Wetherby's got it 'right!
By TMX Archives on 18th Jun 08
THE late Mick Wainwright would have been over the moon had he lived to oversee the Wainwright Shield Memorial Trial which will take place this coming Sunday (June 20). The former Wetherby Motor Club stalwart would have noted that entries for the traditional national trial are up by a significant 20 over last year to stand at a mighty 174 starters, writes Barry Robinson.
The course has been under review since last year and Patrick Darbyshire has spent many weekends riding the remote north Yorkshire fells where again two laps of 24 assorted sections will test all riders. The parc ferme is again remote Raydale Grange Farm, way down the one-way track beyond the hamlet of Marsett, and then the splendid eight mile all moorland lap that takes in Raydale Wood, New Close, the splendid Bardale Head and north to Bardale Moor and then a plunge down to the unpredictable Bardale Beck. Rugged beck sections form the main menu for the action.
Last year the weather did a muggy sun session, then heavy rain, all in the space of an hour. Ironically in 2006 it was heat exhaustion, up to 80f, that took out a stack of riders. Over the years, the weather has done everything at the Wainwright.
Dorothy Wardle will be parked-up at the farm entrance dispensing the tea and grub. Don't forget that the nearest petrol, at the time of writing, is either Hawes or Leyburn, on Sunday so don't leave yourself short.
Last year Michael Brown ran away with the Wainwright but he is not entered this year so amongst the 36 Hard-course challengers it will probably be down to National trial regulars Dan Thorpe, Ian Austermuhle, Sam Ludgate and John Crinson to wrestle for the top award. Becky Cook, Katy Sunter and Emma Bristow add glamour as well as considerable skill to the day and the battle for top honours amongst the girls will be an intriguing one.
Harrogate teenager Joel Sadler has designs on winning the Clubman class again but Beta mounted David Braithwaite and Montesa runner Phil Scott will have their own game plans.
The comedy acts will be James Noble, Andrew Carter and Paul Jackson while the supporting trio will be the Hillsborough crew of Dave Knaggs, Daz Wasley and Andy Longden with scripwriters Dave Thorpe, Lewis and Gavin Black, and the famed Hillsborough spokesperson Mr Andy Turner.
T+MX News will be out in the wilds tracking the action and rounding up the sheep. Last year a king-sized Friesian bull was grazing on Raydale Moor and he just might be up there again on Sunday, so watch out for him! First man away, Scarborough's Richard Pickering fires up his Beta at 10.01am on Sunday morning.