Brown on top at the Cliff
By TMX Archives on 22nd Nov 13
Gas Gas rider Michael Brown from Scarborough demonstrated why he is 2013 British Trials Champion, turning in a superb ride to win the Scarborough DMC Cliff Collinson National on Sunday.Beta uk man Andy Chilton finished runner-up, with Huddersfields Jack Price having a blinder to grab third. With good money on offer, a class entry of 116 riders converged on Low North Park, Harwood Dale, to do battle over a Pat Galway inspired course of two laps and 20 sections, split for Expert, Inters and Clubman.Good weather prevailed and there was a proud moment for Margaret Collinson, as she witnessed son Gary compete, along with grandsons Josh Sprintall and Zac Collinson.Brown opened up with a fantastic first lap, shedding one on the first at Rogers Rocks and a dab in the river of 11.Price fived here on the final climb out, as did Adam Milner, while Jack Challinor came to grief as his Beta tucked under, pitching him off.It took the final section to halt Brownie, beaten by inches on the last massive rock step out of the middle gully.The adverse cambered roots after the rock step up out of the river appeared impossible, but Kershaw proved it was on, blipping the Beta up and over for a great ride of one lost.Billy Bolt followed with a spectacular clean of sheer flair to huge applause.Good rides here on the Inter route came from Chris Alford, screaming the little 125 out for first clean of the day.His second lap of eight lost could not be matched, assuring him of second place in the Inters.Dave Pye also cleaned and Shaughan Galways spectacular ride up the climb was spoilt by the steep plunge back down.Dabbing cautiously, Shaughan arrived at the base to much ribaldry from his supporters.Jack Peace, out first time on the Gasser struggled to adapt first lap, but then rattled off the cleans second time round to match winner Pye on 13 lost.Beta UK rider Chilton did his best to stay in touch, joining Brown and Challinor as the only riders to reach the exits of Keith Sleightholmes fearsome rock climb at the Bailey Bridge.But fives in the river at 11 and 12 saw his score mount, but his final lap of 17 made the Whitby lad happy, closing the gap on leader Brown, and doing enough to clinch the runner-up berth ahead of Jack Price.Jack, out on the gutsy 300cc Gasser said: I love the bike and I am still adapting to the bigger machine, but its great.Expectations are high for this youngster.Stocktons evergreen Roger Williams hung on for a tight Clubman victory by just one mark over Colin Bailey.Many were in for a stab at glory in a low-scoring trial, described by Lincolnshires Stuart Alford as, one of the best Ive ridden in a comment echoed by many clubmen and this after daughter Louise put in a great second lap of eight to beat him by 15 marks.Bailey and Colin Chapman led the first lap on one lost, Sam Duvivier and Williams were next on two, followed by Stephen Bennett and Neville Pybus on three.Chapmans bid ended at section 16, an awkward climb up and out of the gully, with a disastrous five.Pybus also struggled on three and Bailey had two dabs, while the unflappable Williams guided the old Yamaha through for an unpenalised lap and the win.
