It's time to put the Kettle' on!
By TMX Archives on 2nd Jul 08
THE major trials event this week in Britain is in the Yorkshire Dales and it is the national Allan Jefferies Trophy trial. For over half a century, this trial has attracted all the top names but, surprisingly, only 106 riders will leave the start at the remote hamlet of Halton Gill, near Kettlewell, on Sunday morning, writes Barry Robinson.
Beta-mounted ace Ian Austermuhle aims to win again, as he did last year, although Gas Gas UK's serial National trial winner Dan Thorpe will aim to stop the Rosedale Abbey contender. Thorpe has a double mission, to run in his new Gas Gas motor after his Wainwright aquatics wrecked his engine and win! Sam and Ben Ludgate, Ben and Dan Hemingway, Tom Hick, Haworth's John Sunter, Dan Farrer, Aran Drachenberg, Nathan Wrigglesworth and Darren Brice may have other plans regarding the destination of the Allan Jefferies Trophy.
Bradford Motor Club have not changed the format so it runs very much as last year with the opening sections south of Halton Gill just off the moor road, then down to Arncliffe, Sleets and Kilnsey. Time for a refuel at Wilkinson's garage in Kettlewell before the second half of the day which takes in Diamond Pastures up the mighty Park Rash climb for visitors then back to Wilk's land at Halton Gill with a finale up the Waterfall behind the Halton Gill Reading Rooms where delicious home-baked and home-made food will tempt anyone in the vicinity. It's worth going just to
sample the village ladies' cakes!
Sign -off, after the seven hours allowance, is Wilk's field gate. The don'ts: NO parking in front or behind Halton Gill Reading Rooms or on Mastiles Lane at Kilnsey. These requests are important. Before driving up to Halton Gill, if approaching from the east, drop fuel cans at Wilk's garage at Kettlewell, where there will be a double visit to refuel. There will be 43 sections including the aquatics in, or under the Waterfall.
Finally, the Yorkshire Dales are stacked with tourists at this time of year and the drivers are usually looking at the sheep and the walkers copying the woolies by walking in the middle of the road.
Take care and have a nice day. Start time 10.30am.