Howell glides to Sutton Bank win
By TMX Archives on 8th Dec 06
THIRSK and District MC really has bounced back strong over the past year. Clerk of the course, Nigel Todd, and his helpers put on a superb four-lap, ten-section course at the club's Gliding Club Lane venue at Sutton Bank on Sunday.
There is also help from Nicky Wilson and sister Lisa on duty on entries and results, back up from all club stalwarts including Dave Almack, Dave Gibson, Ally Reid and Dave Hall, and things are going from strength to strength.
A night of torrential rain made the first lap tricky. So slippery, in fact, it brought that old maestro of throttle control, Tim Peace, into the act as he suddenly began to believe he really could relive past glories and snatch the win. Conditions were right up his street, but he did not help his cause, riding the wrong side of a flag on the easy opening hazard.
Section two was a mark taker on the first lap as Colin Bailey and Andy Lishman both fived, but Karl Dodderidge fired the Scorpa up for a dab. However, it was all about consistency on the day and none could match Peace as he threw little away for others to put pressure on, putting together a superb clean on the roots of Dave Gibson's section.
The double rock-step of section ten caused some hilarity. Chris Jewell and his Scorpa did a good impression of Tarzan and Jane, climbing a tree on the way down the hill. Newton Tucker did his ‘Strictly Come Dancing' routine and scored a perfect ten from the observer on his aerial dismount off the top step, and Barrie Darrell surprisingly came to grief in the snicket of rocks before the climb to finish a dismal day – by his standards.
Jack Howell, that young up-and-comer from Staithes continued to impress with a fine win in Youth A ahead of Expert rider Ashley Brown who has dropped down into the comfort zone of Youth A to ride alongside his chum Newton Tucker.
Mark Summer continued his run of good results to finish third. Summer had a great clean on section two, holding the Beta steady until it dug through and found grip on the last lap.
Another youngster gaining in confidence is Isaac Gale – his mother says not just on the bike, either – and really is putting some useful rides together.
How's this for enthusiasm? As the last rider left the final section, clerk of the course Nigel Todd was seen cutting branches down.
When questioned what he was doing, he replied: ‘‘Getting ready for next year's event!''
Great stuff.
RESULTS.
Expert: Tim Peace (Gas Gas) 50 marks lost, Andy Lishman (Gas Gas) 56, Karl Dodderidge (Scorpa) 62.
Clubman A: Jack Howell (Beta) 33, Ashley Brown (Beta) 47, Mark Summer (Beta) 52.
Clubman B: Jack Gibson (Sherco) 54, John McKinney (Sherco) 58, Mark Peckitt (Beta) 60, Jack Stones (Gas Gas) 64.