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What no restarts!
With high forestry charges this years Clee Hills stayed East of the A49, with what proved to be a good mix of sections to challenge everyone from Beginner to Expert. Many of the sections were not subdivided and there was only one restart scheduled but even this disappeared when Longville was cancelled.
Continue reading “Ian Davis wins Cold Clee”Previous winner Nick Deacon was second in his X90. Kev Standard was best Motorcycle.
With no Clee last year because of Covid there was an eager bunch of trialers gathered at The Squirrel in Ludlow for the first one day trial of the year.
The organisers set out to simplify this years event and didn’t use the Clee’s well known two loop system this time.
There were also some familiar sections omitted because of forestry issues. This didn’t stop the trial being a first class event with a lot of praise on social media from the competitors.
Continue reading “Paul Merson wins Clee Hills Trial”John Kenny best Motorcycle
The Midland Automobile Club had accumulated a formidable organising team for this years Clee Hills Trial. A veritable dynasty of trialling with Simon Woodall as Clerk of the Course, Pat Toulmin Secretary of the Meeting and Adrian Tucker-Peake as Chief Marshall.
Their event was classic modern Clee, retaining their unique twin loop system which helps finish the trial on time as it brings two hills into play at the same time but can make it a long day for the marshals. Continue reading “Nick Deacon wins Clee in X90”
With unusually dry conditions there were nine clean sheets, across five classes, so special test times came into play to determine the results.
It was an excellent trial, with some new and reintroduced sections,although the dry conditions made stoppers like The Jenny Wind and Easthope cleanable by mere mortals. The event was notable for the bumper Class Two entry with the VSCC coming out in force to enliven the proceedings.
Clerk of the Course Graham Austin and his Midland Automobile Club Team were rewarded by a bumper entry for this years Clee. A few weeks before numbers were a bit thin and consequently Graham decided to do away with the events familiar double loop system. Come the day there was a full entry of 80, with some prospective competitors turned away. The system worked well though and there were very few delays.
Although there were 22 sections they were not attempted by everyone, as the comprehensive plan sent out with the final instructions revealed. The idea was to more or less eliminate the necessity for restarts by deviations, differential start lines and alternative sections for the different classes.
Muddy Strefford
A muddy Strefford Wood 3 was first on the agenda for 1,2,7 and 8. This defeated all in classes 1 and 7 with Pete Hart doing best to get to the three. Unfortunately some of the VSCC contingent in class 2 had trouble with the entrance track and it was abandoned for them, but not until Bill Bennett stormed to the 5. It was on for the Class 8’s though and half a dozen of them went clean.
Class Eight Flounder
Those who didn’t start at Strefford Wood commenced battle at a reintroduced Flounders Folly, now without the gate on the twist at the start. This proved relatively straightforward for the lower classes, who turned off before the mud started. Classes 7 & 8 had to go straight up where the mud and increasing gradient saw only eventual winner Dean Partington and fellow DP Wasp driver Mike Chatwin go clear. Despite having picked up two punctures already Duncan Stephens came close in his Class 7 Melos, getting to the two, one further than Tim Smith (Marlin). As it turned out these first two hills decided 7 & 8 as the leading contenders were to clean the rest of the sections.
Cleared Callow
The next section was just across the car park and the clearing refers to the organisers efforts with saw and brush cutter to make the section usable. It was a straight blast for everyone but class eight, who had a wicked deviation that was too much for 50% of them, including Adrian Marfell (in his special rather than the Beetle he had entered) and Dudley Sterry. The other classes had to contend with differential start lines which resolved Class 6 as Gary Browning went clear and remained so, while Vic Lockley dropped his only mark of the day. A couple of the Class 0’s went clear, Andrew Isherwood wasn’t in this group, dropping six in his Dellow Mk1. However, these were the only marks he was to lose all day and he went on to win the Class.
Hungerford Returns
2011 saw the return of the marvellous Hungerford, at least if you weren’t in 7 or 8 who gave it a miss. The lower reaches were dry with the exposed rock steps to contend with, not too bad if you took it easy. Once out of the gully the gradient eased and the rocks stopped, replaced by mud and deep ruts that went on and on, a truly marvellous section, if you have the ground clearance. The VSCC contingent did well here but only Rob Wells could coax a Suzuki X90 over the muddy hump at the end, even Jonathan Toulmin, who has done so much for the event, needing a tow. After a Class 0 only section at Harton Wood they were given a taste of the action here, which was perhaps a little unfair for the lower slung cars as some of the ruts were really deep.
Lots of Grip on The Jenny Wind
Everyone attempted The Jenny Wind, but how different can a hill be. It was very dry and there was plenty of grip everywhere, apart from the very top where the gradient increases as the section meets the cross track. The majority of the entry cleaned the section, many for the first time. Most of those that didn’t at least saw the summit, defeated by the mud at that last little rise. This group included Clee stalwarts and Northern Trial organisers Fred Mills (Marlin) and Derek Reynolds (DAF). Having lost Lee Huck at the first section all the class 1’s stormed up, at the expense of a CV joint for Dave Haizelden’s Golf which he soon repaired. Nigel Jones was delighted to go clean in his MGF but decided to retire afterwards with gear selection problems, caused earlier in the day when the sump guard was pushed up onto the linkage,
Into the Woods
Going back through Much Wenlock and onto the B4371 there was a new route into Easthope Wood and its one way system. 7&8 had Major’s Leap and Hill Top on the agenda. Everyone in Class 8 cleaned both and most of the Class 7’s as well.
Classes 1 to 6 were treated to a relatively dry Easthope, cleaned by all but a few who struggled with the bump at the top. Ippikins Rock followed. Its hairpin bend was on form but those that got round were disappointed as it had to be taken out of the results following some confusion regarding the instructions.
Heywood Common
Classes 7 & 8 missed out on this nice little BOAT, that proved surprising difficult. It was rocky, rutty and being shaded the mud hadn’t dried. It certainly sorted out the Class 0’s, only a couple of Dellows a Melos and a Marlin getting to the summit. It defeated quite a few of the VSCC contingent as well. Surprising with the large entry, there were only two Class 3’s in this years Clee and neither climbed Heywood Common. James Smith was to win the Class in his BMW while Derek Reynolds had to retire after Castle.
Castle
The organisers are to be congratulated for finding this fine old track. Everyone had a go and there were no failures despite being restricted to road pressures. It is truly a magnificent setting, providing a stunning backdrop to Dave Cook’s photos.
Rattlinghope & Gattens Gamble
After a nice run over The Long Mynd there was a the usual special test at Rattlinghope followed by Gattens Gamble, run the normal way round this year. It was nice to see the land owner talking to some of the competitors at the start of the section. The club are very lucky to have him support the event with such enthusiasm. He is well known in the area for taking his daughter to school in his tank! The views at the top of Gattens Gamble are truely magnificent, as they were through the Gliding Club on the way to the Priors Holt Complex. One of the many reasons why competitors are attracted to this event.
Priors Holt 4
This was a new hill, despite looking very much like Priors Holt 3. Everyone but Class 0 attempted the section which had differential start lines. The first part was steep muddy rock, although there was plenty of grip, before a sting in the tail when the route dived off into deep muddy ruts before finishing back on the main track. As it happened it didn’t prove a problem to the regulars, although Nick Cleal bogged down in his Peugeot 205
Enterprise Observed Test
There was a long run round the perimeter of the wood to this new special test. The finish line was on a steep bank where, perhaps surprisingly, most people managed to stop astride. Former Clee Clerks of the Course Simon Woodall and Jonathan Toulmin managed the finish line OK but fell foul of line C-C.
With several clean sheets the two observed tests were important. Dean Partington was inch perfect to make it a DP Wasp one, two with Mike Chatwin in Class Eight and take the Fray Cup for the overall winner.
James Shallcross kept to his winning ways in Class 1 while in Class 2 I’m sure even Bill Bennett wouldn’t have minded being pipped to the class by John Bell in his slightly more modern MG TD. Class four was the other category to be decided on test times and John White made it decisive, by nine seconds, over Sam Holmes.
The Slab
This was the first year the lower classes had been let lose on this twisty, bumpy little section. Although tricky there was plenty of grip in the dry and the main contenders had no problems. It was easy to lose control though and David Jackson dived into the bracken in his FPS but was able to continue. Not so Dean Yarranton who retired his Reliant Goose Special in the Priors Holt Complex with a broken diff. Julian Fack was spectaing and promptly sold him a new one!
Priors Holt 1
Adjacent to The Slab, and attempted by only 7 & 8, PH1 is long with loose stones, mud and a steadily increasing gradient. It turned out to be tricky, stopping more than 50% including Ian Davis who had dropped only one mark till then.
Priors Holt 2
The lower Classes were spared the fearsome reverse down PH1 this year but still had PH2 to contend with. This is a very long hill, stony at the bottom, mud and ruts at the top with a restart for 3 to 6, their only one of the day. There was plenty of grip and the section claimed only a few victims. A couple on the sharp corner at the bottom and a few more in the ruts after the sharp right hander at the top.
Strefford Wood 1
The lower classes were off to the finish to sign off after the Piors Holt Sections but 7 & 8 went back across the A49 for Strefford Wood 1 to tackle the full section this time. Things had dried out considerably since the morning but the gully was there to trap the unwary. The section proved a sting in the tail for Andy Curtis who went up the class 7 route in his Buggy, losing the award for second in class in the process.
The Finish
Back at the finish there were a happy crowd of competitors who had enjoyed a near perfect event. OK it was a shame that some of the awards had to be decided on the Observed Tests but the organisers couldn’t have expected things would be so dry. At least it gave some of the stalwarts of the entry list the chance to see the top of a few hills they had never seen before. There were a few criticisms but in true Clee spirit Graham Austin and Adrian Tucker-Peake didn’t defend the situation but vowed to sort them out for next time. Its that attitude which brings competitors and marshals back to this excellent event.
| Class | ||
| Overall | Dean Partington (DP Wasp) | 0 |
| 0 | Andrew Isherwood (Mk1 Dellow) | 6 |
| 1 | James Shallcross (Peugeot 205) | 5 |
| 2 | John Bell (MG TB) | 7 |
| 3 | James Smith (BMW 318 Si) | 6 |
| 4 | John White (VW Beetle) | 0 |
| 5 | Keith Sanders (Reliant Scimitar SS) | 0 |
| 6 | Gary Browning (VW Beetle) | 0 |
| 7 | Duncan Stephens (Dutton Melos) | 5 |
| 8 | Mike Chatwin (DP Wasp) | 0 |
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.
Dave Foreshew wins Clee Hills Trial
Dave had a clear victory, dropping only ten marks, seven less than Andrew and Sticker Martin who both dropped 17 in their Escorts. It has to be said that the lower classes had significantly easier routes, one of the features of The Clee Hills Trial. There had been a lot of rain leading up to the start and some of the sections were pretty sticky, leading to some cancellations. Nerveless, despite this and some route card problems, the Clee maintained its reputation as an thoroughly enjoyable and continually evolving event.
In recent years the Clee has employed a unique system where the route is two circles, forming a figure of eight with the start in the centre. The entry is split according to class. So 6, 7 and 8 do one loop first while the other classes do the other. It’s a bit more complicated as class 0 have some unique sections and omit some used by 1 to 5, while 6,7 and 8 also have some unique sections. Why am I telling you this? So you understand that as a competitor in class 4 I didn’t see all the sections!
Penhale’s Puzzler Special Test – I will start by being sarcastic and say that the first puzzle was finding the damn thing! Fortunately one of our fellow Beetle driversknew where it was and the rest of class 4 followed them! When we got there it wasn’t so much of a puzzle as a very nice marshal told us what to do, which was to drive forwards in a circle, then retrace in reverse. Kevin Barnes didn’t make it this far in his venerable Singer ADU, retiring less than a mile from the start when the cylinder head failed.
Section 10 Flounders Folly – A very slippery route though the trees next to the special test. There wasn’t really a track there so there was no bottom and the wet clay was very slippery. Everyone spun to a halt in the slime. Dudley Sterry got the furthest, stopping just before the sections ends board. Eventual winner David Foreshew came just behind, making the two. Both Stephen Kenny and Mark Endley retired their Liege’s here, Stephen with a disintegrating distributor.
Section 13 Easthope 1 – This is in the same complex as the old Ipikins Rock section, which wasn’t used this year. It’s a muddy track with some pretty deep ruts. Quite a few cars in 7 and 8 cleared the section but most who got through the ruts at the bottom OK spun to a stop as the going got more slippery.
Section 14 Easthope 3 – Attempted only by the lower classes the section started with a horrible right hand hairpin which defeated many, most of the remainder failed to surmount the deviation that lay just ahead. It was possible though, and the eventual winners of classes one to four all went clean, although goodness knows how Dave Haizelden managed it in his Golf.
Section 15 Majors Leap – Only attempted by the reds and yellows Dave Foreshew was the only clear.
Section 16 The Jenny Wind – Well known section which has been used on The Clee for many years and was trialled before the war. After the sharp right hander its straight up if you can. Most couldn’t and spun to a stop on the lower reaches, way below Dave Cooks camera! Nigel Jones had to retire here with driveshaft problems and Nigel Scotford dropped out with clutch issues in the ex-Courtney Yandle Skoda. Nick Farmer had electrical problems with the ex-Tony Rothin Cannon Alfa but was able to continue.
Section 17 Harley Bank – This used to be a wonderful long track but the old route has become too easy after council re-surfacing so there is now a horrible deviation with a very tight left-hand corner which was impossible in the sticky clay.
The 2nd loop had a very different character. Much more picturesque, more rocks and less mud. It started with a trip over The Long Myndd. It was very clear so there were some wonderful views. Its a long way down, with unprotected drops. At least when it was used as a selective in Motoring News Rallies it was dark and they couldn’t see what would happen if you didn’t make the corners!
Section 1 – Ratlinghope – Not particularly competitive but a wonderful long old section. It should have been followed by…
Section 2 – Phil’s Folly – Unfortunately the conditions were to bad to allow this old track to be used this year. Something I have experience off when marshalling the section a few years ago. Nobody was more disappointed than John Sergeant who was first going to be marshalling at Round Oak before it was cancelled, only to arrive at Phil’s Folly and find that couldn’t be used.
Section 3 – Gatten’s Gamble – Starting in farmer Phil Harding’s yard this is another wonderful long up and over Clee sections with fantastic views crossing the summit.
Section 4 – Allez ‘Oop1 – Classes 6, 7 and 8 all went clear as they climbed this cleft in the hillside, made infamous by C.A.N. Mays book Wheelspin. Although it has been resurfaced since, it couldn’t be taken lightly, and claimed some scalps amongst the lower powered cars for who were using it as a section. At the top the route followed the southern ridge of The Long Mynd before entering the forestry containing the Priors Halt sections.
Section 5 – Priors Holt 3 – Another Clee section Mike Hayward and I have marshalled, and as last year there were multiple restart lines depending on your class. There was plenty of grip for the later numbers, to much in some cases as some of the less powerful cars on low pressures found themselves bogging down. Giles Greenslade went clear for the second year on his way to winning class four, as did both Sticker and Arnie Martin in their Escorts.
Long Mynd Special Test – Nice timed rocky climb with a nifty descent where it was all too possible to overshoot the finish line. Unfortunately it was probably a bit steep for some of the lower powered cars as several of them couldn’t make the climb.
Section 6 – Priors Holt 2 – Yet another section Mike Hayward and I have marshalled. Used only for Class 0 this year.
Section 7 – Priors Holt 3 – A steep climb with loose rock, demanding close attention to tyre pressures and throttle control. This was the last section for the lower classes as Strefford Wood was cancelled after 6,7 and 8 passed through and Round Oak was taken out before the cars started although this failed to get into some of the road books.
| Best Overall | Dave Foreshew (Ford Dingo) | 10 |
| Class Winners | ||
| 1 | David Haizelden (VW Golf GTi) | 30 |
| 2 | Adrian Dommett (Wolesley Hornet) | 25 |
| 3 | Andrew Martin (Ford Escort) | 17 |
| 4 | Giles Greenslade (VW Beetle) | 22 |
| 5 | Thomas Aldrian (Austin 7) | 40 |
| 6 | Gary Browning (VW Beetle) | 30 |
| 7 | Mal Allen (Marlin) | 40 |
| 8 | Dudley Sterry (MG J2) | 21 |
| 0 | Keith Hill (Singer Junior) | 24 |
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
Dudley Sterry wins Clee Hills Trial
On paper Dudley Sterry and Adrian Dommett were joint equal on special test times, Dudley winning the trial on Special Test times. The reality is this was very much Dudley’s trial, having to contend with much tougher sections and restarts than Adrian. Yes, I know Adrian is in Class 2, but his Wolsley Hornet is more than equal to most Class 8 machines.
Dudley and Adrian totally dominated the event, each only dropping nine, compared to the 21 of their nearest challengers David Foreshew and Ross Norman.
The Clee Hills retained its figure of eight format for 2007. Classes 0 to 5 doing the Western loop first while 6, 7 and 8 were out East to tackling Longville, Easthope The Jenny Wind etc. The weather was cold, and there was even a little snow, but it didn’t settle and the sky was clear enough for some marvellous views across the Shropshire countryside. Perhaps the biggest problem was the absence of breakfast at The Craven Arms start venue.
The challenge for the lower classes didn’t start until the cars arrived at the forestry complex for The Priors Holt sections, starting quite logically with Priors Holt Three and going on to Priors Holt Two and One!
Priors Holt 3 was a short, sharp chute, all about restarting just before the rock steps started. First car was Giles Greenslade, who wheezed his way to the top, the Beetle engine hovering on the point when it would cough to a stop. Terry Ball applied plenty of power and flew up, with little or no wheelspin, but all the other class 4 competitors came to a halt with spinning wheels, including Emma Robilliard who was to go on to redeem herself on Priors Holt One and win Class 4.
Class three had problems as well, only Andrew Martin, driving Stickers Escort as the Melos hasn’t been fixed after the Exeter, going clean. Nigel Green got away from the restart and came out of the top, but incurred a fail as he had straddled the box rather than having have two of his wheels between the markers.
Simon Groves destroyed his chances of a good result when he went up the bank just after the start of Priots Holt 1 dropping 12. Without any restarts it was all rather easy for Adrian Dommett who arrived back at The Craven Arms for the lunch break clean.
While all that was going on Dudley Sterry and Brian Osborne were having a successful Western loop, only dropping two on Easthope 2 and five on The Jenny Wind. They had a definite advantage running an early number on Flounders Folly, the first hill, as it was covered with pine needles under the trees and when these had gone it cut up into quite a morass, making it very difficult for following cars.
In the afternoon the Beetles in class four exploited their ground clearance, Emma Robilliard added another class win to her trophy shelf when she only dropped three on Easthope 2 when Giles dropped six. In Class 3 Andrew Martin maintained his lead for a decisive class win. Adrian Dommett dropped nine in the afternoon to win his class and equalling winner Dudley Sterry score on the hills.
Dudley Sterry maintained his advantage in the afternoon, only dropping two on Priors Holt 1, which was only cleaned by the flyweights of Dave Foreshew and Dean Partington.
Derek Tyler was clean in the afternoon in his class 7 Baja to take the class win (in the absence of Andrew Martin?) and classes 5 and 6 were won by Gill Hayward and Mark Tooth respectively.
| Best Overall | Dudley Sterry (MG J2) | 9 |
| Class Winners | ||
| 1 | David Haizelden (VW Golf GTi) | 29 |
| 2 | Adrian Dommett (Wolesley Hornet) | 9 |
| 3 | Andrew Martin (Ford Escort) | 23 |
| 4 | Emma Robilliard (VW Beetle) | 27 |
| 5 | Gillian Hayward (MGB GT) | 65 |
| 6 | Mike Hobbs (VW Beetle) | 17 |
| 7 | Derek Tyler (VW Baja) | 30 |
| 8 | David Foreshew (Dingo) | 21 |
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
Adrian Marfell won the Clee Hills in his familiar VW Rail, dropping seven marks, all lost on Harley Bank Two. Adrian won on special test times from Carl Talbot who also dropped seven, two on Harley Bank 2 and five on Easthope 2.
Clerk of the Course Jonathan Toulmin retained the twin loop format for the MAC’s Clee Hills Trial. Jonathan and his team have a justified reputation for running an excellent event, in a highly professional way, and were rewarded by an excellent entry including no less than 15 cars in class two. There was no snow this year but the mist didn’t lift in some places throughout the day.
There were quite a few route changes because of bad ruts caused by over enthusiastic 4wd’s and Round Oak had to be cancelled at the last minute because of a sick horse.
Classes six, seven and eight set out from the start at The Craven Arms to embark on the western loop to battle for overall honours. First on the agenda was the Rattlinghope special test. I wonder if Carl Talbot realised that this would cost him overall victory at the end of the day when he was 1.5 seconds slower than Adrian Marfell. The leading runners went round the western loop clean, with only the new Priors Holt 1 section causing any real problems, with fails for both Peter Mountain and Keith Oakes.
The first observed Hills on the Eastern loop were on National Trust land with the two Easthope sections and Majors Leap. Adrian Marfell was the only car to reach the summit of the previously un-cleaned Eeasthope 2 that was first used in 2005. Most of the other Class Eights dropped either 4 or 5. The class 7’s didn’t fare so well and Andrew Brown was best with 5.
Majors Leap was a toughie for the higher classes and a fair few dropped a full 12, including Falcons Keith and Claire Oakes in their Dutton Phaeton, putting them out of contention early in the proceedings.
After these three sections on National Trust Land it was back on the road to the Harley Bank – Jenny Wind complex. The slippery Harley Bank 2 section was one of the new ones used for the first time last year and Simon Woodall piloted the only car to get to the summit. Carl Talbot was best of the rest with a two, five better than Adrian Marfell, putting them equal on seven. This was to remain the score at the end, as both cleaned The Jenny Wind and Meadowley where Simon Woodall came out the top with a rough sounding engine. It promptly seized, and the VW Buggy needed a tow from Ross Norman to get back to the finish.
So overall victory went to Adrian Marfell by virtue of his special test times. Ian Davis came 5th overall, stopping mid way on both the Easthope sections and Harley Bank 2 and also stopping just short of the summit of The Jenny Wind.
The lower classes embarked on the Eastern Loop first. It started with a bang for classes three, four and five as none of them got away from their restart. Ippikins Rock was the decider for the lower classes. The section is all about that very sharp right-handed hairpin. In class three Nick Farmer couldn’t get the big BMW round, dropping 8 which was to give the class to Simon Groves. Class four was decided here as well. Terry Ball had been battling with the ex-Matthew Sharratt March Hare winning Beetle of Nicola Wainwright. Unfortunately, neither got around the famous hairpin but Pete Barr did in 1303 handing him the class.
On the Western Loop the steep new Priors Holt 1 was prove a problem to many cars, including Simon Groves who dropped four but still maintained his class lead. Adrian Dommett won Class 2 in his familiar Wolesley Hornet but all eyes were on James Diffeys magnificent Bresica Bugatti, which he drove into 2nd place in class with great gusto.
An excellent Clee, run under difficult circumstances this year. There is a rumour that this could be Jonathan Toulmins last event in the leading organising role. Lets all hope he changes his mind.
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
Dave Sargeant reports on his Clee Hills Trial
We started out early from home and took a steady ride from Worcestershire into Shropshire; the old beetle has never been famous for its heating so we knew we were going to have a chilly day ahead. One thing guaranteed from the day ahead was picture postcard scenery from the glorious Clee hills.
Scrutineering was swift as ever with John and June Blakely doing a great job. We signed on and collected our route card with amendments from Pat Toulmin, looking at the first amendment it was clear there was plenty of snow around with us having to divert from going over the Long Mynd.
Off we set for the first special test of the day in our class 4 beetle:
The scenery was fantastic as we waited for the escorts in front of us to go; the test was quite straight forward all wheels across line b then back across b and astride c. The B board was quite slippery and certainly made pulling away again for the c board difficult. From the C board we went straight into Ratlinghope hill not a difficult section but with a great view of the countryside.
On we went to a new hill Phil’s Folly which was located next to Gattens Gamble. We arrived to see the first car attempt the section which was Jeff and Carol Buchanan in the Reliant, the car was at the top of the hill being towed out by a four wheel drive jeep, but unfortunately was not having much success and with the edge of the field looming, the watching competitors decided to go and help.
It took about 10 people to push first the jeep then the Reliant away from the edge and off towards the next section, By this time it had been decided they would cancel the section for all the classes who were there and we all had to back up and form a new queue at Gattens Gamble, it was a shame for the marshals and the competitors as it did look a good section.
Straight forward climb no real problems for anyone.
We set of with 12 psi in the tyres, I probably would have been more comfortable being at 10 as the car didn’t stop wheel spinning I had to keep backing off the power to get grip but no real worries.
The hill was straight forward, but getting down to it was another matter!!
We slowly followed the other beetles down the section, having to wait for quite a length of time as an Austin 7 was nearly consumed by the ruts. Then I edged too close to the right and consequently fell into the gully with both left hand wheels the further I went down the more the car got stuck leaving me with the front bumper hard against a tree and the floor of the car wedged on the bank stuck fast I couldn’t go backwards or forwards, as the oil light came on as I was on such an angle I turned off the engine and waited for help. It came from a couple of marshals and Colin Perryman, Peter Barr and his passenger, armed with a hand winch and ropes they tied around a tree and connected the cable to my rear tow eye. It was at this stage Jayne decided it was better if she could get out of the car while it was attempted to be retrieved so she climbed out of the passenger door and waited down the hill.
The winch did its job the guys soon pulled the car back from the tree by a few metres problem was it was still in the ditch and no way of getting the wheels out.
Colin Perryman and Peter Barr rallied the guys and promptly lifted the front of the Beetle onto the track; I then drove the car forward back upright. Our heart felt thanks go out to all the people who helped us and I only damaged the back wing.
18 psi needed I certainly did I struggled to pull away as I had so much grip on the first corner after the bend we picked up momentum and it was a straight forward climb, I see from the results it stopped a few of class 1 and 2. The views were fantastic especially with the snow on the ground; we just had time for a quick snow ball fight at the top before moving off to harton wood special test.
I remember marshalling this as a hill years ago, this greasy special test was extremely slippy on the B board, I think it would have been a great test as a section with a restart, how about it Jonathon?
I promised myself last year that I would definitely go far enough back this year, but what did I do exactly the same as last year only less smoke surrounded the car as I struggled to get back up to the B board, I said to Jayne that’s far enough back, to which she replied I don’t think it is, she was right !!
Onto Diff test it was nice to see Paul and Ann Fairbanks out, will Paul ever get that old special back out?
A really difficult section, the only way to climb it is flat out straight away, but with the added problem of hitting a tree as the track slopes to the right hand side at the start. We arrived just as Terry Ball in his beautifully prepared Beetle took of the start line, and whacked the rear wing off the first tree, it didn’t stop his climb though and he managed to get a 4.
Next to attempt the climb was Adrian Marfell in his orange beetle, he left the line in his usually attacking mode, and drove superbly up to the corner where the 4 marker was and was able to back off and go around the bend to clear the section, I stood with Bill Bennett and we watched with awe. The cries of follow that rang in my ears as we watched David Dyer attempt the section, he too attacked the section with vigour, missing the tree by inches, he climbed well until the bend where he fell of the track into a tree badly damaging the wing and front panel again getting a 4.
Bill Bennett was next with his gorgeous old MG, Bill too attacked the start and made a good climb up to a 5, finally we attempted the section, I thought I may as well join the club and go flat out from the start 8 psi in the rear tyres and we were away, the Beetle went well apart from slowing drastically up as we reached the bend and resulting in us nearly reaching the 4 marker. We were pulled out of the section by a land rover.
This hill proved difficult for most of the competitors, only a handful of class 8 and 7 managed to clear the section, and of course overall winner Adrian Marfell.
We got there in time to see David Dyer get a 5 a really great attempt as the corner was very difficult, Adrian got a 4 and Terry got an 8 the same as we did, Pete Barr got a useful 7.Great climbs from Adrian Dommett with a 3, and Simon Woodall, Mike Workman and Ian Davis in Class 8 getting a close as you can with a 2.
As ever Jenny wind was as greasy as ever, we climbed out of the ruts and got a 4, as did Terry ball, David dyer climbed well to a 3 and Adrian unbelievably cleared the section! David Haizelden had a fantastic climb with a clear, as did Harvey Waters, Adrian Dommett and Andrew Martin. Class 6 best climb came from Gary Browning with a 3. Only 3 cars in class 8 got as high as a 4 included in that was class 8 winner Simon Woodall.
Quite a straight forward climb we could have done with a lawn mower to clear the grass from the centre of the track.
We got to Hungerford as Ian Bates came over to us and said that after the section ends board the ruts were very deep and to treat the rest of the way out as a section , he stopped the other classes attempting it while we were there to try and get all of class 4 out of the section first, so off we went one by one all of class 4 cleaned the section and got through the ruts comfortably David Dyer had a puncture on the way out and was helped out by Adrian so that we could all get out. We had fun trying to find the rear tyre valves at the end to blow the tyres up though.
Back to Craven Arms Hotel to sign off and get back to pick the kids up from the baby sitters. A great day out shame I mucked up Longville special test still there’s always next year I’ll listen to Jayne as to when I decide to put it into first gear.
Many thanks to all the organisers and Marshall’s for all their hard work, we did manage to not only finish in the light but we also got home in the light, Perfect.
See you next year
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There was snow on the Shropshire Hills for this years Clee Hills. Fortunately not enough to bring things to a halt, but quite enough to make conditions difficult. Adrian Marfell mastered the difficult conditions in his Beetle to win overall, dropping only four marks. Adrian Dommett was second in his Class 2 Wolsley Hornet.
Like last year the field was split and went on two separate loops. Classes 0 to Five tackled the Western loop first, embarking on a long detour around The Long Mynd because of the treacherous conditions. Ratlinghope came first, a special test, then a section which was cleaned by everyone. A long descent followed, crossing a road to the farm at the foot of Gattens Gamble.
There was a new section this year, the route turning left at the tank to Phils Folly. This was new section on an old coach road that is now privately owned. The section started on a level rutted track, hair-pinning right where the gradient started up a muddy tree lined track. Unfortunately Jeff Buchanan couldn’t get his ex Dennis Greenslade Reliant round the corner, neither could David Bowlas who was following in his Midget. Extracting the cars took so long that the section had to be cancelled.
By the time the higher classes came along in the afternoon the farmer had scrapped the mud off the hairpin and there was plenty of traction. The problem was getting round the hairpin. Regrettably there were problems at the top of the section and the exit road, making it rather to hairy for comfort and it was necessary to cancel it again. Gattens Gamble was cleaned by most of the field but Derek Reynolds found his DAF’s drive belts struggled with the steep gradient at the start. The views at the top were as magnificent as ever.
After a straightforward Walkmill came Adstone for the lower classes, who descended what was to be Medicot for six, seven and eight in the afternoon. Adstone was not a problem but the descent of Medicot certainly was. The track has really suffered at the hands of 4×4 traffic and the right hand rut was very, very deep. This caused major problems as cars were leaning so far they were practically on their side. Some suffered damage, including Colin Perryman whose BMW ended up with damaged doors and rear quarter panel.
Ian Davis was the first class eight in the afternoon and described the ascent of Medicot as a nightmare. After a delay waiting for some trail bikes Ian hit a root, throwing the front of his buggy so high in the air it came out of the ruts and beached on the left hand bank. Ian managed to reverse a few yards and get going as there was plenty of traction. Delays built up, causing the section to be cancelled for classes six and seven but not before Stuart Harrold deranged his steering on the same root that caused a problem for Ian Davis.
The route round its way up the hills to the historic Allez ‘Oop, first used in 1939 and featured in C.A.N. Mays book Wheelspin. It was grass in those days but has a hard surface now. It was covered in snow and a delightful climb to the summit with its magnificent views where the class three and four competitors waited for each other and a had a snowball fight! Most of the entry got to the summit, but it wasn’t a class one friendly hill and three of them got a six.
The Harton Wood special test was all about time but the challenge at the Longville test was actually re-starting after the reverse. After last year most of the experienced competitors were ready for Longville and backed right down to make sure they cleaned the section, rather than worry about the time. Not Tristan White. He and Emma Flay risked a modest reverse and gave the Escort a blast. They made it in a huge cloud of rubber smoke but the time it took was probably as much as backing right down!
Ippikins Rock couldn’t be used this year because of logging, so the lower classes tackled Easthope 1 and 2. One was the section new for last year, two was new for this. It wasn’t very long, just a short blast up a gully and a sharp right turn up the bank. This was the events stopper and nobody was successful. Simon Woodall and Mick Workman were the most successful, both reaching the two. Overall winner Adrian Marfell scored four, the only marks he was to drop all day.
After Much Wenlock came The Jenny Wind, an old cable railway incline. This was slippery in the morning for the higher classes and only Andrew Martin in his Dutton Melos reached the summit. Fellow class seven driver Tony Branson didn’t get that far in Jonathan Toulmins Marlin which suffered a persistent misfire all day. Conditions had improved in the afternoon and there were some cleans. Adrian Marfell and Adrian Dommett reached the summit, So did Harvey Waters and the amazing Dave Haizelden in his Golf. The first time a Front Wheel Drive has achieved that distinction.
Harley Bank saw problems for Dick Bolt when the UJ on the end of his prop-shaft broke, possibly weakened when he broke his CWP on Simms. Fortunately Dick has a two piece shaft on his Escort and carries a spare, so he was able to change it and drive back to the finish although he had to retire. The higher classes had a different section too last year and Ian Davis couldn’t get across the frosty grass on the lower reaches, dropping six. Fellow Buggy driver Simon Woodall did well here, only losing two marks which gave him the class win.
Hungerford was the last section on the Eastern loop for the lower classes and is another to have suffered badly from 4×4 traffic. There were ground clearance problems, both on the section and the exit road, where even some of the class eights had to be towed out. Simon Groves was a little late in arriving at Hungerford, having had no less than four punctures. Because of the penalties on the Clee, for slipping back down the field, his fellow competitors let him back to his place at the head of the class. Simon duly let his tyres down, only to ground out his diff at the six, and had to reverse back down. Seeing this his classmates duly pumped their tyres up to give more ground clearance and cleaned the hill!
The higher classes had to tackle Meadowley, another historic Clee section, but again one that has suffered severe erosion. There was a tree root across the track, followed by a huge hole and that was as far as most competitors got. There were exceptions of course. Two of the flyweights came out the top and March Hare winner Andy Curtis did exceptionally well to get to the two, benefiting from the increased ground clearance he has generated by fitting dropped spindles to the front, even though it gives the buggy a pronounced nose up stance.
Despite the problems caused by the conditions, all the competitors signed off in daylight, and first man home Ian Davis was back at The Craven Arms by 2.30. This years Clee was more difficult than usual, both the snow and 4×4 damage taking their toll. It was still a success though. Beautiful views, historic sections and six different classes in the top ten, all a tribute to Jonathan Toulmin and his team.
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The first one-day trial was a close fought affair with Andrew Martin just piping Falcon’s Ian Davis to overall victory by one mark with Adrian Marfell close behind them in his Beetle. Andrew would have had a clean sheet but for failing to get away from line B on the Longville special test, along with most of the field! Ian managed this OK but dropped marks on The Jenny Wind and the restart on Harley Bank.
This years Clee was back in Jonathan and Pat Toulmin’s hands from Simon Woodhall and Barbera Selkirk who have been looking after it for a couple of years. Both teams have been steadily improving the event since it restarted around ten years ago. This year it was organised with a very compact route based at Craven Arms. The entry was split into two. Classes 6, 7 and 8 headed North to Rattlinghope, doing battle with the frosty and icey road over The Long Mynd on the way. Going up was bad but Stuart Harrold reported that coming down was positively hairy! The majority of competitors were cleaned this first loop although Meadowley claimed a few scalps including Roger Bricknell, EricWall and Dave Nash who had Neil Bray passengering for him in The Skeetle, fearing that his MGeetle might prove to much for the purists in the MAC!
Jonathan Toulmin had incorporated a couple of new sections. Walkmill had John Sargeant in charge and was a nice track up to the village of Wentnor. Medicot seemed awfully familiar and turned out to be the approach road to Clee regular Astone with some very deep ruts to conquer.
Returning to Craven Arms the second loop was to decide the trial, particularly the controversial Longville Special Test. The track was smooth enough and it seemed simple enough on the route card. “With front wheels on Line AA, at drop of flag, drive forward until all wheels have crossed line BB. Reverse until all wheels have crossed behind line BB. Drive forward and stop astride line CC.
The only thing was that line B-B was a steep slope of polished stones with very little grip and it was very difficult to get away. Nobody in class 7 made it and only a couple of the class 8’s, including Ian Davis, Paul Bartleman and Simon Woodhall who all retained clean sheets.
The trial was decided in the next few sections. Ian Davis went into the lead when he cleaned the new section Easthope after a keen eyed marshal spotted Paul Bartleman making a momentary stop. Then Ian stopped on both The Jenny Wind and Harley Bank, which left him with 7 marks dropped. Meanwhile down in class 7 Andrew Martin had been cleaning everything in his Dutton Melos apart from the Easthope special test. This put him one mark in front of Ian and overall victory.
The lower classes started with the eastern loop so The Longville Special test was their first section. Again this was a major problem for most of the competitors although Adrian Marfell managed to burn away while Michael Leete dropped right back before making a clean assault. Adrian did very well on the new Eastcote section and also managed the tight hairpin on Ippikins Rock, which was the downfall of all class 4 apart from Adrian and Giles Greenslade. Simon Groves also failed here putting him behind Harvey Walters and John Cox in class 3.
Adrian did very well to clean The Jenny Wind the only car in the lower classes to do so apart from Dudley Sterry who was driving Barry Clarkes Austin Seven on The Clee.
The loop over The Long Mynd didn’t cause to many problems for the lower classes although there was a surprise at Gattens Gamble when Ducley Sterry stopped at the six to loose the lead in class two to Jeremy Flann.
Competitors arrived at the last section with Adrian Marfel leading the trial overall having only lost 4 marks at Eastcote. This is a real Beetle Hill, a pretty straight drag through the muddy ruts. All the Beetles went clean apart from one and that was Adrian who stopped at the four, dropping to third overall and handing the lead of the trial to Andrew Martin.
The first competitors finished not much after 2 pm so JonathansToulmin’s plans to minimise delays were an outstanding success.
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