Report: Gerald Simpson Trial
By John Dickinson on 18th May 16
GUY Kendrew was on top form last Sunday, the Beta rider taking the Premier award in the Gerald Simpson Trophy Trial, staged by the Richmond MCC in the Yorkshire Dales.
Guy dropped just three marks – all single dabs – over a superb single-lap, 40-section course set over a 30-mile route which traversed Coverdale which started and finished at Carlton, near Leyburn.
With such a great history behind it, the Gerald Simpson was once a National sidecar event, it was no surprise that more than 130 riders signed-up for what they knew would be a great day, and with good weather and plenty of dry rocky becks to go at what was there not to like. The majority opted for the Clubman course and were rewarded with sections that were absolutely spot-on but you would expect nothing less with local farmer Steve Lambert and associates marking out.
The first real test for the Experts was the tenth which was only cleaned by Guy, Richard Sadler, Danny Gamble and Russell Cannel.
Richard was having his first ride for several months following a serious eye injury but luckily all is now looking good and a couple more outings should see Richard back to his National winning best.
And he was enjoying the usual jousting with his pals Guy and James Stones, Jimmy just sneaking second place from Richard on the day.
Richard's downfall was the 18th hazard, up the lane from the pub at Horsehouse dropping a big five as the Beta rider literally lost the plot!
Guy took the only clean and was always favourite for the Premier from there on.
He was clearly on form as he also cleaned the previous hazard, joined only by Montesa mounted Will Reynolds and Russ Cannel's Beta.
There was another stunner in store just along the road at the 22nd where Clubmen were encouraged to knock the slime off the stony beck while the Experts were then faced with an extra 20 yards containing a really gnarly dry waterfall.
It didn't look possible at first but then James Stones arrived, fortified after a refreshing lemonade obtained in Horsehouse, and pioneered a new line to the left, effectively straight-lining the section up over tree roots, escaping for an applauded dab.
That was then the line and veteran Phil Alderson followed suit with a confident ride on his Gas Gas. Guy then dropped the first of his three marks before Richard bagged the only clean of the section.
Guy went on to drop just two ore odd dabs on section 30 and the penultimate 39th hazard to take a comfortable victory with James just pipping Richard while a few marks further back Phil Alderson got the better of Will Reynolds, Danny Gamble and Roger Williams.
The mighty Clubman entry were treated to a virtually perfect set of sections with the clear winner being Peter Brown who cast just seven marks away, all in single dabs. This put him three clear of the chasing pack headed by Adrian Harrison and Les Richardson, while Richard Hawes, Carl Shaw and Trevor Willans contrived to drop 14 marks apiece.
So bang-on were the Clubman sections that 29th finisher, Low Row trials dealer Andrew Brown who rode a really nice 240 Fantic twinshock, dropped exactly 29 marks while Robin Luscombe, struggling to tame a Beta after riding a Triumph Cub in the Scottish Two Day, finished 31st on 30 marks lost.
All in all a virtually perfect day's sport with thanks to all involved, especially land owners, the observers and route markers which all made for another Richmond club success.
