You have stumbled on a delightful box of tricks, Classic Trials & other perverse stuff from Michael Leete. MCC ACTC and other trials. VW Beetles, Dellows, Marlins, or even Suzuki X90's
A Tough Trial with only four marks separating the top ten cars. Restarts and deviations made it challenging for Class Eight and only Tom Jones broke into the top ten to gain Wheelspin points.
Minehead Motor Club restarted the season after the summer break and Clerk of the Course Paul Merson had worked hard to create some exacting sections in the inevitable dry conditions. He succeeded and there was a closely fought battle amongst the cars with Neal Vile and Paul Watson ending the trial on 17 points in Class 90 X90 and Class 7 Hillman Imp respectively.
Continue reading “Exmoor Clouds win for Neal Vile in his X90”Charlie Merson was second and Jack Selwood third on a day dominated by lightweight front engined Class Eights
Paul Merson and his team returned the Exmoor Clouds to the roads this year after a couple of years as a Covid imposed single venue event. They were rewarded by a full entry including no less than 20 Class Eight Cars.
Wins for Tristan Barnicoat and Duncan Stephens
Run last year as a Single Venue Event Minehead Motor Club had planned to run a road trial this year. Unfortunately there were problems a few weeks before the event and the route had to be confined to the extensive Headon Woods. Tristan Barnicoat dominated the Motorcycles while Duncan Stephens had a hard fight with Charlie Merson and Stewart Green to win the cars.
Continue reading “Exmoor Clouds Restarts Season”Classic Trialling resumed in the current difficult Covid situation with Minehead MC running their event at a single venue.
Classic Trialling came to a halt after the Launceston Trial in March due to Covid 19. With the Government, Motorsport UK and ACU restrictions to contend with Minehead MC were able to run the Exmoor Clouds as a single venue event in Headon Woods. Unfortunately the event couldn’t cater for bikes and sidecars. The other big change was that drivers could run without passengers if they wished as crews from different passengers would have to wear a face mask.
It was tee shirt weather but there was quite a bit of mud around and even getting to the sections proved challenging at times.
Continue reading “Nick Farmer wins Single Venue Exmoor Clouds”Adrian Marfell won the first ACTC trial after the enforced break with a clear run on the Exmoor Clouds. He was chased hard all day by Paul Bartleman in his new Troll and Dudley Sterry in his venerable MG.
As in 2000, this year’s Exmoor Clouds started at the Ralegh’s Cross Inn high on the Brendon Hills. Unlike last year though the morning dawned bright and sunny and the 52 motorcycle and 66 car competitors enjoyed beautiful autumn sunshine all day. The hills were in prime condition after a wet week and although one or two of the old favourites were missing, due to foot and mouth precautions, the route was similar to that used in the last couple of years.
After a gentle opener in the form of Steep Lane, the trial moved on to Port Lane where considerable delays built up as the motorcyclists tackled (with varying degrees of success) this long classic section. Five saloons saw the section ends board although only four cleaned the hill. The fifth, driven by William Rosen, was judged to have stopped lower down and then got moving again – a pity as it is some achievement to get an Imp over the rock steps at the top on tiny 12″ wheels.
The next three hills were to prove decisive. The first, Northmoor, was very muddy at the bottom with a deviation off the main track to the restart line, which stopped three quarters of Class 8. The usual suspects went clear and were joined by Paul Bartleman in what was listed as a Ford Special but what everyone else seems to call the ‘Cream Cracker’ Troll.
Following on from Northmoor was the first Special test of the day where Bill Foreshew threw the GVS II round in style to set FTD. Ski Slope was next and with the sun warming the grass, we had hopes of getting off the steep and slippery restart. These were soon dashed as the hill proved to be in fine form with a sticky patch lower down which stopped all the saloons bar one – David Turner’s BMW. He was joined at the top by Tommy Kalber in his Dutton and just three Class 8 specials – eventual winner Adrian Marfell, Dudley Sterry (after some determined bouncing) and local man David Dyer in a Canon who made it look easy, despite having shifted his rear axle on Port Lane. Falcon’s Murray and Hazel Mac were marshalling on the hill and Murray described how one special had almost rolled when attempting to climb the bank up to the restart – apparently only the fact that the spare wheel carrier had dug into the ground stopped it from flipping over backwards.
Pin Quarry followed and in contrast to Ski Slope, where the whole hill can be seen from the bottom, the start was out of sight. Not many cars saw the top either, most being stopped by a muddy bank or the hollow that followed immediately after. Following the route thereafter was also something of a challenge as it twisted and turned PCT-style up to the top of the old section. We met a Dellow driver at the top who arrived from a completely different direction but was convinced he’d cleaned the hill!
Allercott also had something of the PCT about it starting downhill and after climbing slightly descending further before the steep rutted grassy slope at the finish. Having made a mess of this last year, I was determined to blast straight up the final slope. All went well until the 5 marker landed on the bonnet, followed shortly by the 4 marker! I suppose the marshal gamely jumping into our path to vainly try and direct us up the left hand side should have given the game away but we weren’t the only ones to be caught out by the subtle route-marking and the penalties incurred for striking marker posts.
On to Middlecombe Woods where the first of two sections featured another downhill start to a wide left hand bend and then a long roller coaster climb with a choice of routes at the six marker – either a tight squeeze between two stout trees or round to the left. Although fairly straightforward for class 8, no car cleared the section from Classes 1-7 and delays again built up. The situation wasn’t helped when the recovery vehicle got into difficulty trying to reach the Hazelden Golf and took a full half-hour to get mobile again.
The second Middlecombe section proved less challenging, much to the relief of most of the field who had cleared only two or three sections by this stage – two thirds of the way through the trial! Land’s End section Hindon also proved easy this year. The good relations Dick Hutchins and the team have with the locals were in evidence here as farmer and family was sat in the sunshine spectating. Apparently, the key to Dick’s success (he has something like 40 hills to chose from) is the invitation to the club’s annual dinner extended to the landowners of the sections used each year
Not far from Minehead, the slippery tree roots at the top of Avill Ball stopped all the saloons and most of the bikes although most in Class 8 managed to avoid the large stump at the top and clean the section.
On to Tarr Cot, which proved a real challenge for the saloons, only Clive Kalber in his Escort and Giles Greenslade going clear to secure their respective class wins. There appeared to be some communication problem here as some cars were sent off while others were coming back down having failed. Clearly not ideal, especially as you need to press on a bit to get across an adverse camber half way up… Those who made the top uninterrupted were treated to a glorious view over the Bristol Channel to South Wales.
Down through Roadwater and along the old mineral line to what looked like abandoned Iron ore workings for the final two stages – one for class 8 and one for everyone else. Getting to the start of these sections required climbing a track, which could serve as a section in itself. Unfortunately it proved too challenging for some of the saloons, especially as most arrived well after nightfall and their section was rightly cancelled – this area definitely not being somewhere to get stuck in the dark. Class 8 arrived earlier, however, and were able to tackle a long steep section with big drops to the right hand side and a slippery grassy finish which stopped most of the class. We gave it death and were pleased to get to the top only to see Adrian Marfell cruise up in second gear to complete the only clear round of the day and a well-deserved victory. Paul Bartleman finished a fine second, having dropped only 3 points, with Dudley Sterry a couple of seconds behind on special test times.
All in all a great day’s sport for us in class 8 – all the more so after an enforced close season of 8 months. For those in some of the other classes though it must have been a very long (and in places rough) day with the last competitor finishing at 8.30pm and then facing the drive home.
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
For as long as most people can remember the Clouds has been based at the Minehead Barbarians rugby club. This year, however, the event started and finished at the Ralegh’s Cross Inn, high up on Exmoor. This new venue was chosen partly because it could offer hot food and drink and partly because for the last few years there has been a cycling event starting and finishing at the rugby club on the day of the trial. You can imagine the organisers’ surprise when they found out that the Ralegh’s Cross Inn was being used as the headquarters for a huge (1,000+ riders) mountain bike orienteering event on the same weekend as the trial!
When Dick Hutchings and other members of Minehead MC were marking the sections out on the day before the trial they discovered to their horror that not only were the mountain bikers using the pub but most of his sections as well. Luckily on the day of the trial the mountain bikers had moved on to other areas and we saw very little of them on the trial itself.
47 motorbikes and nearly 60 cars started the trial this year, more than in previous years when the trial’s rough, tough reputation has probably kept entries down. Although this is deepest Troll country you wouldn’t have known it as the only one entered (that of fellow Falconer Dave Alderson) didn’t start. Where have they all gone? Instead, Class 8 looked like a meeting of the buggy owner’s club with 9 of the 19 vehicles in this class being VW based! With the exception of the escort boys in class 3 the saloon entries were pretty thin on the ground with only Nigel Allen turning out in class 6.
With a different start venue we also got a new route; although it featured mostly the same hills as in 1998 and 1999 they all appeared in a different order. The first hill for the bikes and classes 6, 7 & 8 was Steep Lane with a restart for class 8. The hill itself was fairly straightforward but the route to it down a steep grassy field was very slippery.
The next section for us was Port Lane. To my mind this is one of the best sections on the entire trials calendar; a long, sunken lane with deep mud, ruts and a huge rock slab near the top. Thanks to the heavy rain in the preceding weeks, much of the usual mud had been washed down the hill and into the village at the bottom. Although there was plenty of grip this year the resulting gullies meant that only solos and Class 8 were allowed to tackle the section.
Following an ‘impossible’ restart for classes 7 & 8 in 1998, Northmoor seems to have got progressively easier. The section itself was followed by the first special test which involved a quick blast round a corner to line B, a short reverse over line C and a longer forward section around a tree and over a bump to stop astride line D. I’m not sure if it was the mist or the reversing that caused confusion here but quite a few lost their way and failed to record a time. As the stop watch was giving the time-keeper some trouble the car in front of us got two attempts at the test. We thought we’d ask for another go if we didn’t record a fast time but the timekeeper told us that we had done the best time so far so we didn’t argue!
A few miles further on and we joined the queue for South Hill. Although not that steep, once away from the start (on tarmac), the section was very slippery with a deep rut on the right at about the 7 marker and a tight hairpin just before the restart. The rut seemed to attract quite a few cars and once in, it must have taken some effort to get out of again.
There was also quite a deep gully by the side of the road, as Thomas Bricknell found out when he parked his dad’s Vincent in it, leaving the offside wheel at a very peculiar angle and the diff on the ground. Judging by the look on Roger’s face as he ran back up the road it may be some time before we see Thomas behind the wheel of this trials car again…as the results show though, the Vincent seems to like this treatment as Roger finished a fine fourth overall. Charlie Shopland (first gear again – modification on its way) and Arthur Vowden were less fortunate and both retired here.
Ski Slope was next and only those who haven’t seen it will be wondering why it is so named. Dead straight and formidably steep, this section was to take points off all but 3 car entrants although most bikes cleaned it OK. Classes 1-5 tackled the hill non-stop (in theory) whilst 6 & 7 had a restart on the steepest part of the track. We were lucky enough to see one of the few clears as Nigel Allen blasted the big Beetle off the restart to clear the hill impressively. The class 8 restart was situated on slippery grass to the side of the track and although a few heroes got out of the ruts, over the bank and onto the restart line, none managed to clear it and get back to the main track.
A bit downhearted at losing our first points of the day, we moved on to Pin Quarry which we usually manage to get up. Each year the hill takes a different route and this year after a blind start on a stony track the hill turned sharp left and up a steep muddy bank. We didn’t give it quite enough right foot and ended up stuck at the 8 marker. Five other class 8 cars cleaned the section but for the rest of the field 9’s and 10’s were the order of the day.
If not enough right foot was the problem at Pin Quarry, too much was definitely our downfall on the 7th section, Allercott, and after fishtailing from side to side across the hill we ended up all crossed up at the 2 marker. Due to the heavy rain the muddy dip was bypassed this year and the section started fairly flat before turning left and becoming steeper and more rutted.
The classes divided after Allercott, with solo’s and class 8 going straight on to a new section called Muddlecombe and the rest heading off for Ewart’s Pickle (aka Slade Lane). When I first saw this in the route card it seemed odd as Ewart’s Pickle is usually one of the roughest sections on the trial but Dick Hutchings explained later on that the council had recently graded the section with loose chippings (it is a RUPP). We didn’t see the hill itself but the results show that this was the only hill not to claim a point from a single competitor.
All classes met up again for section 9, Muddlecombe. This section was a late substitute for Middlecombe woods as the woodland was hosting a motorcross event which had been postponed by the fuel crisis in late September, hence the name. Entry to the section required traversing a steep grassy field, which proved as much of a challenge to some as the section itself! Adrian Dommett and Dave Hazelden were just two who suffered punctures on the adverse camber. After a sharp right hairpin the section climbed steeply up the side of the hill behind Land’s End section Hindon, with a surface of slippery grass and bracken. Only two cleans were achieved, by Dudley Sterry and Roger Bricknell.
It was only a few yards down the lane to the next section, the aforementioned Hindon, with the usual slippery grass at the top and restart for classes 6, 7 & 8. Aville Ball followed shortly after and, although the route directions to it were more straightforward this year than last, someone had removed a direction marker within the woods. Very helpful! This is another very long hill, steep and slippery towards the end with a restart for solo’s and 8’s at the top under the trees. The bikes really struggled on this one with only eventual winners Michael Crocker and Trevor Griffiths getting up it on their Yamaha outfit. Although most 7’s and 8’s got up, only three saloons did so – the escorts of Tommy Kalber and Philip Roberts and Nigel Allen’s big-engined Beetle.
Vinegar Hill, another steep forestry section, also caused the bikes quite a few problems although most cars managed to get through OK.
With the night starting to draw in we moved on to the special test at Maddocks which must be one of the longest and most enjoyable around (especially for pretend rally drivers). We were determined to record a fast time here, as this is where Tony Young won the overall award from us last year. We got to the top in just over 29 seconds and were quite pleased with that (although it didn’t mean a lot as we had by now dropped more points than in the previous three years put together). The timekeeper told us that the fastest time was under 27 seconds and then added ‘he was flying’. He must have been! Not surprisingly, ‘he’ turned out to be Tony Young and fast special test times again won him the overall award from fellow ‘Big Wheeler’ Adrian Dommet.
Just down the road was Druids, which this year was for bikes and car classes 6, 7 & 8 only due to the deep, deep muddy ruts. Those with good ground clearance generally got to the restart at the 6 marker and then sank, those with less clearance grounded out further down at the 9 or 10 marker – so the other saloon drivers didn’t miss out on too much. I suspect Nigel Allen may agree as after a strong run he dropped 9 here and then 12 each on the final two sections suggesting the Beetle developed a problem somewhere nearby. First car Adrian Marfell, in his Fiat(?)/VW special, excelled here to reach the two marker, whilst the amazing outfit of Michael Crocker/Trevor Griffiths went two better to record the only clean of the day.
The penultimate section of the day was at Tarr Cott and was another very long section (you certainly get value for money on this event!). This section climbs up the side of a deep Exmoor valley and seems to finish right on the top of the moor but few competitors got that far and long delays built up. The problem was an adverse camber section with a deep gully on the left, which the start marshal described, to us in glorious Technicolor. This rather un-nerved Lesley in the passenger seat but before she could clamber out of the car we were off and she spent most of the time on the way up looking for the gully which had been described so dramatically to us! A handful in classes 7 & 8 made it to the top together with only 2 saloons – another great climb for Dave Hazleden in the GTI and a class winning effort for Harvey Waters in his Escort.
On to the final section Tim Wood, now in total darkness, which was a new find close to the start/finish pub. After a very muddy start, which stopped a high proportion of the entry, the section divided to the left for classes 6, 7 & 8 and to the right for the rest (or should that be for Giles Greenslade as his was the only saloon to pass the 9 marker). We couldn’t see very well here – I’m not sure if this was down to the pathetically low output of the buggy’s dynamo or because the headlights were liberally coated with mud. After a close encounter with a tree in the lower reaches we got to the 5 marker but Tony Young and Adrian Dommet must have much better electrics (or they must eat a lot more carrots) as they were the only two carrying enough speed to clean the section.
In conclusion, another a great Exmoor Clouds and, after the dry events of the last few years, one which was very challenging. Now with slicker organisation and slightly less rough sections than when I first started doing it (in the mid 1980s), it may be time for some of those who stayed away this year to consider putting the event in next year’s diary. Better make sure your lights are working though because it still finishes in the dark!
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
by Murray MacDonald
I gave the Exmoor Clouds a miss this year in favour of Falcons Brickhill Trial. However, Falcon were represented by Murray MacDonald – This is how he got on……………..
We managed to win our class despite errors on Luccott and Druids. But for these we believe our score could have been two, or even less. Owen (Briggs) was a non-starter as he had the flu. David Alderson didn’t have such a good day this year and was particularly unlucky to be docked two on Port Lane.
Incidentally, now we’ve reached the top, having failed on the lower reaches last year, we can see Port Lane is a Mega Hill. It has the lot! It’s steep, rough, loose in places, has gullies cambers, and rock steps. Not many saloons reached the top. Even Paul Bartleman dropped his only score on this one (2). We of course were the only class four to the top!
Glenthorne , the hill by the sea, was cancelled again this year. After a very long wait, during which the entire field had arrived, it was called-off for all except seven and eight. This meant an about turn, so we ended up one of the first cars on the road, just the same as last year. But we still didn’t finish ‘till 6.45 pm. My guess is that the late runners probably finished around 9pm.. The last pair of hills was cancelled due to the event running late. The Minehead club and it’s officials certainly have a laid-back approach! With all the stories regarding the drop from the section I’m glad we didn’t have to attempt it.
When we arrived at Vinegar hill, where we had our incident last year, we were greeted like old friends. Yes, it was the same crew of official’s who immediately recognised us. The start line marshal (who was not present last year) said he had been told all about our problem. It’s strange how things change year to year. The hill was nothing like we remembered it, and we powered our way up.
Luccott caught us unawares. The hill started on the level, went up a gradual incline to a tight ninety left, halfway round which appeared to be an almost vertical rock slab. I failed to go wide enough to get round the corner. Most class four’s made it. Oh! I forgot the punctures. We had one on the motorway on the way, which left us with one spare. So we had to proceed with considerable caution. We had another puncture on Steep Lane, so now I had no spares. Then we had another one on Ewarts Pickle. Luckily Adrian Marfell was kind enough to lend us his last spare, having had two punctures himself, to get home on. Paul Bartleman had three punctures on the first four hills and a total of four by the end. Dennis Greenslade (our hero) told me he has only retired from two classics when driving Beetles. Once when he bent a strut on his 1302 and once when he had three punctures on the Exmoor Clouds! Since then he ha generally carried three spares.
We also won a special award on Ewarts Pickle (Slade Lane). A hill difficult to describe. It has ruts, cambers, is steep and has PCT content. Quite an achievement to clean it. Because of my second puncture I darn’t go too low on pressures from Steep Lane on. Druids was a very greasy grass track (I know now but didn’t at the time). In my opinion the Beetle needed 8 psi. Perhaps next year! There was the normal enormous green lane mileage, a feature of this event. It really was a great adventure again, can’t wait till next year. But Hazel and I think we would stay down for the Saturday and Sunday night (we didn’t get home ‘till midnight).
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
Classical Gas 