Yorkies have a Reet' good do?
By TMX Archives on 23rd Jul 09
CAN Ben Hemingway put the Beta-UK four-stroke at the top of the podium for a second year in succession or will JST Gas Gas ace Dan Thorpe win the White Bros sponsored Richmond Motor Club's annual Reeth Three-Day Trial this weekend (July 24 - 26)? If Thorpey wins this Yorkshire epic and JST spannerman Kev Hipwell tops the Clubman class, GG importer John Shirt will be cracking a crate of champagne, writes Barry Robinson!Last year it was Little Hemmo from Thorpe and then Cumbrian Darren Brice on the Birkett Scorpa, Beta-mounted Danny Gamble, then Sunderland's John Crinson on the second Birks Scorpa. Dan Hemmo rounded out the top six. Hipwell will have Nick Shield and local Sherco runner Paul R Sadler, father of Richard - to make it quite clear which Sadler is in the running - as opposition. On Friday morning, exactly 200 riders will leave the Grinton Parks Field start area. That means 200 riders on the loose to ride a total of 114 sections over three days. It also means strong socialising, right across the board.
The last rider to start is Lucy Gregg, who administers healing as a physiotherapist and who lived in Grinton, less than a quarter of a mile from the start. Three ladies compete, Lucy, local star Katy Sunter and Emma Bristow, who won the Richmond Ladies British championship trial last year at Reeth.
The entry start order will rotate three times, just like the Scottish Six Days Trial. The Three Day is a three-stage event with totally separate courses right in the middle of the Scott Trial heartlands. To just provide a taster - the comprehensive programme does the rest - a few section names are Underbanks, Cold Knuckles, Clapgate, Whaw Beck, By Pass, Bridge End and Shaw.
The format then is 35 sections on Friday and a final burst of 36 sections on Sunday. Friday brings an easterly ride, taking Underbanks, Cold Knuckles, Clapgate, Rotten Wood and Reels Head. On Saturday it is a northerly run to Whaw Beck, Eskeleth and Bridge End. The final day brings in Andrew Brown and his team who have plotted a course to Gunnerside and Low Row, and that brings in the majestic views of Swaledale. Initially, riders turn south to Grinton Ghyll, Underbridge, Brown's Ghyll, Summerlodge and back to Brown's Ghyll, with a quartet of sections at Low Houses.
During the three days duration, there are five specific no-go areas as far as spectators are concerned. Please observe these requests and park in areas that do not obstruct the milk collection vehicles. Dogs should be kept on a lead at all times.
The trial will start at 11am on Friday, preceded by official signing on of riders and officials. There will be souvenir polo shirts and programmes available at all times in the marquee. Later in the evening, at 7.30pm, the Richmond Motor Club will host a riders' and landowners' social evening and buffet supper in the start field marquee. On Saturday evening, from 6pm, the start field marquee will again be packed for another evening of socialising and trials banter.
The presentation of awards will commence immediately after the results team have completed the scores from Sunday's scorecards and each evening full daily results will be available and day awards presented.
All's set for a fabulous three-day weekend of top class trials in Yorkshire with the start times being Friday 11am, Saturday 9am and Sunday 9am.