Easy as Juan, two, three
By TMX Archives on 7th Sep 12
JUAN Knight won the Manx International Classic Trial for the third time in a row at the weekend, but on this occasion he did give himself a handicap.
He accepted the challenge of riding the event on a solid rear-end BSA Bantam, originally designed in 1949.
The Drayton (Jim Pickering-built) 200cc version may be a modern day replica of the little two-stroke, but the 37-year-old Manxman's performance on the machine was still quite remarkable.
He held the joint overnight lead with Rob Bowyer – on a 400cc Triumph twin – and Chris Gascoigne (370cc Ariel) in an interesting mix of machinery.
Each rode the opening day for just a single mark.
Knight had his on the second sub at Arrasey Plantation, Bowyer on the first at South Barrule Quarry and Gascoigne the second at Ballacreggin, Glen Maye.
Close behind them, on two marks, were Chesterfield war-horse Dave Thorpe and Co Durham's Eddie Aitken – both Triumph Cub mounted.
Seasoned campaigners Chris Milner (Triumph) and Norman Shepherd (Francis Barnett) were on three, Paul Heys, Stephen Collins (both Cub) and Austrian newcomer Bernhard Weichenberger (Jawa-CZ) all on four.
It was certainly close, with the top 17 riders covered by just 10 marks.
One small change to the southern loop came early on Saturday, when Mullinaragher was scrapped after a week of heavy rain showers.
This was replaced by another group of three at nearby Ballanicholas, to maintain the 38-section tour.
Again in perfect conditions on Sunday, riders faced a tougher 30-section loop north, involving classic venues such as Windy Corner Gulley, Agneash Mines, Cluggid Gate, Injebreck Gulley, West Baldwin Bridge and Ballachrink.
Juan Knight, the former British Enduro Champion, British Sidecar trials round winner and multiple Isle of Man Centre solo trials champion, astounded most of his rivals with another single-mark ride.
The dab came on one of his favourite subs, the mini waterfall at Tholt-y-Will Plantation, on terrain he and his brother David were raised on as budding young riders, close to their Sulby home.
Disappointed with that, he said that he had little option, as no one else had ridden his favoured line and he knew the Bantam would probably not make it, so instead took the other line with a
cautionary dab.
Norman Shepherd, the former works Bultaco rider, salvaged second place on his Francis Barnett, going round for five on the day and eight in total.
This left him four marks ahead of twice former winner Dave Thorpe, who edged one clear of fellow Cub rider Eddie Aitken in the final count.
Stephen Collins, Paul Heys and James Harland all moved ahead of overnight joint leaders Rob Bowyer and Chris Gascoigne in the final standings, although the latter won the Pre-Unit Springer award on his Ariel.
Chris Milner was the leading newcomer in tenth, ahead of former overall winners Kevin Chapman and John Maxfield.
Bernhard Weichenberger was the best overseas rider in 14th spot.
FOR FULL REPORT AND PICTURES SEE TMX NEWS SEPTEMBER 7
RESULTS
Pre-65 Premier: Juan Knight (Drayton Bantam) 2.
First Class Awards: Norman Shepherd (Francis Barnett) 8, David Thorpe (Triumph Cub) 12, Eddie Aitken (UPB Cub) 13, Stephen Collins (Triumph) 14, Paul Heys (Triumph Cub) 15, James Harland (Triumph Twin) 15, Rob Bowyer (Triumph Twin) 17, Chris Gascoigne (Ariel) 18, Chris Milner (Triumph) 19, Kevin Chapman (Triumph) 26, John Maxfield (Triumph Cub) 28, Tony Swidenbank (Triumph Cub) 29, Bernhard Weichenberger (Jawa-CZ) 29, Barry Burton (Triumph Cub) 30, Peter Salt (Francis Barnett) 31, Chris Haigh (Velocette) 31, Dave Wood (BSA) 32, Paul Jackson (Triumph Cub) 33, Colin Scarffe (Triumph Cub) 33, Graham Brown (James) 35, Mark Buckworth (James) 36, George Emmott (Triumph) 36, Ferran Vilarnau (Triumph) 37, Michael Owen (Triumph Cub) 45, Mick Grant (Ariel) 45, Owen Hardisty (Triumph Cub) 48.
Manx Resident: Juan Knight.
Two-stroke Springer: Norman Shepherd.
Unit Four-stroke: David Thorpe.
Pre-unit Springer: Chris Gascoigne.
Newcomer: Chris Milner.
Overseas: Bernard Weichenberger.
Under 35: Gweorge Emmott.
Special: Arthur Browning (Jawa) 92.
Pre-65 Clubman:
Premier: Alan Aslett (BSA) 1.
First Class Awards: Carl Winstanley (Francis Barnett) 2, Keith Hobson (Triumph Cub) 3, Keith Gardner (Triumph) 7, Mick Clarke (Ariel) 10, Gavin Andrews (Drayton Bantam) 12, Craig Haworth (James) 16, Paul Edwards (Francis Barnett) 16, Tony Dillon (Triumph Cub) 21, Alex Crane (BSA Bantam) 22, Andrew Dean (Triumph Cub) 27.
Newcomer: Carlos Bosch (James) 37.
Tele-Rigid: Rolf Berhard (Jawa) 41.
Rigid: Michael Dawson (BSA) 69.
Girder-Rigid: John Griffiths (OK Supreme) 148.
Twin-shock
Premier: Stephen Murphy (Yamaha Majesty) 19
First Class Awards: Wayne Wardell (Bultaco) 24, Olly Megson (Yamaha Majesty) 34, Mick Jackson (Gaunt Suzuki) 36, Mick Thurman (Fantic) 36, Graham Christian (Yamaha TY) 40, Lee Wardell (Fantic) 45, Dave Renham (Fantic) 50, Andrew Keel (Fantic) 58, Mariano Gomez (Bultaco) 83, Martyn Snutch (Yamaha) 96, Malcolm McMillan (Montesa) 114.
Newcomer: Stephen Murphy.
Under 35: Wayne Wardell.
Twin-shock Clubman
Premier: Mark Curry (Yamaha Majesty) 2.
First Class Awards: Ricky Moore (Bultaco Sherpa) 9, Mark Spencer (Fantic) 21, Graham Thomas (Honda) 23, Andrew Blacker (Yamaha Whitehawk) 30, Sean Skillicorn (Fantic) 31.
