CHELTENHAM HOME GUARD MCC

Report by Steve Venn

On Monday 2nd January 2012 the club held its popular “easy” New Year’s trial at Hazleton. Over 100 competitors came from far and wide, to enjoy a steady start to the season.

New Non-stop ruling

The hardy CHG observers braced themselves for the cold biting Cotswold wind to start the year of Non-Stop trials with this club. Riders and observers were briefed that the sections were set out without the need to stop but many of the riders; old, young, experienced or first timers, were still caught for unexpected 5’s. This upset a few but the return to Non-Stop rules was generally welcomed and the cue’s at sections and the time to complete the 3 laps of 13 sections was shorter as a result.

The results

Our welcome friends from Oxford and Wales figured prominently in the results, with Scott and Rob Faulkner just being pipped for the premier by a steady and calculated ride by Nigel Tomkins, casting a single dab on his last lap.

The only clean ride of the day was by well travelled trial bike stalwart Nibbs Adams (Beta Alp) on the popular Sportsman route, with fellow Welshman Nigel Smith best Pre-65 on just one mark lost. It was very close at the top of the sportsman results with 5 riders losing just 1 mark.

Pre-65 ace Ken O’Brien was well on the way to a clean sheet for the day, but as he was thanking the observer on the penultimate section he missed a gate to lose 5 marks, his only loss for the day.

 Fond farewell to Hazleton venue?

Sadly this is probably the last time we will be able to use this old quarry as the new owner is planning to develop the land. We have over the years had an exceptionally good relationship with the locals and land owners in Hazleton and as the new owner was impressed with the general fun, good conduct and low impact on the land our sport has, we are hopeful for the future.

Results:

Clubman Route

Position	Name	Bike	Score
Winner:	Nigel Tomkins	(Beta)	1 mark lost (fc)
R/UP:	Scott Faulkner	(T/S Yam)	1 mark lost
Best T/S:	Rob Faulkner	(Yam)	2 marks lost
Over 40:	Dave Morris	(Gas Gas)	7 marks lost
S/B:	Ben Hayes	(Gas Gas)	7 marks lost

50/50

Position	Name	Bike	Score
Best:	Graham Stagg	(T/S)	9 mark lost
O/50:	Graham Harris	(Mont)	22 marks lost
Novice:	Peter Cotton		27 marks lost
S/B:	Callum Partridge		101 marks lost

Sportsman Route

Position	Name	Bike	Score
Best:	Nibbs Adams	(Alp)	clean
Pre 65:	Nigel Smith	(BSA)	clean (fc)
=	Mark Wheeler		clean (fc)
=	Alex Ross		clean
Novice:	Paul Rogers	(Beta)	1 mark lost
Over 60:	David Brown	(Beta)	4 marks lost
Best Lady:	Sandra Cotton		7 marks lost
Best Youth:	Izzy Saunders	(Beta)	7 marks lost
Trail Bike:	Jonny Edmonds	(Gas Gas)	10 marks lost
T/S:	Gary Wooster	(Yam)	10 marks lost