Good gReeth it's the three-dayer!
By TMX Archives on 22nd Jul 10
Richmond MC (Yorkshire) step-up a gear with their annual Reeth Three-Day trial starting this Friday (July 23) at Grinton, near Reeth, where 200 riders come under starters orders for the sixth annual event. Back in 1990 the trial started as a two-day contest, as secretary Angela Sunter quite clearly remembers, writes Barry Robinson.
In 2004 it went into three-day mode and the competitor's numbers rocketed. One name missing from the entry list is 2009 winner Ben Hemingway but there are plenty of likely lads and lasses up for the challenge. Ladies first - multi champ Becky Cook, Louth girl Emma Bristow, fresh from a world championship podium, Katy Sunter, in her homelands, Harriet Peacock and Grinton physiotherapist Lucy Gregg.
Longest journey? New Zealander Stephen Armistead who by rough reckoning will cover about 36,000 miles.
The trial format is as last year with Bruce Storr and assistants laying 36 sections in the Marske and Hurst regions for Friday's opener. Nathan Stones and his five strong team head west onto Arkengarthdale where the section numbers rise to 40 for Saturday. Andrew Brown then runs his 35 sections around Low Row and Gunnerside on Sunday.
The trial carries daily awards for all three days. On Friday night in the giant marquee the club host a grand supper for farmers, landowners, civic dignitaries, officials and competitors. The renowned famous Reeth Three Day tee shirts will be presented to all competitors but they can also be purchased in the marquee. Running times are Friday 11am, Saturday and Sunday 9am. The trial programme lists just about everything and they are obtainable in the marquee in parc ferme at Park Fields, Grinton.
The starting order is rotated each day with Dan Thorpe, Chris Pearson, James Fry, Danny Gamble, Andy Chilton, Tom Hick, John and Mark Sunter, Adam Milner, James Carr, Aran Drachenberg, Philip Alderson and teenage first-timer Richard Sadler all in the mix. As for the clubmen? Truly a minefield of good strong performers. Try Paul Dennis, the sausage king of Melmerby, the comedians Eddie Aitken and Roger H Williams, Mike Watson, David Braithwaite, Paul Bennett, Boyd Webster and Over 50's Dave Knaggs and Dave Thorpe. Stuart Blythe and Paul Sadler could also be in with a shout.
The usual requests centre on parking, in all areas. This trial exists on goodwill and one thoughtless parking obstruction can really damage relations with the local residents. And finally, this is one none negotiable rule –only riders and officials on the course, at any time, on motorcycles. All the sections are on private land.