to know him in the mid 80’s when I returned from my time living in the North East. He was a keen member of the Dunstable based Sporting Owner Drivers Club, joining neighbouring Falcon when the SOD’s disbanded and I spent many happy hours listening to tales of his motoring exploits at club nights. My favourite was when he visited the TT and Florian Camathias needed a passenger for a couple of laps in practice. Ever the adventurer it was JP that stepped forward. Continue reading “John Parsons”
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Organised by the Pendennis Motorcycle Club The Flora Trial, starting in Redruth, must be the most westerly event on the calendar.
Keith Sanders was best car, dropping six marks, one better than Clive Kalber in his Dutton Melos. The result came down to the wire though. Clive was leading when he dropped two at the last section at Lanner Green which Keith cleaned.
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The single venue event in Bonyalva Woods was a trial of two halves, dry in the morning and wet in the afternoon. It soon turned into a Class Eight battle between Simon and Paul Merson who were level until midway through the morning when Paul dropped four on Bonyalva Rise where Simon went clear and slowly increased his lead as the day went on, finishing on 19 compared to Pauls 27.
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Peter Browne captures Adam climbing Laneskin on his Yamaha XT
As a biker, one of the most talked about aspects of the any LDT is the weather and so I have to start there.
What absolutely perfect weather we had for the Lands End trial this year. Not a drop of rain and temperatures barely even down to 10 degrees C during the night, over Exmoor! For the first time ever I didn’t get cold! Chilly, but not cold. And staying dry the whole time was a revelation.
So, for the sections (the second most talked about aspect)
The dryness (back to the weather, sorry!) meant that there was plenty of grip almost everywhere this year, aside from the suspiciously wet and claggy Crackington… This was to be the only section that tripped me up this year, although that was more from sliding side to side than lack of grip. Duncan Stephens caught a great photo of where it all went wrong for me.
The organisers gave us class B participants a very nice surprise at Bishops Wood this year
Our restart wasn’t on the dreaded slab. If they could repeat this next year, when it’s bound to be wet and slippery, that would be appreciated.
As for timings
We kept finding ourselves ahead of time this year, but that was a bonus at the end given we started almost 2 hours behind bike number 1 and were wanting to get home (it’s a long event to endure no matter how you look at it). Not being able to hand your control card in early at Wisley Down is a slight irritation – is that designed to stop you having a nice long nap if you get there ahead of schedule?!
As always, huge thanks to everyone involved in putting on this event.
Your time and effort is very much appreciated.
Adam Walter – 113
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Organisers David Haizelden and Keith Sanders believe in tough trials and maintained their reputation with another well supported event. Their handicapping worked out well with the top ten cars coming from five different classes. Clive Kalber, out in his Dutton Melos, came close to challenging Simon Groves overall win. However, Clive dropped two extra marks on the muddy Upper Kingswell making a total of three for the event where Simon went clear.
With the first three cars in the Clubmans Category it was Aaron Haizelden who claimed maximum Wheelspin points in fourth place overall on 11 marks.
Tristan Barnicoat was the best Solo with a five point margin over John Luckett. The leading outfits were close all day with Alan Wear coming out on top by one mark.
A well known competitor, Murray passed away on 13 March
A tribute by Pete Hart
One of Murray’s great loves was motorsport he raced, sprinted , hillclimbed even the odd PCT in his beloved Morgan +4, before starting his Classic Trialling career in the early eighties.
Frustrated that a sprint had been cancelled due to rain after he and his great friend David Parker had interrupted a holiday in North Wales to travel to Wiltshire for the event. They adjourned to a nearby Pub and decided to give Classic Trials a go, as at least they wouldn’t be cancelled so easily!! Firstly in the Morgan, mostly on MCC events.
Pete first met Murray a few years later, In the holding control for Darracott on the Lands End in 1989. Murray was in the Morgan and his passenger was David Parker. Dave had just bought a Marlin and came up the queue with Murray for a chat. Luckily the delay was a long one and that chat turned into a long term friendship. Murray’s Morgan which premiered his unique paint scheme, affectionately known as the Murray Mint special, had by this time a somewhat, “tired” chassis. He announced that he would compete in the Edinburgh and then change the chassis in time for the Exeter. He did it but the paint was still wet when they set of for the start. Shortly after it was badly damaged in a fire and the proper rebuild that followed marked the end of its serious trials life, although I believe it did once see the Hills in class 0.
His mums old Morris 1000 was then put to the hills and a few one day events were added to his calendar.A brief spell in a Volvo 343 and then in 2003 the Marlin that Dave had bought, found it’s way into the Montgomery-Smith garage. A Fiat twin cam engine was fitted and of course the infamous paint scheme was completed in 2005. Murray loved competing and always enjoyed events whatever the result. He had the knack of performing the perfect climb at the most unexpected moment.His last section was to be Dudwood on the Edinburgh 2018 and I am delighted that he got to see the top for the first time.
A GreatCharacter and True friend.
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Stephen Kingstone choose four wheels rather than his Matchless but still chose to run with the hood down! Steve finished second overall in the Car Category (Photo by Alistair Knox)
Unfortunately this years ACTC Championship Status didn’t result in an increase in visitors to the Middle England Classic Vehicle Club’s event. Neverless it was enjoyed by those who did attend despite a sprinkling of snow too spice things up.
In the cars Dean Partington came one short of a clean sheet, followed by Stephen Kingstone in his Midget.
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Camel Vale Motor Club attracted a good entry of Motorcycles and Cars for their single venue Classic Trial in Dunmere Woods. Known for being a demanding event this years trial didn’t disappoint. Continue reading “Camel Heights”
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Matt Facey powers his BMW out of the hole on Sandale, the Northern Trials feature section. Photo by Dave Cook.
Fellside Auto Club arranged for the sun to shine on and around Wigton and Bassenthwaite Lake for their Northern Trial. Kathy Martin travelled up from the South West to dominate and win the Motorcycle category with the only clean sheet.
In the cars Dean Partington and Stuart Bartlett had a day long Class Eight battle and maintained their clean sheets all day, the overall win going to Dean on test times. Continue reading “Balmy day for Northern Trial”
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Classical Gas 