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