Experts in the Wild
By John Dickinson on 11th Nov 11
THE big trial in Britain this weekend is the Manchester 17 Motor Cycle Clubs 64th running of the Northern Experts Trial, and as this weekend includes Remembrance Sunday, the trial will take place at Wildboarclough, south of Buxton, on Saturday.
The impressive total of 130 riders will contest Saturday's 64th Northern Experts trial (which incorporates the final round of the Man 17 Edgar Trophy Champs) - but not last year's winner George Morton, or British Champion James Dabill or his constant rival Michael Brown. Several other prominent names on the northern trials scene are also conspicuous by their absence, which is rather strange as the Manchester 17 guys and gals always run a testing and varied event with just about every terrain possible on the two lap contest.
This is usually one trial not to miss and experienced Clerk of the Course Ken Roberts has implemented very few changes from the 2010 Experts. Clough House beck opens the batting with four sections tracking the stream in Plantation. Ben's Ditch comes back in then back down the four subs in Correction Brook. The route then crosses the A54 to take in Holt Gully and Cut-Thorn then back into the murky Eardley's Burden and those great angled steps, usually adorned with green mossy deposits. The trial can easily be won and lost in Eardley's.
And the names gunning for glory? Scott Trial winner Jonathan Richardson and his MRS Sherco team partner Richard Sadler will renew hostilities as both lads are now regular challengers for National glory. Both will have Gas Gas ace Dan Thorpe - winner of over 100 National trials - Phil Disney, Dan Clark, Richard Timperley, Dan Farrer, Liam Walker and Chris Pearson to look out for, while the on-form vet Tony Scarlett and local ace Craig Robinson will also be on the case.
Darren Wasley headed the Clubman class last year from Gavin Black and Simon Levett. Black is not entered this time but the consistent Daz Wasley is so add in Mike Edwards, Mick Boam, Stewart Oughton, John Hulme and Daniel Clarke for each way bets. With such a large entry it is of course highly likely that none of them will figure and a total outsider will upset the form book - but that is all part of the attraction!
Start time, in the same field as last year, signed from the A537 Macclesfield to Buxton and the A54 Congleton to Buxton, will be 9am prompt. The buttie wagon will be open early which is excellent if you've had to make an early start. There's just one warning – watch out for ton-plus attempts by riders of plastic rockets on the A54 - and those nice men in blue chasing them!
