Manx chairmen
By TMX Archives on 1st Feb 13
CREWS and supporters venturing across the Irish Sea for the curtain raiser to the Luscombe Suzuki Leeds ACU British Sidecar Trials Championship will get two for the price of one this weekend.
In addition to the Andy Smith Trophy Trial – which has been running for almost a decade and will provide Saturday's trial – promoters Peveril Motor Cycle and Light Car Club are this year adding a second event back-to-back with the regular one, to form the opening two rounds of the championship.
Sunday's David Craine Trophy Trial will be based around the St John's (central and western) area of the island, while the Andy Smith event will be predominantly in the north – new ground for the regular British round.
Entries are quite good with 29 outfits contesting the Championship event, complemented by a number of solo Twin-shock support riders.
Reigning British champions Robin and Sam Luscombe missed the opener 12 months ago as Robin was in the USA on a business trip.
But the father and son team bounced back to win three of the remaining eight rounds, also scoring three seconds and two thirds to take the title.
This was Robin's 16th and Sam's second title, won by 13 points from another father and son duo Rupert and Chris Kimber (the latter being the father).
The Kimbers rode the Peveril event in 2012 but their Beta hit problems early in the day and they had a wasted trip to the island.
The Rochester pair also ended the series with three wins, three seconds and two seconds. However, they also had a second non-score while the Luscombes scored a vital fourth in their other round.
Longtime leaders last year were the Manx father and son duo of Adrian and Aaron Smith.
They proudly won the Andy Smith event, named in memory of their father and grandfather respectively, then scored a second in the Colin Dommett Trial and another win in the West of England to keep the ball rolling.
They ultimately succumbed to both the Luscombes and Kimbers, eventually settling for third on the 300 Gas Gas.
Two other local crews could feasibly upset the apple cart. Jamie Teare, once tipped by Robin Luscombe as a major threat, is back on the scene and, with Jane Birchall in the chair, is capable of challenging.
But the pair most likely to spring the biggest surprise are former Isle of Man solo trials champion Nigel Crellin and experienced passenger Chris Molyneux.
The latter partnered Juan Knight with great effect to victory in the event a couple of years ago and has been competing regularly on the home scene with Crellin for the past nine months or so. They are well capable of getting onto the podium.
Jokers in the Intermediate pack are likely to be all-rounders Kiaran Hankin and Andy Cripps, although on paper David Tuck/ Steven Chandler and Andy Scrivens/ Martin Lawford are also likely to feature prominently.
The Clubman class is very much an open book with the largest individual entry of 17 crews. Matt Sparkes and last year's winning Clubman passenger Jamie Howe look likely favourites on the Ossa, along with Robert Head/Aaron Jacobs and Mark Kemp/Ian Allaway.
Reigning champions Phil Sparkes and Roger Tuck are again opting to miss out on the trip to Mona's Isle.
The Andy Smith Trophy Trial route on Saturday will start from Dhoon Quarry and include Glen Roy Mines, Windy Corner track, Tholt-y-Will Quarry and Ballure Plantation.
Sunday's David Craine Trophy Trial will feature Ballaspit, Knockaloe, Carnagrie, Arrasey Plantation, South Barrule Plantation and Quarry, plus Old Stoney Mountain Quarry.
