Report: Red Rose Classic
By TMX Archives on 8th Jul 16
OWEN Hardisty emerged top of the class on his Bultaco after a closely-fought round six of Red Rose Classic MCCs championship at Walsden.
Hardisty saw off the competition in the 13-strong Twin-shock expert class, dropping just 15 marks after four laps of ten sections at the compact but picturesque hilltop venue, near Todmorden.
Course plotters, former Pre-65 Scottish winner Paul Heys and his father Max, made the most of the rugged terrain, which overlooks the Calderdale Valley, with the sections taking in grassy bankings, hillocks and rocky outcrops.
Section three was typical Walsden, with riders threading their way left and right along an innocuous grassy track lined with rocks and stones, before a steep right-hand climb to the exit flags.
Although heavy rain in the week prior to the trial had little effect on the well-drained land, grip on the rough grass was still at a premium – especially for those riders who got off-line.
But, for the second event in succession, it was section nine that caused most problems for all the competitors, including Hardisty, who lost 12 of his 15 marks there.
The vastly-experienced David Wilkinson finished second in class T to Hardisty, losing 20 marks on his Honda, with Geoff Potts (Fantic) four behind.
Club secretary Andrew Scott won class C on his Tiger Cub, edging out Dave Ingram (BSA) by four marks. But Scott too fell victim to the notorious nine, losing half his 22 penalties in the section.
Stewart Ormesher rounded off the top three with 47 marks on his BSA, while sole entrant Alan Taylor had a clear run to victory in class B on his Royal Enfield.
Just one mark separated first and second in class Ce, with 13 marks proving lucky for Peter McCawley and his James ahead of clerk-of-the-course Max Heys (Bantam) and the BSA of Paul Macdonald in third place. Class D front-runner Andy Hesketh had a great rider on his Terrier to beat Paul Harrison and his Banvil by a healthy 23 marks.
In the popular Twin-shock clubman class, Te, Peter Gaunt was near-unbeatable with the loss of only two marks, with John Wilson (Yamaha) right behind him on four. Malcolm Bell (Bultaco) finished third a further ten marks adrift.
Their next trial is on August 21, at Noyna, near Colne (BB8 7QW).
Results
Class B: Alan Taylor (Royal Enfield) 43.
Class C: Andrew Scott (Cub) 22, Dave Ingram (BSA) 24, Stewart Ormesher (BSA) 47.
Class Ce: Peter McCawley (James) 13, Max Heys (Bantam) 14, Paul Macdonald (BSA) 33.
Class D: Andy Hesketh (Terrier) 17, Paul Harrison (Banvil) 40.
Class T: Owen Hardisty (Bultaco) 15, David Wilkinson (Honda) 20, Geoff Potts (Fantic) 24.
Class Te: Peter Gaunt (Honda) 2, John Wilson (Yamaha) 4, Malcolm Bell (Bultaco) 14.
