Tag: Adrian Wade

Taw & Torridge 2025

Wins for Adrian Wade and Andrew Rippon

Andrew Rippon was best car on this years Taw & Torridge. Photo by Norton Selwood

The 2025 trial began at the Closely Visitor Centre after the summer break.  While the morning was initially damp and deceptive for some, the weather quickly deteriorated into torrential rain presenting a challenging environment for both competitors and marshals.  Competitors took refuge at the Blackberry Farm Shop and café for a lunch break during the downpour.

Some notes from the sections.

Lynches 1-4: These sections involved muddy grass tracks and steep climbs. Many competitors reportedly went the wrong way on Lynches 3, following an older line from previous years.

Rat Wood: Featured a special test and observed sections that involved navigating ditches and steep banks. Some drivers car drivers found the special test here quite demanding.

Hembury Castle was cancelled for safety reasons after cars experienced rather to much sliding on the descent due to the conditions. Adrians Aisle was also cancelled after recovery issues.

Linton Field was particularly difficult due to the rain running down it “like a river”; only a few drivers, including Andrew Rippon and Paul Merson, managed to clear it.

Cutliffe Lane: The final section of the day, provided a nice finish on a traditional hill.

Competition and Results

The event saw several mechanical failures, including Arron Haizelden, who retired early with a broken CV joint and window. Andrew Rippon, driving a Beetle, was the overall car winner of the trial. Adrian Wade was best Motorcycle.

Other notable winners included:

Class Winners: James Shallcross (Class 1), Matt Facey (Class 3), Ryan Tonkin (Class 4), Dave Haizelden (Class 5), John Early (Class 7), and Keelan Hancock (Class 8).

Best Bike Team: Team Woodbine (Mark Wills, Dave Hewlett, and Simon Fillan).

Sidecar Winners: The Sewards.

Penhale Cup winner for Best Car. Andrew Rippon on Lynches 4 in this Norton Selwood Video

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Tarqa had a Wet Start

Premier awards went to Steve Urell, Adrian Wade and Paul Merson.

1809Tarqa
Richard Dunning pictured by Chris Barham

North Devon MC’s Tarqa Trial was an ACTC Championship qualifier for motorcycles only but attracted a disappointing entry of 34. This comprised four outfits, sixteen solos and thirteen cars.

The route was sensitive to the needs of the different categories. There was a total of 22 sections and included six solo only sections. There were also two unique to the three and four wheel brigade, including Riverton, well known to Lands End competitors.

Adrian Wade was best solo, dropping 12 marks, two better than John Lukett. David White also only dropped 12 but competing in Class X wasn’t eligible for best overall.

There were four outfits taking part. Steve Urell claimed premier outfit but both Geoff Westcott and Richard Maddern retired.

On four wheels Paul Merton was a familiar winner in his special followed by Ray Ferguson in Class Seven.

Chris Barham Reports:-

Over all a really good day. Wet start but sunny finish. Fantastic days sport with so many varied sections. From slippery field hill climbs, Classic sections and rocky lanes. Road miles minimal with plenty of green lanes mixed in.

From a bikers side the easiest section near the end caught so many points it was funny as. and that was the atmosphere through out the day, plenty of laughs and good will.

Many competitors will know the work that goes into a trial, weeks of route planning, official paper work with ACU, MSA, highways department ,private land owners and residents on route. Hedge cutting and section clearing. All of which is appreciated on the day but why are we not getting the numbers? The future of The Tarka is in jeopardy! Which is a real shame.

Ride with Martin Keswick and Josh Cook

Results and more stuff to come

Comments, Corrections, Criticism & Concerns are all welcome:-