Jack's back
By TMX Archives on 23rd Mar 12
BELIEVE it or not next Sunday marks the 52nd year in Jack Wood Trial history. Yes it really is 52 years since Francis Barnett mounted Mick Ransom commenced his triple victory sequence.
Only the Foot and Mouth epidemic in 2001 axed the Hillsborough Motor Club event. Amongst the long list of previous winners are at least nine British champions.
Andy Longden and his Hillsborough team have revamped the route this year.
Sections will be more or less the same as previous years but in a different order except that the excellent River Kwai group again carries the sting in the tail.
Spectators please note that the group carries special restrictions. Many parts of the course come under SSSI rules and restrictions.
The big change is that Rocher End, above the village of Bradfield, starts the ball rolling. Many followers will not realise that there is an excellent footpath up through the valley, to the west of the group, which is well maintained and used by the ramblers.
From section seven to 19 is Hoyles Gulley, in four groups, and it is NO GO to spectators. The regular hazards can be found at Gibraltar Rocks, TCC, Fletcher's and the River Kwai. Hall Broome is in but no spectators please because of the parking problems, no suitable verges etc.
The section count is again a mighty 50 and the number of entrants stands at an impressive 155.
Four past winners ride – Tony Scarlett, Dan and Dave Thorpe and John Shirt, the latter shadowing S3 Parts sponsor Michael Kaufman who loves the Jack Wood. The big guns in the hunt will be Ben Morphett – second on a triple tie-breaker last year.– Alexz Wigg and Michael Brown.
Cleveland winner Ian Austermuhle will test Browny, as will Ross Danby, Sam Haslam, Chris Pearson and cousin Richard Timperley, Richard Sadler, Craig Robinson, Ross Crosby and North East Centre stars John Crinson, Lewis Peart and Carl Hollis.
Ricky Wiggins travels from Devon aiming for top S3 Part Championship points, while Mark Holland rides to try and win the Over 40 class for a second time.
Paul Doney leads the field off at a bright and breezy 9am.
It is lambing time so no dogs please. And riders – no wheelies or stoppies, or climbing over walls or entering any prohibited areas.
The area is one of the most popular tourist regions in the British Isles, so best behaviour!
