Silver service for the Pre-65
By TMX Archives on 22nd Apr 09
THE 25th running of the Scottish Two Day Pre-65 trial, staged by the Edinburgh and DMC, takes place next Friday/Saturday, May 1/2, with the lucky 180 riders, who came through the ballot after the entry was once again massively over-subscribed, gathering in Kinlochleven, which is now the established home of the event. And the entry list, for the Serco sponsored 2009 trial, reads like a Who's Who of Pre-65 trials with the original Monarch of the Glen, five-times Scottish Six Days Trial winner Magical Mick Andrews back in the Highlands to entertain the crowds. Mick, on his 250 James, will be joined by his old adversary Dave Thorpe (Cub) plus trial winner for the past two years, Tony Calvert who will be riding the John Holmes-tuned Triumph. Stir-in twice winner Neil Gaunt (Ariel), and previous winners Alan Wright (James) and Scott Dommett (BSA)and a whole bunch of contenders like vets Derek Brooks, Peter Salt, Mick Ransom on his own, original Francis Barnett and Colin Dommett. Channel Islander Graham Du Feu has been close to winning on his Ariel as has Len Hutty on his immaculate Matchless. Spaniard Carlos Casas is back for another attempt at becoming the first foreigner to win the Two Day after several close calls. To be honest, there's such a long list of handy riders it's actually anyone's guess who will fill the top 10.
The routes each day, based on a single lap starting from Kinlochleven, will contain 30 observed sections which will take in plenty of old favourites with the spectator favourite being Pipeline, that evocative stgraight-up blast which still draws the crowds. Wherever you watch, the scenery is stunning and there are plenty of sections you can reach without too much effort plus some that require some legwork and lung-power if you are planning a spectating weekend.
To find out exactly where to watch each day you need to buy a programme, a special Silver Jubilee edition this year, which will cost just 3, and the organisers will have them on sale throughout the weekend. Each day will start at 10am prompt and will finish when the last rider arrives back at the finish!
If you are going, have a great time and if you're not then T+MX will of course feature a full report with Eric Kitchen's unmatchable pictures the following Friday!