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Kathy Martin Dominates Motorcycles
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”
Rare overall win for a Class 2 Car
It looked like a Class 2 win more or less from the start of the event when Bill Bennett was the only car to clean the slippery Telfs Challenge. The overall win slipped away from him when he was penalised on one of the Special Tests and then dropped a nine on the appropriately named Big Cockup! This left the field clear for fellow Class 2 competitor David Read in his Austin Seven who finished his trial with a smooth climb of Sandale.
Nicola Butcher was second overall in her familiar Class 4 Beetle and Mark Smith third in his similar Class Six machine. There were only a couple of retirements. Kieran Bartlett whose clutch failed on his Cannon after only a couple of hills. Hal Branson got a bit further but was troubled by a grumble from his new prop shaft and a gremlin with the Marlins electronic wizardry that prevented the car from idling. Continue reading “Northern Trial”
It was a Wasp one-two at Fellside AC’s Northern Trial on 21 February. Both Dean Partington and Mike Chatwin finished with five marks, victory going to Dean on test times.
As Myke Pocock would say it was a very clarty Northern Trial this year. The rain generated a lot of mud but it didn’t stop this being a low scoring trial with the leading competitors dropping very few marks.
Dean Partington won the Northern Trial with the only clean sheet. Fellow DP Wasp driver Mike Chatwin wasn’t far behind, dropping a solitary mark. Duncan Stephens was third in his Melos.
The Fellside club organised some challenging weather for their annual trip to the forests around Bassenthwaite Lake. The early morning rain turned to sunshine, but snow started falling around noon, followed by hail. This caused problems on some of the sections and Routens Romp had to be cancelled when it became difficult to get to the start. Some of the later numbers either called it a day or missed some sections after this. All this didn’t prevent plenty of smiles at the finish after what most reckoned was a grand event.
Wallowing in the slime at Allhallows Colliery
The rain was pouring down as the early numbers left the start at the “Stocksman”, clearing as they reached the first section and special test at Allhallows Colliery. This was an artificial affair, up and down some very slimy spoil heaps, with some tight corners thrown in. The right right hander after the start was to catch out the majority of the field, who understeered off for a ten. There were only six clears, Bill Bennett joining in with a select group of 7 & 8’s . Nigel Jones had problems when the rivets holding his sumpguard in place sheared and he needed to raid Colin Perryman and Michael Leete’s spares to find some replacement bolts.
Delays at The Black Hole
There was a 15 mile run to The Black Hole, the first of many forestry sections. This is a lovely hill, pretty much straight up, muddy on the lower reaches with some serious ruts where the gradient steepens in the 7 & 8 restart area. The only problem with the section is that even the cleans have to back down, with the inevitable delays. Around half the entry failed this one, mainly in the restart area. Colin Perryman’s trial came to an end hear when his BMW transmission went clunk and had quite a struggle to get recovered back to his trailer.
Snow in Whinlatter Forest
The sections came thick and fast when the event entered Whinlatter Forest. “I’m Back Darling” was a wonderful long hill. The first part was loose stones, the second loose rock! This was the end of Nigel Jones Trial as the MGF’s sump guard got pushed up onto the gearbox linkage. Nigel managed to get it going but retired after the next hill.
After Sheepfold there was a long drive through the forest. The track climbed and climbed, with magnificent views over Bassenthwaite Lake before it started snowing! Lord’s Seat was a grassy forest track with a sting in the tail, a very sharp left hand hairpin, preceded by a restart for 7 & 8. This really sorted out the higher classes, only the DP Wasps, Charles Knifton in his recently acquired, Subaru 1800 Turbo powered, VW Scorpion and Duncan Stephens in his Melos going clear.
The snow had stopped coming down out of the clouds to Ullister Hill where it was replaced by hail! This was cleanable but the final bit was a bit artificial and it was difficult to get past the one marker. Quite a few did, but not Mike Chatwin and the one mark he lost was to give the overall trial win to car builder Dean Partington.
Across the road to Hobcarton Plantation
There were two sections in the adjacent forest. Long Crag was a straight blast which didn’t trouble the leading contenders. Ladyside was a very different hill, not much gradient but some fearsome mud and ruts after the track came out between the trees. There was only one way to go clear here and that’s to drive a DP Wasp, consequently Dean Partington and Mike Chatwin were the only two to experience the exit track.
Problems in Wythop Woods
There should have been five sections in Wythop Woods but there were problems at Routen Romp. The plan was for this to be one of the events stoppers but there was chaos when a lot of cars couldn’t get to the start line. The problem was that the long entrance track was blocked by cars so everyone had to be towed up. The entire field was soon blocking the track and the section had to be cancelled. To get out those in the queue had a half mile reverse before they could turn and go to the next section. In the confusion most of class 0 and one or two of the main trial missed some or all of the sections in Wythop Woods which was a shame.
Falcons Crest and Browns Challenge were both mud baths at the bottom, almost every one floundering for an 11 and 12. Not if you were in a DP Wasp of course and Dean and Mike both blasted through for clears, as did Duncan Stephens on Browns Challenge.
Little Cockup has a real sting in the tail, exiting up a really steep bank. About half those that attempted it went clear though and Myke Pocock in particular was delighted. Chris Maries nearly made it in the heavy Suzuki for a two but this was good enough for him to win Class 5 after Stuart Bartlett was penalised on both special tests and Jonathan Toulmin missedx sections in the woods. Michael Leete choose a really bad line, stopped at the five and reversed into the same tree that he hit a a few years ago!
Louthwaite Side was the final forestry section and Dave Cook was there to take photos on the spectacular rocky hairpin. Fortunately almost everyone was able to go clear and enjoy the long exit track to the tarmac road.
Sandale, What a Hill
It was around 12 miles to Sandale, the best known section on the Northern Trial and what a hill it is. Not that steep but the mud, ruts and spectators make up for it. A northern Crackington if you know what I mean. There is a restart for 7 & 8, right at the muddiest bit where there is a sort of chicane. For the non re-starters the technique is to build your speed on the lower slopes so you are flat out by the time you get to the restart chicane. You will most likely bottom out but with luck you will have enough momentum to slide over the mud on the cars belly and pop out the top like a cork from a bottle!
Thats the theory but its not that easy and even the experienced Bill Bennett failed, perhaps aided by the fact the track of his MG is so narrow it doesn’t fit in the ruts! Perhaps Bill needs DAF as the results show Derek Reynolds cleared the section and that would have raised a cheer! For the restarts it was a question of power, something a Liege doesn’t have that much of, but despite picking up a three here Kevin Barnes was able to win the Class 7 award.
A new section at Carlislegate Lane
John & June Blakley and Alex were here and had a long day as the field was well spread out by the time they got here. There were only a couple of failures on this long muddy track but its a very nice addition to the route as it had a different character to the many forest sections.
Nice Meal at the Finish
There was a super autocross style Special Test on the way back to the finish where a super meal was available. There were many tales to tell but the consensus was that it had been a cracking trial, despite the problems and delays.
| Class | Driver/Car | Marks |
| 1st Overall | Dean Partington (DP Wasp) | 0 |
| 2nd | Mike Chatwin (DP Wasp) | 1 |
| 3rd | Duncan Stephens (Dutton Melos) | 9 |
| 0 | Keith Thomas (Buckler) | 64 |
| 1 | James Shallcross (Peugeot 205) | 34 |
| 2 | Bill Bennett (MG J2) | 26 |
| 3 | Nigel Hilling (Ford Anglia) | 61 |
| 4 | Michael Leete (VW Beetle) | 36 |
| 5 | Chria Maries (Suzuki X90) | 58 |
| 7 | Kevin Barnes (Liege) | 33 |
| 8 | Charlie Knifton (VW Scorpion) | 31 |
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James Shallcross was best overall, dropping 11 marks in his Class 1 Peugeot 205 on an excellent, but poorly supported, Northern Trial
Despite the wet conditions there was plenty of grip on most of the sections. Fell Side had got their class Handicaps pretty much right, with only two marks separating the first three overall, representing three different classes. Michael Leete made a rare visit to the award winners circle and was second overall, dropping 12 in his familiar Beetle, followed by Nick farmer on 13 in his Cannon Alfa.
The organisers must have been very disappointed to receive only 19 entries in the main car classes, reduced to 17 starters when the field left The Stocksman in Wigton.
Wasteland
The action commenced with Jonathan and Pat Toulmin in charge of the first special test. This was on some wasteland at a venue used for a section called Oblivian on the first Northern Trial. This was immediately followed by a muddy section named A Bolivian. There were no re-starts but the higher classes had a deviation, costing Nick Farmer a valuable mark which would be significant later.
Into The Forest
Section 2 saw the first of many forestry sections, the hallmark of The Northern Trial. Despite the apparent mud on Black Hole there was quite a lot of grip and like many of the sections the ruts were not as deep as in previous years. Steve Kenny was having issues with his Liege and dropped nine before retiring a few sections later with a broken A arm and cracked axle case.
After a seven mile road run the trial entered Whinlater Forest for a concentrated batch of sections, starting with Sheepfold, which saw some high scores. John and June Blakeley were in charge here with John conducting a noise test for good measure. Roger Goldthorpe was best of the Lieges on 11 with both Julian Lack, and the shortly retiring Steve Kenny, loosing a full 12. The hill didn’t seem to suit lower powered cars as although there was plenty of grip there wasn’t a lot of run in to the initial steep slope.
Snow on the Hills
Climbing through the extensive forest, some of the overnight snow remained when cars got to Ullister Hill, to get their picture taken by Dave Cook. There was plenty of grip lower down the stoney track but the section continued when this gave out and it was muddy at the top. Only Dean Partington went clear to be the only car remaining with a clean sheet.
There were some superb views down to Bassenthwaite Lake on the way round the sections in this part of the forest, before the route retraced its steps, going back on the road for a short distance before entering Hobcarton Plantation. Everyone lost marks here but it wasn’t until Ladyside B that Dean Partington lost his clean sheet.
Dean didn’t loose any more marks until the penultimate forest section at Routens Romp, where fell Side had introduced a deviation into the trees for all, preceded by a restart for the higher classes. This was to decide the trial. Like most of the 7’s and 8’s Dean dropped nine here, while the leading (and non-restarting) lower class competitors went clear. As difficult as this section was for the higher classes Nick Farmer proved it was possible and this put him into the overall lead of the trial.
Sandale Decides the Winner
It was fitting that the final section at Sandale decided the winner of The Northern Trial. The higher classes had their usual restart in the mud. None of them could get away, costing Nick 3 marks and dropping him into third place behind James Shallcross and Michael Leete, who had made good consistent climbs all day.
All in all an excellent trial with good sections and plenty of marshals. Lets hope it will be better supported in the future.
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Giles Greenslade wins Northern Trial in his Class Four Beetle
t was Beetles all the way as Nicola Wainwright was second. It was neck and neck when they came to the last section at Sandale, both Giles and Nicola on clean sheets. They both stopped in the ruts at the two marker, victory going to Giles on special test times. It was a tough trial for the higher classes who had to contend with both tough tyre pressure restrictions and some fearsome restarts.
Competitors enjoyed a wonderful day in The Lake District with wonderful weather and fantastic views. Up until the last section at Sandale all the sections were in forestry. However, there were a variety of surfaces to challenge competitors.
Competitors left the well-appointed start in Wigton on a cold, but bright and clear day, for the 16-mile run out to the first forestry section. It was to prove one of the most difficult of the event, needing plenty of ground clearance, and only six cars were to go clear, including both Giles Greenslade and Nicola Wainwright who were to finish first and second overall. Class 8 didn’t feature here, as they had a difficult restart, as they did on most of the remaining sections, along with class seven on some of them. The lower classes were to enjoy a no-restart day!
Come the third section at Falcon’s Crest there were only three clean sheets left, Bill Bennett losing his here and only Adrian Dommett was left to challenge the two Beetles. Adrian’s hopes disappeared at Ladyside, a horrible muddy affair, without much real gradient but a huge lump to surmount. Class eight had an impossible restart just before the hump. However, nobody told Dean Partington and he went clean. So did Sticker Martin (Escort) and Dave Haizelden (Golf GTi) as well as the two battling Beetles.
Some of the morning sections were a little rough, especially Little Cockup which had a fearsome left hand bend with deep ruts. It was possible to approach this at speed. Tony Young went clear but without a skid the front panel of his Beetle acted as a mud plough, pushing it back so he couldn’t open the hood.
The afternoon forestry was higher up the hillside. This meant fantastic views, less mud and more rocks, of the small loose variety. The leading cars went clear on all of them. With a more solid base, the sections weren’t so rutted and ground clearance became less of an issue. There were some issues on the final forestry section at Widow Hause where it was necessary for clears to reverse down. With no real ruts, it was very easy to get sideways and a couple of cars came close to rolling over.
Last on the agenda was Sandale, everyone’s favourite. There was another impossible restart for class eight, with seven having to join in as well. Once again, nobody informed Dean Partington he wasn’t supposed to get away and he went clean, being joined by Mike Chatwin (Troll) and Tristan White (Class 7 Imp).
Although the lower classes didn’t have to restart it was certainly a tough section with the ruts getting deeper and deeper with every passing car. Both Giles and Nicola stopped at the two, to lose their only marks of the day, victory going to Giles on Special test times. Adrian Dommett and Bill Bennett both came out of the top but I am sure they won’t mind me saying that hero status on Sandale 2008 is awarded to Harvey Waters and Dave Millar who dragged their diffs though the clag and Colin Perryman in his BMW, all showing how it could be done in a low slung car.
The day ended for many with a super meal back at the finish where competitors relaxed and told of their enjoyable day. The only cloud was an issue with tyre pressures on Sandale. They weren’t checked and the feeling was this was abused by at least one competitor in class eight. I hope that this didn’t disappoint organisers Martin Willis and Chris Veevers too much and we can all return for another excellent Northern trial next year.
| Best Overall | Giles Greenslade (VW Beetle) | 2 |
| Class Winners | ||
| 1 | David Haizelden (VW Golf GTi) | 14 |
| 2 | Adrian Dommett (Wolseley Hornet) | 7 |
| 3 | Sticker Martin (Ford Escort) | 9 |
| 4 | Nicola Wainwright (VW Beetle) | 2 |
| 5 | Thomas Aldrian (Austin 7) | 30 |
| 7 | Tristan White (Imp) | 17 |
| 8 | Dean Partington (DP Wasp) | 11 |
| 0 | Stuart Lambert (Cannon) | 2 |
| A | Roger Tushingham (Royal Enfield) | 3 |
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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