Mark Coombes

Winter Series trials Championship kicks off at Sweetwater Brook

Wayne shares this latest report from the Isle of Wight Motorcycle Club. Ed


The Isle of Wight Motorcycle Club’s Winter Series trials Championship resumed on Sunday 4th September at Sweetwater Brook, Calbourne, courtesy of Mr Trevor Strickland.

The Club would like to welcome, new member, Kevin Smith and we look forward to seeing him at future events.

Perfect trial
A perfect ride by relative newcomer Rob Howard (pictured below) in the Expert class who completed the trial without dropping a single mark.

Excellent work Rob – not even the tricky section seven beat him! Simon Newnham and Mick Brown finished second and third respectively. The well contested Intermediate Class was won by course setter Mark Coombes with a loss of fifteen. Andy Scott-Jackson snatched second place from Malcolm Hawkins in third.

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Rob Howard by Viki Taylor

The Novice class produced another close finish by Championship contenders Brian Brockwell and Paul Kent. Brian took the spoils forcing Paul into second place. Paul was leading going into the final lap, sections seven and eight made all the difference.

It was really good to see Alan Gosden competing in the Twin shocks which turned out to be the closest contest of the day. Alan took the win from Nick Symes in second, section seven proved pivotal – only one mark between them. Stewart Freeman picked up his five Championship points for his third place finish.

John Townsend took the win in the British bike class, John did very well to pilot his rather heavy Triumph machine around the tight and twisty sections. Steve Chase earned himself ten Championship points in the Adult Beginner’s. Kevin Smith entered the Sportsman class on this his first IOWmcc trial and despite finding some of the sections quite challenging, kept going to complete the trial.

Youth riders
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Harrison Crickmore by Viki Taylor

Three Youth Beginners, the first two were separated by just a single mark! Harrison Crickmore (pictured above) just held on to take the win from Alfie Haydon in second.

Josh Morris earned third place in his first ever ride at Sweetwater – very well done to all three riders.

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Alfie Haydon by Viki Taylor

With thanks
The Club would like to thank Trevor Strickland for welcoming us back to this brilliant venue. The riders were faced with four laps of eight, interesting and technical, sections.

Many thanks to Mark Coombes and Geoff Taylor who between them cleared the ground and set some creative sections. Viki Taylor was on hand to photograph the action for all to see – Thanks Viki.

Next meet
The next round will be held on Sunday 18th September at 12 noon. The venue is still to be confirmed, please check the Club Website nearer the time where the full details will be available.

The Club now has a confirmed date for next year’s 50th golden anniversary Wight Two Day trial. 22nd and 23rd April 2017. Once again please check the Website regularly for the full details – of what will be a rather special event.

Image: © Viki Taylor