Home from Holme
By John Dickinson on 26th Aug 11
Kendal ClAssic's Nostalgia weekend got away to a flying start last Saturday with the Nostalgia Trial, supported by Sammy Miller Products and the Coniston Brewing Company and was based on Holme Farm, Middleton, near Sedbergh in eastern Cumbria.
The event, open to Pre-65 and Twin-shock machines only, drew a fantastic entry of around 180 with another 20 or so hopefuls having had their entries regretfully returned. Riders came from far and wide with entries from the Isle of Man, Scotland and even Essex and Great Yarmouth.
The trial was staged over two laps of a 20 section course which was split into two distinct areas, with ten-sections set high on the hillside, mainly loose stream beds, in trees followed by another 10 sections based in a dense wood down the old
disused railway line.
The Easy course proved to be a popular choice and went down well with competitors but the Hard course didn't quite get universal approval as it proved to be a bit on the tight side with lots of full-lock turns. There were certainly plenty of challenging hazards for those on the Hard course as heavy rain in the build-up to the trial left conditions on the slippery side, especially on the steep bankings down the railway line.
The first hazard on that loop proved a virtual stopper as it twisted its way up and down the steep, ultra slippery bank.
But at least the hillclimb was in benevolent mood this year affording plenty of cleans as it has dug-out over the years. Observer Jimmy Dean, despite hiding behind a tree, was still sent AOT at one point though by a wayward rider and machine!
There was a huge variety of machines out on the course ranging from the immaculate state of the art bikes ridden by the egulars to the dragged-from-the-shed variety pressed into service just for the day.
David Myers was on a 250 Suzuki that had to be assembled from boxes of bits that had stood for years. The clutch was either in or out but it still got him to the finish on a very reasonable score although he was beaten by fellow Barrow club member David Johnson whose Bultaco carburettor actually came right off in one section down the wood - which hardly surprisingly resulted in a quick five.
FOR FULL REPORT AND PICTURES SEE T+MX AUGUST 26
NOSTALGIA TRIAL
Sammy Miller Products/ Coniston Brewing Company Nostalgia Trial, Holme Farm, Sedbergh (Kendal Clasic MCC)
HARD COURSE
Pre-65 unit: John Maxfield (246 Triumph) 22 marks lost.
Pre-unit springer: Andrew Collins (350 Ariel) 40.
Two-stroke: Carl Batty (250 James) 22.
Pre-65 twin-cylinder: Dave Postlethwaite (500 Triumph) 67.
British Specials: Alan Whitton (250 Triumph) 91.
Twin-shock: Mark Batty (250 Suzuki) 24, Nick Shield (340 Bultaco) 34, Mark Barrow (200 Honda) 42, Chris Myers (325 Bultaco) 45.
EASY COURSE
Pre-65: John Palmer (250 Dot) 7, Phil Alderman (250 BSA) 9, Tony Dillon (199 Triumph) 10.
Pre-65 Rigid: Craig Hunter (125 BSA) 22.
Twin-shock: Ossy Byers (350 Montesa) 9, Phil Witham (350 Bultaco) 12, Michael Dorricott (250 Seeley) 12.
