Report: Northallerton DMC
By Team TMX on 11th Feb 16
Father and son Paul and Richard Sadler from Richmond would enjoy a natter over a well-earned Sunday dinner following Northallerton DMC's tough Chequers Trial where they dominated strong Expert and Clubman B classes.
Held high above Osmotherly in true rambler country, clerk of course Nigel Rooksby used the natural terrain to full advantage for a two-lap, 18-section course, with a crop of more than 20 Experts and Inters among the entry, unheard of in this centre, unless a national.
It has to be said, observers, the true backbone of this sport, deserve medals as on a bitterly cold day, they stuck doggedly to their task. Sadler began well on the drop down, then uphill climb over the rock step of the first, the only rider unpenalised, with Tom Affleck, Matt Maynard and John Crinson on one.
Sadler cleaned the next two, as did Affleck and Chilton, but the plunge downhill and full blooded climb of the fourth caught Chilton for five on his first lap.
It also grabbed three off second place man Dan Peace, as Sadler, Affleck and, not to be outridden, young Jack Peace, proved best on one lost.
Sadler somehow hung on for a fantastic clean on the wicked looking rock step of Harold Wilson's first lap, but needed one second visit.
There were also good rides here for Olly Kendra and Jack Stones on one lost.
Peace the elder proved master on a clean sheet, while at the last, where Keith Ellis observed secreted away in the deep rocky gully, Sadler, fived second lap.
Chris Barnfather topped the Intermediates again with a solid ride as Ian Hopley and John Benton fought for runner-up, Hopley shading it by one mark after Benton lost six marks on the seventh hazard.
Two elder statesmen of the trials game with many years experience and major trophies on the shelf, topped A class – Phil Alderson and Roger Williams – leaving the younger Richard Fawcett in third.
Paul Sadler finished well clear in B class, Mark Summer and Dave Wardell having a rare old battle for runner up berth, Summer finally edging it by a couple of marks, as Phil Clough and Richard Mee moved up the results with solid rides.
Andy Keel showed the Fantic's still grip well, cleaning the awkward, greasy rut of the first section on each lap to win Twin Shock class, his score matching the modern machinery of third and fourth-placed men in B class.
It was tight for second place as Richard Jackson kept his nose in front of the battling Steve Currey, aboard the little Moto Gori, that sometimes appeared not to have enough guts to ever lose grip. Good ride from Steve.
Results
Expert: Richard Sadler (Beta) 9 marks dropped, Dan Peace (Gas Gas) 18, Tom Affleck (Sherco) 21.
Intermediate: Chris Barnfather (Gas Gas) 53, Ian Hopley (Gas Gas) 70, John Benton (?) 71.
Clubman A: Philip Alderson (Gas Gas) 6, Roger Williams (Yamaha) 11, Richard Fawcett (Sherco) 20.
Cluibman B: Paul Sadler (Beta) 19, Mark Summer (Beta) 32, Dave Wardell (Beta) 34.
Twin-shock: Andy Keel (Fantic) 36, Richard Jackson (Fantic) 52, Steve Currey (Moto Gori) 55.
