Knocking on Wood
By TMX Archives on 25th Mar 10
Who will add their name to the illustrious Jack Wood Trophy on Sunday to mark the 50th anniversary of a real traditional Yorkshire Centre national trial, writes Barry Robinson?
It is now half a century since Mick Ransom first put his works Francis Barnett at the top of the awards and Mick went on to win the trial three times. No chance of James Dabill doing the double and winning the Jack Wood Trial on Sunday.
Last year Dibs lifted the British Championship opener at the beginning of March then dabbed four times to take the Jack Wood from Dan Thorpe and Michael Brown. Dabill will be in battle in the final SPEA FIM Indoor Arena trial in Majorca on Saturday so Thorpey and company can breathe easier. No, not really.
Bemrose winner Sam Haslam joins the 156 strong entry which features Chris Pearson, Craig Robinson, now very sharp and on top form and MRS Sherco member Richard Timperley, who posted a tight third at the Bemrose along with Dan Farrer.
James Carr, Tom Hick, Sam Ludgate, Lee Sampson add spice along with veteran Tony Scarlett, Paul Rose and JST boss John Shirt, Kev and Andy Hipwell plus Katy Sunter and Maria Conway. The girls will hassle Mick Boam, Paul Bennett, Daz Wasley, Sam Clarke, Team Hipwell, Iain Robinson, Paul Dennis and Tony Jones for the Clubman premier.
Manhattan Motorcycles sponsor the single lap, 50 section no-stop National non-championship classic. David Haggis' Knaggs is in charge of the course with a dozen group of sections.
The only change is that Buckley's is out but the MB group in the adjacent wood is in. The warnings at Hill House and Fletchers/Lumbush is - no dogs! TCC again features that deep-sided beck while Hall Broome is a flight to nowhere up the beck, right up. No vehicles in the farm at the bottom of the Ughill group please.
The Hoyles subs, 25 to 34 are no-go for anyone as is the entire River Kwai wood and below the footbridge. The Rocher End group are well worth the walk from the bottom of the wood or from the top but going down is like dropping off the north face of the Eiger - not healthy if you slip. Start time is a bright 9am. The 156 starters leave at one a minute and there will be catering on the course.