Brice was a cut-above
By TMX Archives on 11th Dec 08
BASSENTHWAITE and District Motor Club ran its Stanley Tallontire Memorial Trial on Sunday December 7 at Haltcliffe, Mungrisdale. Although temperatures had risen slightly, much of the venue was still in the grip of the recent cold spell with ice and snow, particularly on the ride over the top of the fell where the snow was still very deep and a bitterly cold wind kept temperatures down. A good entry turned out to ride the well plotted sections which included becks, rocks, and slippery grassy banks around four large laps of West Fell.
The Hard course was won convincingly by Darren Brice who lost most of his marks on the last section which was a steep climb up and out of a narrow stream that feeds the main beck. Here he lost a total of six marks with a further careless single being lost with a dab on the easy part of section ten, which was a ride along a narrow beck before a tight turn over a big rock and up a steep bank. Brice still finished 14 points ahead of local rider Richard Gaskell.
The Clubman's course was won by Robin Olliphant, riding a twin-shock Yamaha he took the win ahead of Scottish rider Jim Tennant aboard a four-stroke Montesa. Over 50 rider Peter Woof finished a very close third trailing Tennant by only one mark.
The Green course was won outright with a really good ride by Scorpa-mounted Stuart Gaskell, with second place going to Chris Dixon riding an air-cooled TY borrowed from his dad!
Conditions were decidedly unpleasant for observers with a wind that chilled you to the bone, so we would like to say thank you to all our observers, without whom we could not continue.
Sections eight and nine were observed for us by Richard Tallontire, to whom the club is extremely grateful to for all the help and hard work that he has contributed over many years, and it is in the memory of Richard's late father, Stanley Tallontire, that this trial is named.
The section itself, was a long double up a beck with some very slippery stones and rocks under and above the water. Only four riders maintained a clean sheet here emphasising how tricky it was.
A surprise entry was 250cc GP and world Supersport rider Eugene Laverty who had a good ride on a Beta. Although this was only his second competitive trial, Laverty must have been getting in a bit of practice as he managed to both finish and improve on his previous result.
Our next event will be on the January 4. Details will be posted in regs available.
The Club would like to wish all riders, officials and helpers, a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.
STANLEY TALLONTIRE MEMORIAL TRIAL
Haltcliffe, Mungrisdale (Bassenthwaite & DMC)
Hard Course: Darren Brice (Scorpa) 13 marks lost, Richard Gaskell (Scorpa) 27, Stephen Dixon (Scorpa) 29.
Clubman Course: Robin Olliphant (Yamaha) 18, Jim Tennant (Montesa) 24, Peter Woof (GasGas) 25.
Green Course: Stuart Gaskell (Scorpa) 16, Chris Dixon (Yamaha) 33, Anthony Brockbank (Sherco) 28.
Green course winner Stuart Gaskell (Scorpa) is full of concentration as he goes over a rocky section.