Report: Yorkshire Classic MCC
By TMX Archives on 29th Jun 16
Used for the first time last year, Emmotts Farm is reminiscent of the Pre-65 Scottish with its long winding river-bed climbing the hills above Silsden.
Graham Wilkinson and Colin and Tim Pawson had plotted 10 sections up the river to challenge the 44-strong entry in the club's 6th Championship trial of the season.
On the day the Premier route took marks from everybody with only Steve Thomas and Gordon Imrie going clean on the Clubman route.
Best on the Premier route were John Maxfield and Robin Luscombe on six with Chris Haigh on nine and George Emmott on 11.
For the Clubmen, section one was the main mark taker.
A tight turn down a grassy bank into the river, followed by a deep water section through hidden rocks, which took marks from all except John Holdsworth on his C15 and Paul Jackson on his Velocette and the two winners.
On the Premier route, Section 8 was the most difficult with its tight turn and underwater rocks halting progress up the grassy bank to the end.
Section seven also proved difficult, the path crossing the river and up through a gulley full of rocks and needing careful negotiation.
For the Clubmen, a steep rocky climb out of the river requiring accurate positioning and then some speed caught many riders.
Outside the winners, only M Nelson, John Wilson and P Williamson went clean.
With the heavy rain the previous night the water level in the river had risen quite a lot but this had not caused any serious disruption and in some ways had increased the interest as riders could not see the hidden rocks and which line to take.
Graham, Colin and Tim had plotted very good sections, all of a similar standard.
Section four followed the river and finished up a grass banking which ended up as a deep groove halting the progress of the Clubmen if they did not manage to position their bikes carefully.
The ‘five' of the day went to John Feather on his big Ariel who got off line on section nine and finished up under water.
Results
Premier Route
Class A Pre-Unit Springers: Chris Haigh (Velo) 9, John Feather (Ariel) 51.
Class D Cubs: John Maxfield 6, Dave Wilkinson 31, Dale Harrison 47.
Class F 2–Strokes: Colin Fray (DOT) 34.
Class G Twins: George Emmott 11, John Patefield 62.
Class S Specials: Robin Luscombe (Cub) 6, Mick Haslam 44.
Clubman Route
Class B Pre-Unit Rigid: Tim Pawson Norton 14, Will Harrison (Ariel) 14.
Class H Vintage 2-stroke: Eric Atkinson (James) 42.
Class K Open Clubmen: Steve Thomas (Bantam) 0, Paul Preston (James) 1, Les Humphries (Cub) 3, Richard Bainbridge (Cub) 5.
Class T Pre-Unit Springer: Gordon Imrie (Ariel) 0, Paul Jackson (Velo) 10.
