A Cliff hanger
By TMX Archives on 7th Jan 09
FOLLOWING all the excitement of a winter of musical saddles with Michael Brown having swapped his TTT Beta for a factory Sherco and his good pal and fellow professional trials rider James Dabill back on a Gas Gas two-stroke after his dalliance with Future Montesa 4T we finally get down to a head to head on Sunday, writes BARRY ROBINSON! And the pair of them have Ian Austermuhle to overcome if they are to win the IRC Tyres Cliff Collinson Trial who will be up for the win for the second year in succession on Sunday at Harwood Dale. The Rosdale Abbey-based, Beta-UK rider did the business last year when he won the inaugural Scarborough Motor Club's national trial at Low North Park, beating his now injured team colleague Michael Phillipson. Ian will ride the 32 section, single lap course with FIM World Youth champion Jack Challoner right on his heels.
Local ace Michael Brown will be eager to win in front of his home fans as he weighs-in with MRS Sherco team-mate Jon Richardson before going head to head with JST front runner James Dabill. Also in the Experts are centre champion Simon Kershaw, teenage Scarborough starlet Josh Sprintall - whose grandfather was Cliff Collinson - Tom Hick, Jonny Walker, Andy Chilton, new Scorpa signing Sam Ludgate and past pre-national winner Guy Kendrew and the heat will be on in the Dale.
Over and above the Expert list will be Inters Tony Alonzo, Mark Harrison, Dave Wardell, Tynesider Dale Robson and Mark Coulson. Then stir in in the Clubmen who could head their results such as John Pattinson, Richard Hildrick, Mark Summers, Mike Watson, David Pye, Vicky Ellis and Roy Jarvis.
The observing rules are the latest so a penalty-free stop is permitted, providing both feet are not wavering. The trial starts at a bright and early 9am. The format is five sections on Low North Park then a mile run to section six and then on to Hollins Gill where 10 sections in and around the stream will test the 120 strong rider entry. The return run calls at Riverhead Farm for the fuel stop and punch card change then it is back into Low North Park for a 16 section finale.
The venue has permanent catering facilites and toilets plus the old army parade ground for hard standing, but no fresh water on the park. The venue post code for your Sat-Nav is YO13 0LA or follow the marking from the A170 Pickering / Scarborough Road and A171 Scarborough /Whitby Road.