It's a glorious two-day
By TMX Archives on 6th May 09
Paul Heys won the coveted Challenge Trophy followed closely by Neil Gaunt and Robin Luscombe
UNASSUMING Lancashire lad Paul Heys, on his equally unassuming Triumph Cub, was a welcome and popular new name on the Challenge Trophy, the prize for winning the Edinburgh and District Motor Club's 2009 Serco Pre-65 Scottish Two Day Trial, which was staged in Kinlochleven last Friday/ Saturday.
Paul, from Rossendale, was flawless on the opening day riding all 30 sections absolutely clean and then held it together on Saturday to lose just two marks to finish one point in front of former winner Neil Gaunt who dropped just one on the opening day and then matched Paul's score on day two.
And finishing a brilliant third was multi British Sidecar Trials champ Robin Luscombe who blasted the rasping Triumph twin round in rousing style, dropping just two marks each day before heading to the Tailrace Inn for a well-earned beer straight after signing-off.
Fourth and fifth were Scotsmen, Cotton-mounted Alan Crayk and all-rounder Les Winthrop after they had to be separated on a tie-break after losing seven marks. Amazingly two other riders also ended their two days on seven, former trial winner Scott Dommett and Catalan Carlos Casas. Both dropped six marks on Friday and amazingly both dropped just a single mark on Saturday, which was best on day.
FRIDAY
PAUL Heys was sitting all alone at the head of the field on Saturday evening having managed the trick of riding all 30 sections unpenalised. It was a brilliant ride from the man from Rossendale who recently caused a stir by winning the ACU Traditional trials championship round at Bootle, Cumbria - set on similar terrain to the Scottish.
The opening day proved to be one of the toughest in the event's 25 year history. This was mainly because of the rain that had fallen during the night and which persisted all morning, resulted in water levels in the burns rise considerably.
The opener at Cnoc a Linnhe proved costly for Martyn Wilmore who took an early five as popular Catalan Carlos Casas opened his account with a single. Pollock Hill then took crowd favourite Mick Andrews for a dab. Camas Na Muic, a burn on the low side of the road, was hard, mainly because of the depth of water. The section proved costly for Tony Calvert, winner for the past two years, as he dropped a five right at the exit in the climb out of the stream. They were the only marks he lost but the damage was done. Mick dropped another two, as did Pre-65 first-timer Norman Shepherd, trying hard on his James.
The loop out round Blackwater was also tough in the conditions and the Meall Na Cruaidhe hazards took a lot of marks. It was that wet stuff again. JCM founder Joel Corroy, who can certainly ride an Ariel, dropped two consecutive fives spoiling an otherwise excellent ride, just three on his card otherwise.
Pipeline had drawn as big a crowd as seen in recent years and as the rain blew away in the afternoon were treated to an entertaining couple of hours. The famous climb was loose lower turning to solid but slippery in the top sub yet still surrendered over 30 double cleans. There were plenty of incidents though with north east character Eddie Aitken twice knocked down the banking by rearing machines. He emerged, face bloody but smiling saying, "I thought I'd do a bit of blackberry picking!” Despite being knocked about Eddie still cleaned the section and ended his day on just six marks.
Cleans came from rides such as Magical Mick's coaxing the James up at zero speed to determined straight-line rides, typified by Robin Luscombe. The sidecar trials ace was enjoying himself immensely on a big Triumph twin and his two mark finish was one of the shocks of the day. Then there were the plain fast attempts typified by Yorkie David Watson who positively flew-up on his ex-works Enfield.
So the Saturday leader board saw Paul Heys alone at the top with two-times winner Neil Gaunt right behind on one, a score shared by Scot Alan Crayk, from Inverness, on a very standard-looking Cotton. Both lost their dabs early on in the day. Three men were on just two, Luscombe, young Murray Whittaker who featured on front page after the Pre-65 last year, and Ariel-mounted David Coughlan who brought the Irish into the frame.
SATURDAY
THE second day dawned much as the first with a wet start thanks to some squally showers, which thankfully cleared away after the first couple of hours. And while there were plenty of tired bodies after the opening day's trip round Blackwater the majority slowly loosened-up, like Septuagenarian Peter Gaunt who admitted to struggling early-on but after a couple of fags he was back on the pegs of his Enfield.
The sections on day two were in the main less full-on and the usual battle of nerves ensued up at the sharp end and there were no fewer than 24 riders who finished on single figures for the day.
There was a new route for the day, just to keep the regular riders on their toes, and instead of doubling back after Callart, making for two-way traffic on the Mamore road, riders peeled left for the awesome, long, steep drop down Callart Cottage. In very wet weather this can be very hairy.
It was up on the Mamore road early in the day that winner Heys had a moment when the Cub ‘coughed' and Paul had to take a big dab while the Cub started breathing properly again which he reckoned felt like "a long time!”
Riders having a much better day than Friday included Mick Grant, wearing tinted glasses after his recent eye operation. Granty improved from a score of 23 to 12, while one place above him fellow Ariel rider Mathew Neale added just seven to his overnight tally of 27.
The crowds were out in force again which made for a great atmosphere and as you'd expect, they were a knowledgeable bunch and generous with their applause.
Spectating at Lower Mamore was speedway legend and Pre-65 enthusiast, Eric Boocock, forced out of the trial with a ‘bust' knee after a crash on the moors.
Norman Shepherd tried hard in his first attempt at the Pre-65 and finished a fine eighth, just ahead of Chris Milner on yet another tie-break while completing the top ten was southern ace, Len Hutty, on his lovely 410 Matchless and Irishman David Coughlan who couldn't quite match his excellent opening day's ride.
Rounding the top dozen was Tony Calvert who, having won the last two years didn't miss the hat-trick by all that much -– he only lost 11 marks!
But, the congratulations go to Paul Heys, a really nice guy and the winner of the Silver Jubilee Scottish Pre-65 Two-Day.
For full report see T+MX NEWS, Friday, May 8, 2009
Clive Dopson entertained the Scottish faithful once again with some emotive riding on the 500cc rigid Norton.