This was an event I had heard so many good reports about and wanted to have a try for myself. Having competed in 3 previous Ebworth Trials (also organised by the Stroud & District Motor Club) I was reckoning on this providing all the thrills and enjoyment of an MCC classic trial but without the excessive road mileage.
The choice of a passenger was quickly solved by my sister in law, Jane, who had been nagging me to take her trialling for the past 5 years. Being almost the last to start, took some of the pressure off driving to Stroud from Buckinghamshire in 1 and 1/2 hours, which helped as I hadn’t got bed until 1.30am the previous night.
I am never very good at remembering the individual sections, but several things stuck in my mind: · The scenery was spectacular and the route took us to some idyllic out of the way places, with challenging sections to climb · Most of the sections were a good test of skill but were very rough. We managed to clean just 2 and each one reminded me that I must adjust the torsion bars give my poor Marlin some additional ground clearance! · Falcon members were everywhere, which is good for having a friendly face to talk to, but means that your failures (my failures) were witnessed immediately and at first hand. · Jane enjoyed herself, but I failed to give her proper pre event training. Her solution when we failed to get off a restart was to sit and roar with laughter. I don’t claim to be an expert triallist ( I’ve only been doing it for 5 years) but I’ve never yet seen anyone laugh themselves to the top of a hill!
With 2 sections to go before the end, we decided to quit while the Marlin was still in one piece. Just at that moment as the daylight was failing completely, we stumbled upon another competitor who had broken down. A yellow and blue Imp had broken its sump and needing towing to the finish. We acted as good Samaritans and learnt during those last few miles that the car had not been fitted with a sump guard! Those Stroud Motor Club folk are renowned for their hardiness but remembering the sorts of terrain we had just encountered, the lack of undercar protection was asking too much.
As we got to the finish so the weather changed into a steady downpour, perfect for cleaning the mud off during the drive home.
On reflection, a tremendous day, I can’t wait to do it again, but I must get some narrower wheels, more ballast and a big dollop of extra skill.
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