Allan's key to success
By TMX Archives on 16th Oct 08
SUPERB weather and all the forgotten summer sunshine for the South Birmingham MC's ninth round of the current Sammy Miller British Bike Trials Championship in Shropshire on Sunday hid the fact that the non-intended tough course had hidden hazards in every group, and scores at the end were much higher than in earlier rounds. However, everyone seemed to enjoy the two-lap course on the 35-mile route.
Almost as expected, Rigid series leader, Steve Allan, had a relatively easy ride, beating series runner-up Godfrey Hannam by 34 marks, with Peter Collins far behind.
Third in round eight at Builth Wells on a total of seven marks lost, Martyn Wilmore reported on his second lap visit to the Long Lane group near Craven Arms that he was having a poor day, but actually he increased his lead in class two with an 11-mark win over Andy Richardson on Sunday, leaving Steve Thompson and Bob Greenhough in that order to sort out third and fourth places.
Two-stroke series leader, Brad Jones, entered but failed to start, leaving top spot in the series open to runner-up, Peter Salt, who took full advantage and romped home with a nine-mark lead over Russell Jones and Mick Parkes who were separated by just one clean both dropping less than one third of the total of fourth placed Nick Walker.
Riding superbly all day, Peter Gaunt scooped yet another win in the Unit class, five clear of his nearest rival, Keith Gardner, on the day and in his class, but with a 17-point lead going into the final round he knows that he still has to have a decent finish.
Second on the day, Gardner, held a one-mark lead over Kirby Bennett, both well clear of Darren Walker and Simon Chell, who were also one-mark apart. Only a head-first dive into the stream at Marsh Brook on his first visit stopped Mick Bowers from joining Chell in a tie-break, and where he cheerfully told me that I had missed the picture of the day.
There was yet another poor Sidecar entry with two finishers in each class. Pre-Unit class leaders Rob Cameron and Andy Smith retired in section 23 of the required 30, but far ahead at that point, Paul Fishlock and Debbie Merrell enjoyed a great ride, out of sight of John and Paul Young, who added 30 marks to their running total in the first seven sections of the event.
Claiming to be hopelessly unfit and short of riding time, Les Minton took permanent passenger Ken Garfield to a winning slot in class six, but only four ahead of Ian Hannam and Debbie Smith, both crews far behind class seven winners Andy Abraham and Luby Norman, who easily held off Simon Fairbrother and Ian Weaver having their third outing together.
On marks lost Stephen Bisby claimed class seven on his Ossa with 18 marks on his punch cards, recording the lowest score in any class, followed by Mark Stokes as Colin Leese and Chris Denny claimed third and fourth, Leese holding a furthest clean tie-break.
Keith Wells scooped top points in class ten on his everlasting Honda, ahead of Paul Cowley, and John Davies riding his ancient Suzuki, sporting an Ossa tank, who beat Stephen Wright and Roger Timms in that order in a three way tie-break.
Rob Cameron and Andy Smith, who unfortunately had to retire on section 23.
SAMMY MILLER BRITISH BIKE TRIALS CHAMPS
Rd 9 National Greensmith Memorial Trial (South Birmingham MC)
Rigid: Steve Allan (350 Matchless) 23 marks lost, Godfrey Hannam (500 Ariel) 57, Peter Collins (350 AJS) 72.
Pre-Unit Springer: Martyn Wilmore (500 Ariel) 26, Andy Richardson (500 Royal Enfield) 37, Steve Thompson (500 Ariel) 55, Bob Greenhough (500 BSA) 102.
Twin-shock: Peter Salt (250 Francis Barnett) 22, Russell Jones (250 Greeves) 31 (15x0), Mick Parkes (250 Greeves) 31 (14x0), Neil Walker (250 Francis Barnett) 96, Dave Morris (185 BSA) 100.
Unit: Peter Gaunt (250 Royal Enfield) 26, Keith Gardner (200 Triumph) 31, Kirby Bennett (200 Triumph) 32, Darren Walker (B40 BSA) 57, Simon Chell (Triumph Twin) 58, Mick Bowers (250 BSA) 63, Andresw Hunter (350 B40 BSA) 100.
Pre-Unit Sidecar: Paul Fishlock/ Debbie Merrell (500 Ariel) 33, John & Paul Young (500 Ariel) 80.
Unit Sidecar: Les Minton/ Ken Garfield (350 B40 BSA) 112, Ian Hannam/ Debbie Smith (DVM BSA) 116.
Twin-shock Sidecar: Andy Abraham/ Luby Norman (350 BKS Montesa) 79, Simon Fairbrother/ Ian Weaver (350 Bultaco) 111.
British Specials & Twin-shock: Stephen Bisby (250 Ossa) 18, Mark Stokes (200 Majesty) 27, Colin Leese (Honda) 31 (fc), Chris Denny (200 Fantic) 31, Rob Badland (200 Honda TLR) 33, Martin Gilbert (300 Fantic) 35.
Trial Bike: Keith Wells (185 Honda XL) 23, Paul Cowley (275 Honda TL) 36, John Davies (250 RL Suzuki) 45 (14x0), Stephen Wright (250 Honda RL) 45 (11x0), Roger Timms (200 Honda TLR) 45 (10x0), James Oppen (200 Triumph) 52.