Thanks to Wayne for this latest report from the Isle of Wight Motorcycle Club. Ed
This year introducing roadwork for some riders. Trials riding on the Island has been exclusively all off-road for a little over 30 years. The return to road work is in preparation of the event’s golden anniversary Trial in 2017.
Saturday’s sections were at Knighton Sand Pit and Bembridge Down. Riders taking part on the road had to complete ten sections at Knighton and ten at Bembridge before returning to Knighton.
Riders not taking part on the road completed three laps at Knighton. Sunday’s sections were at Cheverton Chalk Pit, Shorwell Chalk Pit and Haslett Farm.
The Club would like to thank Mr Roger Morgan, The Taylor Family, Rowena Von Albedeyll, Ralph Cook and Glen Draper for the kind use of their land.
Will West triumphs
The overall winner of the trial was Island rider Will West (pictured), taking part in the Twin Shock, hard route (class 1) with roadwork, losing just 11 marks for the weekend. Rory Stephens and Nick Symes finishing in second and third respectively.
Ian Pemberdy of the Normandy Club had arguably the best ride of the weekend (pre-65 class 3) managing to complete the entire trial on his BSA Bantam without losing a single mark – excellent achievement.
Andy Scott Jackson headed up the open, hard group (class 5) with a fine performance finishing with a loss of 35, with Stuart Gummer not too far away in second – both riders from the IOWmcc.
Great performances from mainland riders
The all off-road hard (class 7) was won by mainland rider Paul Nash of the Southend and District mcc with a total of just nine for the weekend. Paul was tied with Rob Fleet, Bexleyheath mcc, after the first day both on four marks lost. Rob finished in a respectable sixth place in a class with 17 riders. Chris Every of Southend and District mcc finished second with Simon Newnham (IOWmcc) in third.
Michael Graves (Waltham Chase mcc) took a convincing win in class eight from Islanders Mike Taylor and Jon Croft who had to settle for second and third places.
Youth riders
Island Youth star Jos Wright found himself in a battle with Tom Norris of Bexleyheath in class nine (Youth Hard). Jos had a good advantage after day one and managed to keep ahead of Tom to take the win. Jos finished on 71 with Tom on 112 – good effort by both riders.
Another Island youth rider, Jacob Furnell competing on his Beta 80cc machine also put in a solid performance over the two days. Although riding unopposed in the Youth Easy (class 10) he earned the win finishing on 107 for the weekend.
Thank yous
I would like to say a special thank you to all the Observers who displayed good patience having to wait for those out on the road to return for their last lap on each day – brilliant effort.
The Club held a raffle for the Observers on each day to show its appreciation. Thanks also to Terry Graves (ACU Southern Centre Steward) who once again gave up his weekend to officiate and keep us all in check!
The full results are available from the Club’s website. Our next Club trial (Summer Series 1st round) is on Sunday 24th May at 12 noon. The venue is still to be confirmed.
Image: © Viki Taylor
