Thrilling tie for Wallace Cup...
By TMX Archives on 27th Feb 08
REIGNING Novogar solo trials champion James Fry fired a warning to his rivals that he will not relinquish his crown without a fight, by earning joint victory in the opening round of the 2008 series at West Hagbourne, near Didcot, on Sunday.
Throughout the contest, Fry lost just one single mark, in section number 14, at Lollingdon Lane of the National Wallace Cup Trial, remarkably the exact point at which Ross Danby also took his only dab of the day.
So good were the performances of Fry and Danby that their single-mark losses were better than the score recorded by Expert class winner at the Wallace, Michael Phillipson. Unfortunately, the current Wallace Cup holder, Graham Jarvis, was a non-starter on Sunday, unable to defend his title after injuring his knee at the recent Hell's Gate Enduro.
Although Jarvis could not make the start, there was still a fantastic 100-strong entry who had gathered at the Horse and Harrow Public House to launch the 2008 Novogar series.
At 9.31am precisely, Paul Nicholson, who had made the marathon trip from Washington, Tyne and Wear, got proceedings under way by embarking on a journey which would see him tackle the superb 38-section course thoughtfully plotted by clerk of the course, Stu Robinson.
With conditions remarkably dry, the opening groups at Napper's Bank and Cress Beds provided little difficulty for the leading contenders with Novogar competitors Danby, Fry, Andy Blackman, Steve Saunders, Jason Bayliss and Danny Haslam all boasting unpenalised punch cards by the time they had arrived at Seymours Arena.
In the Arena, the riders treated spectators to an awesome display of trials riding technique. After seven challenging sections tackling the rocks, Danby, Fry and Saunders were still clean and leading the contest. Now hot on their heels with just a single-mark loss against their name were Adam Jones, having a great ride on his 125cc Sherco, Ben Wibberley and John Crinson while at this stage Miles Jones, Chris Pearson, Blackman, Haslam and Stephen Martin had lost just two marks apiece. Also competing in the Novogar and again proving that they can match the guys in any type of section were four female riders – Becky Cook, Emma Bristow, Katy Sunter and Maria Conway. All four were not only very impressive in their attack of Seymours but indeed throughout the entire event.
Following the Seymours Arena challenge, Danby and Fry then lost what was to be their only mark of the trial in the very next group at Lollingdon Lane, thus handing an immediate advantage to trials master Steve Saunders.
Indeed, Saunders was in his usual immaculate form until taking a dab in the final sub at Chilton Hollow. So with three sections remaining, all within sight of the finish line back at the Horse and Harrow Public House, Danby, Fry and Saunders were going head-to-head for the first Novogar win of 2008.
While Danby and Fry kept their feet on the pegs, Saunders took another crucial single dab in the very last section of the day and victory was lost. Taking fourth spot was Wibberley ahead of Welch, Pearson, Blackman and Matt Jones.
In the Novogar Over 40 class, Richard Allen took top honours, his score of 28 marks lost being six better than runner-up Chris Koch while Michael James was third.
With just two riders competing for Novogar 125cc class honours, Adam Jones took the verdict from James Graham.
After the thrilling contest for Wallace Cup honours, the battle for Novogar points is quickly resumed this Sunday as riders travel to the Cotswolds for the Colmore Cup Trial.
Well done, once again, to the North Berks MCC for a super event and a cracking opener to the 2008 Novogar Trials Series.
NOVOGAR TRIALS CHAMPS
Rd 1 – Wallace Cup Trial (North Berks MCC).
NOVOGAR TOP 15: Ross Danby (Gas Gas) & James Fry (Sherco) 1 mark lost (tie), Steve Saunders (Beta) 2, Ben Wibberley (250 Gas Gas) 5, Simon Welch (270 Beta) 7, Chris Pearson (290 Sherco) 8, Andy Blackman (280 Gas Gas) 9, Matthew Jones (290 Sherco) 10, John Crinson (Scorpa) 11 (33x0,3x1), Danny Haslam (Montesa ) 11 (33x0,2x1), Jason Bayliss (320 Sherco) 11 (30x0), Adam Jones (125 Sherco) 12, Dan Farrer (300 Gas Gas) 14 (33x0), Rob Warner (Montesa) 14 (31x0), Gary Jenkins (290 Sherco) 15.
SERIES STANDINGS after 1 (of 9) rounds: 1 Danby & Fry 20 points, 3 Saunders 15, 4 Wibberley 13, 5 Welch 11, 6 Pearson 10, 7 Blackman 9, 8 Matthew Jones 8, 9 Crinson 7, 10 Haslam 6, 11 Bayliss 5, 12 Adam Jones 4, 13 Farrer 3, 14 Warner 2, 15 Jenkins 1.
NOVOGAR 125cc STANDINGS: 1 Adam Jones 20 points, 2 James Graham 17.
NOVOGAR OVER 40 STANDINGS: 1 Richard Allen 20 points, 2 Chris Koch 17, 3 Michael James 15, 4 Dave Clinkard 13, 5 Tim Blackmore 11, 6 Barry Roads 10.
NEXT ROUND: Mar 2 – Colmore Cup Trial (Stratford on Avon MCC).
EXPERT CLASS: Michael Phillipson (Beta) 2 marks lost, Sam Haslam (300 Gas Gas) 3, Dan Thorpe (Gas Gas) 13.