Kids step it up in 2012
By TMX Archives on 13th Apr 12
If Classes A and B in the 2011 Youth Trials Championship were a roller coaster ride the total opposite applies to Youth C Medium-wheels and both D class categories. Billy Green won all six Youth D Medium-wheels, with Daniel Slack and Charlie Smith picking up the lower placings, apart from in South Shropshire where Thomas Knight spoilt the rampage, writes Barry Robinson
Reece Gazzard won the Youth D Small-wheels taking all but one win in the opening round at Bottor Rack Farm, while Bradford's Joe Faunthorpe took five wins in the Youth C Medium class, and so had no reason to ride the final round at Longframlington in August.
The main Youth C class was a different kettle of fish, with Jack Peace taking four wins. Sam Yeomans did mix it up a bit, claiming winning rides at the West of England and South Shropshire rounds. This meant that despite pulling a dozen championship points over Yeomans, due to the drop score rule, the end result net was a mere six championship point difference between the two riders.
The story started for the C and D Youth Championship on March 19 at Wolversleigh Farm where Colin Somers and the Otter Vale Club got the show on the road. In Class C Standard, 12-year old Sam Yeomans got his Putoline Beta round to claim the maximum 20-points leaving Jack Peace and Sam Johnson to fend off Truro's Toby Martyn, Dunfermline's Joe Dawson and Bradford newcomer Keiran Child.
That was a wake-up call for second placed Peace, as he went on to claim victories at Westmorland, Mansfield, Morton Hamspstead at Bovey Tracy and even made the long haul to Longframlington for the North East Centre finale.
Throughout the season only Peace, Yeomans, Johnson and Martyn got on the rostrum. The challenge between the top three is set to continue into 2012 too as the top three lads all move up into Youth B, leaving Toby Martin to battle it out for another year in Class C Standard.
Bradford's Pocket Rocket Joe Faunthorpe lost a 2010 championship title when he broke a finger at Home Farm in the final round, but he made no mistake in 2011, doing almost a clean sweep in Class C Medium-wheels.
The only round he didn't take was the final one, which he chose to drop. This allowed Bexhill Oset star Oliver Smith to post a first-ever electric premier on his Oset ahead of Post Talbot Beta rider Ben Heycock.
Billy Green was hot in 2010 but moved up a gear for 2011 in Youth D Medium-wheels by winning every event on his Beta.
It's now time to kick off this year's action, and scenic Devon will be the hotspot for British youth C and D championship action this weekend, April 14/15. Over 30 contenders, in four different classes, will ride the opening round staged by the Moretonhampstead and Distinct Motor Club at Bullaton Farm, Bovey Tracy, on Saturday.
Clerk of course, Roger Barnes and his team have plotted a three lap course.
In class C standard wheels Yorkies Jack Peace, Zac Collinson, Joe Faunthorpe, Kieran Child and William Tolson will test Cornish starlet Toby Martin as will Ben Heycock.
In Class C medium wheels, one name leaps out of the programme, Newton Abbot's Billy Green.
In Class D medium wheels Alice Minta will be well fired up. The Shropshire girl has ridden out of class in the Ladies and Girls for two years and is unbelievably focused.
The largest class is Youth D small-wheels where Oset runners Dominic Horne and Henry Stephenson take on the petrol heads. Oliver Smith, from Newton Abbott, local boy Kristen Clark who lives in Moretonhampstead will be out to impress. The action commences at 10.30am. For sat-nav dependants the input is TQ13 9NX.
On Sunday morning the championship series moves to Bottor Rock Farm, Hennock, for round two of the Youth C and D championship. The West of England Motor Club has another three lap contest planned but over a slightly short twelve section course on Sunday. Nick Hunt is in the driving seat as clerk of course. The starting time is 10am.
Again the sat-nav number TQ13 9PT. Entry details track the previous day and many parents will be pleased by the decision to stage a double-header weekend, in view of the desperate fuel situation and associated costs.
