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This years event eschewed the traditional multi start points and everyone headed for the Bridgwater Rugby Club to do battle with Pete Harts first Lands End Trial.
It’s a dark night with rain falling as John Wheeler snaps the activity at Scruitineering. Outside is Werner Boeykens who came from Belgium in his 2CV. Meanwhile inside the tent Jon Moores gets some admiring attention to his newly built Ford CMR. Warren Blains Midget is on the right. Sadly his trial came to an end at Bluehills. (Photo by John Wheeler)
Felons Oak
Beggars Roost
Oliver Hicks Class 2 Dellow Mk2 waiting for its turn at Beggars Roost at Barbrook. The Dellow Register had five cars on the entry list but unfortunately Tim Pellowe and Steve Lister were non starters.
The historic section was quite smooth the year.
Riverton
It was still dark when later the later numbers came to Riverton. The long track through the woods before the section was very muddy as was the bottom half of the section. The section started downhill and a lot of cars scraped the bottom as they reached the bottom with the restart just in front of them. Fortunately this was restricted to the competitive machinery in B, 7 and 8
The first timed test was only a few hundred yards from the Riverton exit and this was a nice straight forward affair.
Sutcombe
It was light as the tail end of the field descended the picturesque track leading down to the start of Sutcombe.
A trio of Cornish step through riders had slipped back down the field amongst the Class 0 cars after navigation issues during the night. They were still cheerful but planned to drop out after Wilsey Down as some of their bikes were feeling the strain of the rough sections. Along with the Outfits and Adventure bikes they wouldn’t have to restart but the front wheel drive cars did.
Darracott
Steven Price didn’t need the assistance of the recovery tractor. (Photo from a Jane Hunt Vidcap and a bit of ai)
There were no restarts this year but the section has become noticeably rougher with a lot of loose rock on the corners.
There was a different holding control this year. The traditional approach via the site of the old Hobbs Choice Special Test and approach to the XXXX section had gone, replaced by a stop in a lay-by just off the main road. Unfortunately this wasn’t long enough necessitating a second line. Later numbers were waiting more than an our here. Some newer trailers got rather impatient and jumped the queue causing ill feeling amongst those waiting their turn.
Cutliffe Lane
Out on the Hartland Peninsula and restricted to the bikes, 6, 7 and 8 Cutliffe Lane was on form with a Class 8 restart.
Wargery Wood
Those that didnt tackle Cutliffe Lane went veto Wargery Wood, a short section with a restart for all on a righthand bend. At some time this had been tarmac. Overtime most of this has broken up and disappeared but there was a bit remaining on the inside of the bend making quite a step if you cut the corner.
After a long run west down to Bude came the Widemouth Bay control and the spectacular run along the cliff top came Crackington which with very little doctoring this year. The absence of the usual quantity of slime made the section much easier than usual and even the restart for the more capable classes didn’t take the usual toll.
Wilsey Down
Ruses Mill
There was a tarmac timed test in this picturesque location with Class 0 having an observed section as well. Class 0 were running at the back of the field and Edinburgh organiser Mark Gregg decided to call its an day with his Reliant engined Austin Sevens shortly after, feeling under pressure by the ever present course closing car
All competitors in the main trial were scheduled to tackle the two sections at Eddys Branch Line. But on the day only the bikes and classes 7 and 8 amongst the cars had a go as organisers feared last years delays. Competitors were notified by the WhatsApp feed that they were to follow the route card to the section and then follow marshals instructions. As it happened the sections weren’t as difficult for the cars as anticipated although the bikes didn’t find the first section very easy and there were a lot of failures.
Lambriggan
Bike only section between Peranporth and Bluehills
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Luke Evans captures the atmosphere as Mike Tucker tackles Simms in his rather special Morris Minor. The Exeters Signature Hill was on form as usual
After organisational issues last year the 2024 Exeter was in the safe hands of the genial Pete Batty with Pete Hart as Deputy Clerk of the Course. The team were concerned when a severe storm hit the South West a couple of days before the event, but with a bit of work all was well on the day resulting in a very successful event.
Sadly a well known competitor passed away during the event after a medical emergency.
Organiser Dave Middleditch celebrating with Daniel Sauter and his passenger who came all the way from Switzerland to compete and finish the Lands End Trial in their Chevrolet. Sadly things were to turn sour for Dave when the MCC hierarchy informed him they were not happy with the event. Dave explains what happened and provided an update with the Motorsport UK feedback
Dave Middleditch had promised a different Lands End and delivered with more sections than usual, four special tests, a handbrake test and passage checks to ensure competitors followed the correct route.
With no Lands End the MCC ran an Experimental Pop Up Trial on Easter Saturday. For whatever reason it wasn’t well supported but those that participated seemed to have a good time.
Peter Browne rode his modern Triumph Scrambler to Slade Lane to capture Paul Doughty on his Triumph TR5T. More of Peter’s Pop Up Photos Slade Lane and Angel Steps
With no Lands End Trial because of the current Corona Virus Pandemic the MCC decided to run their “Experimental Pop Up Trial” on Easter Saturday during the first weekend Motor Sport was permitted. There were restrictions. In particular the event started at the first sections rather than a refreshment venue and car drivers were not permitted passengers. There was a maximum entry of 80 but the MCC only received 34 entries, running the event after revisiting the minimum number of 40 specified in the ASR’s.
Its summer so things slow up in the Classic Trials world. Time to reflect on the future of the sport. Time for a poll!
Here are the questions. If you are logged in to FB you can click on the links, see the results and comments. If you are a member of the Classic Trials Group you can also still add to them.
The header picture shows Stuart Roache’s HRG bathed in morning light as they stop behind David Ellisons Ford Model A. David had to retire the Model A while Stuart went on to clean all the sections and win Class Five.
Andrew Brown recaps on the history of the MCC Night Runs
I don’t normally use this site to make general comments, but the debate over on the Classic Trials Facebook Group, kicked-off by the comments in the MCC News of the Week (21.05.2016), has got…
Golds hard to come by on surprisingly competitive Edinburgh.
With most of the events signature sections gone the organisers were saved by the weather on this years Edinburgh Trial. Several months of dry weather ended with a deluge on the early hours of Saturday morning, enlivening the conditions and making Calton and Excelsior particularly competitive.
Dave Cooks wonderfully atmospheric picture of Julian Lack rounding the tight corner leading to the deviation for the higher classes on Cliff Quarry (Picture by Dave Cook)
Starting out from the soulless M42 Services the 194 starters, with surprisingly few in Classes 1 and 2, diverted along the route amendment up the A38 to the outskirts of Derby before entering Ashbourne on the A52 instead of the usual A515. This confused some of the navigators as they didn’t pick the correct place to re-enter the original route card.
Carsington Water
Robin Barlow was in charge here with a radio link to the first section. With ample parking he was able to despatch competitors according to the number queuing on the road before the access track.
Haven Hill
Veteran Reg Taylor was on the start line on the first section. He managed to remain dry for main trial competitors but had to don his wet weather gear as the Class 0 competitors appeared. With no restart this year and a bone dry section everyone went clear.
Cliff Quarry
Kevin and Sam Lindsay about to tackle the higher class deviation. They were to retire shortly afterwards with fuel feed problems. (Picture by Dave Cook)Lee Sample and Matt Robson had clutch issues on the restart. It was fixed with a bit of adjustment and they went on to finish the event. (Picture by Dave Cook)
It was still dark when the first competitors arrived at Cliff Quarry and later numbers had to cope with the rain that started to fall around 6am. Everyone had to do a restart with the higher classes having to deviate around a tricky corner which was particularly Marlin unfriendly, seven of them failing, including father and son Tony and Hal Branson. Most of the non-deviators in the main trial went clean but the experienced Greg Warren was a notable exception.
The restart area wasn’t very muddy, despite the rain, but it still took numerous class 0 scalps including the two French competitors who produced a very nice Video of their adventure.
Going back to Marlins. Kevin Lindsay was having fuel problems with MGB engined car. He couldn’t fix them and had to retire.
Deep Rake (Class 0 only)
Dawn had broken for competitors in Class 0 when they arrived at Deep Rake where Ford Pop stalwarts Nigel Hilling and David Child were in charge of a compact section, with a restart on some loose stones.
This proved challenging for the less experienced and around a third couldn’t get away. These included Lee Sample who found the clutch wouldn’t bite properly on his Rickman Ranger, which has had a new engine since the Lands End.. He adjusted it after the hill and it didn’t give any more trouble. The trial was notable for the number of restarts for Class 0, with no less than seven on the schedule
Deep Rake Observed Test
This followed the familiar route although there was no water splash this year. Not just because of the dry summer but also because the hole had been filled in. There was a delay towards the end of the trial as a local claiming to be the Land Owner arrived saying the club didn’t have his permission to use the land. Fortunately the MCC officials sorted the situation to allow the trial to continue but it remains to be seen if there are any repercussions.
There were very few penalties on the test but they included the two French competitors, maybe the hadn’t yet come to terms with an MCC route card!
Black Harry
Still within the Deep Rake Quarry complex Black Harry had Trojan stalwarts John Wilton and Steve Potter in charge. They didn’t trouble the MCC results team and this was the second section on of the trial without any failures.
Haydale
Triple Editor Celia Walton was in charge here and had needed her wet weather gear as she had caught the worst of the rain during the sections opening hours. Everyone had to restart but outside of Class 0 there were few penalties.
Calton
A rainy view in the long queue for Calton where the restart was problematical for many.
With the rain and a restart for everyone competitors knew this was going to be one of the events significant challenges. The deep ruts on the upper reaches have long gone but there is something special about getting away on polished limestone in the wet!
Nobody in Classes 1 or 2 got away from the restart. The Suzuki’s in Class 5 didn’t fare well. Neither did many Marlins or Lieges or in Class 7. These included Julian Lack who had only put his engine back in the car just before the event but had the distributor module come loose just as he was trying to pull away.
Unfortunately many of the failures had problems backing up for a second try and a long queue built up. When it was getting close to getting back to the main road the Chief Official decided to cancel the hill for Class 0 who went straight to breakfast at the Bull I Thorn.
Incline (Classes 0 to 5 only)
James Turner waiting for his attempt at Incline in his Reliant Rebel.
The rain had eased when the field went through Buxton, out on the A5004 towards Whalley Bridge, passing the former Old Long Hill section before turning off into the Goyt Forest for a new section called Incline. It was a smoothish forest section. The gradient wasn’t too severe but it kept rising and levelling out which caught out the unwary. Other than Classes 1 and 2 where nobody went clear it only caught out a few in the main trial but Steve Kingstone lost his Gold in his MG Midget.
The section was a challenge for Class 0 and Nev Bowers failed his first hill here. This was the last section for Jacques Veyer in his AHS as he ran out of time and found the following sections closed when he arrived. His colleague Denis Sautery had retired his BMW with a holed tank at breakfast.
Corkscrew (Classes 6,7 and 8 only)
Dave Cook had a long walk to Corkscrew where he captured Simon and Bekki Eddy going clean on their way to a Gold and Class D win.
The higher classes tackled the former Jenkins Chapel, reintroduced after many years. Competitors either loved or hated this narrow rocky track but most were appreciative of the section after loosing so many of the other traditional hills.
Alan Spencer was the only class 8 to stop but the section took its toll in 7 and 8 including Matt Facey who had entered his BMW saloon in Class 7 for more of a challenge!
“New” Litton Slack
Competitors could only take sad glances to the left at the “real” section as they tackled the gentle grassy slope of the former escape road which had plenty of grip despite the earlier rain.
Putwell (not for Class 0)
There were the usual two sections. Putwell A was rough again, but there was no restart. Higher up the track came the resurfaced Putwell B with a restart for 6,7 and 8.
The section didn’t have much impact on the results this year although Mike Pearson had to retire when his Dellows alternator failed. The message went back down the section to those waiting and Emma Wall kindly donated her spare so Mike could get to his hotel in Buxton for the evening.
Rakes Head (not for Class 0)
This little section was just up the road from the tea and cake stop at Hollinsclough Village Hall. Classes 6,7 and 8 had to restart. This proved challenging for 6 and 7 but those challenging for premier awards all went clear.
Excelsior
Ian Facey didn’t need the considerable ground clearance of his BMW Z3 to clean Excelsior on his way to a Triple (Picture by Dave Cook)Dick Bolt puts the power down as he pulls away from the Excelsior restart to joint Ian Facey, Stuart Roach, Emma Wall and Hans Viertel in the 2014 Triple Club (Picture by Dave Cook)
Everyone had to restart and with the box on a sharp corner on slippery limestone rock it was going to be a challenge.
The section certainly took its toll on the score sheet especially in 5, 6 and 7. It was interesting that not only did everyone in Class 4 go clear but they all maintained their clean sheets at this stage of the trial.
This was probably the most challenging section of the trial for Class 0 who had to restart like everyone else. Only three cars (Michael Leete – Beetle, Chris Adney – Morgan and Vic Lockley – Beetle) went clean, leaving Vic and Michael with the only clean sheets. Failing the restart was unfortunate for Neil Bray as it cost him a Tri0 award.
Moneystones (Class 0 only)
Exeter Trial Secretary Tim Keeling was marshalling the start and there was a stony restart to tackle further up the slope. It was dry and most avoided the holes but they still caught out Brian Osborne in his MGB and Vic Lockley who said goodbye to his Blue Hills Tin.
Clough Mine 1 (not for Class 0)
Passing the entrance to the former Clough Wood track the lower classes had a straight run but the higher classes has a restart towards the top. The non-re-starters didn’t have problems but getting away from the box was a problem and the 6,7 results were decimated. It also caught out some of the class eights and Russell Clarke (Troll) and Barry Redmayne in his 4 cylinder Suzuki engined Leige, which now sports SU Carburation, lost their chance of gold.
Dudwood 1 (6,7 and 8 only. No restart)
Nobody in Class Six succeeded and only Dudley Sterry in Class 7 reached the summit. It wasn’t that easy in Class 8 where Simon Oates (Triumph Torum), Brian Partridge (Ridge Cannon) and Bill Moffatt (Troll) all said goodbye to Gold.
Several cars in the lower classes also attempted Dudwood 1. This attracted a WR penalty, presumably meaning wrong route. This counted as a section failure and both David Golightly (Ford Morton & Brett) and Kevin Sharp (Suzuki X90) lost their chances of Gold.
Dudwood 2 (1,2,3,4 and 5 only. No restart)
Previously a Class 0 hill this section started in the farmyard this turned into another run through the trees with the surface turning very loose before the top. This proved a bit much for most in Class 5. Aaron Homewood lost his gold here in his venerable Skoda but the three Beetles in Class 4 went clear and were clean as they went to the final observed test.
Dudwood 3 (Class 0 only)
This new section turned out to be a grassy slope which turned out to be dry with plenty of grip and everyone went clean.
Dudwood Observed Test
After a stop astride and reverse this turned into a long blast along a farm track, an enjoyable way to end the competitive part of the trial. Enjoyable that is unless you were John Arrowsmith (Class 4 Beetle) or Dave Wall (Dellow) who were penalised and lost their gold’s here.
The Finish
Leaving the farm track competitors passed the Cliff Quarry section (Hill 2) on the way to the finish back at Bull I Thorn. Popular opinion was that the organisers had done a grand job to make use of the sections that were available to them. As it stands from the provisional results it looks like Car Triples will go to Dick Bolt and Emma Wall, both in Escorts. Hans Viertel (Beetle) Matt Facey BMW Z3 and Stuart Roach (HRG)
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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With two sections cancelled, and a returning Litton Slack attempted only by the higher classes, this years Edinburgh was a concentrated affair.
It wasn’t easy though, Excelsior in particular taking its toll on Triples.
Graham Whiting fettling his Skoda at the breakfast halt. Sadly this was to be Grahams last trial as shortly afterwards he lost his brave fight with cancer.
It was a fine night when competitors gathered at Tamworth Motorway Services. There was bad news for those in the main trial who were told Bamford was cancelled due to an exposed electricity cable. This left very few “traditional” hills for those in the lower classes who would not be attempting Litton Slack.
Lost Golds at the Cliff Quarry Deviation
The first challenge came early on at Cliff Quarry, with a restart for everyone. That wasn’t the main problem though, that was a truly horrible deviation for the higher classes. This really challenged their steering lock and such luminary’s as Dean Partington, Nick Farmer, Dudley Sterry and Eric Wall all lost their clean sheets here.
Putwell Repaired
After the Black Harry complex came Putwell. The rumour was that Putwell B had received the attention of the Derbyshire road gang. Putwell A was as rough as ever but Putwell B was a bit different, as smooth as the M1! Never mind a couple of years of water erosion and it will be competitive again.
Litton Slack Only for Some
There were two Litton Slacks in the route card. New Litton Slack for Classes 0 to 5 and old Litton Slack for 6, 7 and 8. The section for the Lower Classes could hardly be described as Litton Slack, its just a smooth grassy track, with very little gradient, running along the top of the valley.
The real Litton Slack was a challenge for the higher classes and nobody in 6 or 7 reached the summit. It was a challenge for Class 8 as well and the experienced Dean Partington, Nick Farmer, Dudley Sterry and Eric Wall were the only drivers to go clean. Unfortunately for this quartet they had all flailed Cliff Quarry.
Slippery Stones
Calton and Excelsior are both traditional hills with re-starts on polished stones for everyone except Class 0. They failed more than 50% each and sadly Nicola Butcher lost her triple on Excelsior when all the class fours except James Arrowsmith and Hans Viertel failed to get away.
Motorcyclists to Hospital
The abbreviated Edinburgh finished with Clough Mine and Dudwood. Neither are “classic” sections and Dudwood was cancelled after two of the motorcyclists hurt themselves and required medical attention .
Class 0 had a very similar trial, minus most of the restarts and a couple of the rougher hills, substituted by some gentler stuff.
Triple for Julian
When the provisional results were published it looked as if there wouldn’t be any triples. However, after some time they were amended with particular reference to Classes seven and eight on Litton Slack which meant Julian Lack was awarded a Triple.
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Unfortunately a Memorable Event for Rough Sections, PR Issues and Delays.
Rain immediately before the event toughened up a route that had lost many of its traditional sections. This caused delays and some later numbers finished some four hours after scheduled time.
John White negotiating his way over the Putwell Rocks on his way to winning the only MCC Triple of 2012 (Picture by Dave Cook)
It is becoming more and more problematical for the MCC to run a trial in Derbyshire. Haggside and Hucklow have been lost in recent years. Litton Slack is no more and there are doubts about other favourites. As a result the Edinburgh is a very different trial these days, with an increasing number of sections on private land.
Delays in the Night
After a period of dry weather there was rain during Friday night, making some of the sections quite slippery. Car competitors faced immediate delays when an early number had to be extricated from Haven Hill. This caused a delay which built up and an hours worth of cars were soon backed up at Robin Barlows Carrsington Water Holding Control.
Cliff Quarry was next, new to the MCC but well known to VSCC aficionados. Everyone had to do a restart here, including Class 0. The rain had made this much harder than the organisers probably intended and with no recovery possible. The inevitable failures had a long, difficult, reverse back to the road to the head of the long queue that soon stretched back to the nearby village.
Although it wasn’t shown in the route card classes 7 & 8 had a tricky deviation, with a corner that stopped almost everyone, including eventual best in Class 7 Roger Bricknell, making a welcome return in his Vincent. It was possible though, as Nick Farmer proved on his first outing in his Red Top powered Fugitive. There was no deviation for Class 1 but Ian Cundy will remember this section as he lost his Triple here when the engine on his Golf fluffed.
Rileys Rise was a nice section, a bit rough, and maybe not the same track as has been used previously with that name. It was unfortunate that a PR problem developed towards the end when the local farmer arrived, objecting to the track being used as a section. Things were smoothed over by the Bristol club marshalling the hill and lets hope it doesn’t prevent its use in the future.
Into the Quarry
The Quarry complex was uneventful, apart from those that got soaked in the water at the end of the Special test!
Putwell was just down the road and although not in the quarry it was certainly rough enough. After another long wait car drivers found that Putwell A was full of loose rocks and those with limited ground clearance really suffered This was merely the appetiser for the unbelievably rough Putwell B. Always a rough one it appears that water erosion has made the “valleys” deeper while 4WD drive traffic hasn’t reduced the height of the mountains. While there were some that were OK with the section the majority of car drivers reckoned the section was past its sell by date.
Stuart Harrold was observing driving standards on the exit track and was delighted to report that everyone was behaving.
With all the delays breakfast at Bull I’th Thorn was most welcome, especially the generous portions and friendly service.
Litton wasn’t the Traditional Section
Unfortunately the traditional Litton Slack isn’t available as a section but one was run along the track at the top. With it being so wet the restart was cancelled but it was still necessary to use considerable throttle control in the mud.
Bamford on Form
The wet conditions made Bamfords infamous steps very slippery this year and there were numerous failures. It certainly wasn’t very friendly to Class 5 where the Suzuki X90’s all struggled for grip. Paul Clay was on form in his Ford 10 powered Austin Seven Special, clearing the section on his way to being best in Class 5. The inevitable Bamford delays were exasperated by non-competing traffic and Dudley Sterry received a baulk.
Tricky Restart at Calton
This is of those sections that looks so innocuous from the start line. Twenty years ago it was deep ruts that were the problem. Then they were filled in and it became an easy section for a while. Now everyone except Class 0 has a restart on polished stones and this year the damp made the limestone really slippery. Sadly this cost Dick Bolt his triple when the Cornishman couldn’t stop the back wheels spinning. His only hope was for none of the class to go clean but unfortunately for Dick both Lester Keat in his Avenger and Edward Broom in his Escort got away. This left only John White on for a Triple this year.
Running late at Hollinsclough
By now the delays had spread the field out and cars were arriving in dribs and drabs. This had one benefit as the parking field was out of use as it was too muddy and cars had to park on the limited space on the road.
Rakes Head was a few yards up the road. It isn’t very long but this is a nice little section attempted by everyone apart from Class 0 with a restart for everyone. This took its toll of the lower classes but it also defeated Nick Farmer and Duncan Stephens in Nicks new Fugitive.
Excelsior came next, with a restart scheduled on the slippery cobbles. This proved very tricky and after numerous failures it was cancelled.
Cancelled Clough
Heading East towards Darley Dale there were two sections on the Routecard. One on private Land at Clough Mine and the traditional Clough Wood track.
The Clough Mine section was a very muddy, rutted track, quite long and straight. Ground clearance was the big problem. Classes 6, 7 and 8 had a restart as well. None of the 6’s and 7’s got away, nullifying things for them. It was pretty difficult for Class 8 as well, but it was possible. Local men Dean Partington and Liam Rafferty got away in their Dean constructed cars, joined by veterans Dudley Sterry and Eric Wall.
With a restart for all, delays soon built up on the nearby Clough Wood and Chief Official decided he had to cancel the section.
Quagmire at Dudwood.
The final action was scheduled at Dudwood Farm, with different sections for Class 0 and the main trial. Everything was very muddy and the special test had to be cancelled. The main trial had to tackle the quagmire at Dudwood 2. It looked impossible and it was, for all but one man, Dean Partington, who powered his way to the summit.
Fortunately for John White he was joined by everyone else in class 4 in not getting up this last hill, earning him the one and only Triple for 2012.
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Classical Gas 