Maxfield turns treble shooter
By TMX Archives on 10th Sep 09
JOHN Maxfield became the first rider to win the Manx Classic Weekend Trial three times when he took his 200cc Triumph Cub to victory in the popular Isle of Man event. Following up his wins in 2004 and 2007, the Grassington man dropped two marks on Saturday and a further 11 on Sunday in contrasting conditions to defeat overnight leader Carl Batty by three marks. Dave Thorpe won a tie-break for third with Eddie Aitken.
American Mark Sturtevant rode a rigid-framed 350 BSA to the narrowest of victories in the Clubman class where three riders tied on the same number of marks and cleans.
Similar to the previous weekend's Manx National Two-Day, conditions were relatively good on Saturday and damp to dismal on Sunday. In a change from tradition, day one started from the Isle of Man's ancient seat of parliament at St John's (also the start for the original TT in 1907) in an attempt to avoid any possible clash with the Manx Grand Prix if the final day of that event had to be postponed.
The early groups were at Ballaspit, Carnagrie, Ballacallin, Arrasey and Glen Rushen, while the coastal sections at the Sloc offered spectacular views over the south-west of the island. Regularly used groups such as Garey Mooar, South Barrule Quarry, Old Stoney Mountain Quarry and Cornelly Mines brought the day to a close.
Carl Batty from across the Irish sea in Cumbria cleaned all 36 sections on his 250 James, but as he is under-35 years old he couldn't qualify for the Premier award. Joint second on two marks apiece were the Cubs of Maxfield and Aitken, followed by Dave Wood and Michael Irving on three.
Level on four apiece were twice former winner Kevin Chapman and local man Stephen Collins. Roger Williams and Chris Gascoigne were even stevens on five, followed by the evergreen Alan Wright on seven.
MANX TWO-DAY classic TRIAL
Best Overall Performance: John Maxfield (Triumph Cub) 13 marks lost.
Best Under 35 Rider: Carl Batty (James) 16.
Best Newcomer (Premier Route): Roger Williams (James) 20.
Best Manx Trials Club Member: Stephen Collins (Triumph Cub) 32.
Best Overseas Rider Patrick: Garcia (Ariel) 150.
First Class Awards: Carl Batty (James) 16, David Thorpe (Triumph Cub) 19, Eddie Aitken (Triumph Cub) 19, Roger Williams (James) 20, Paul Heys (Triumph Cub) 31, Stephen Collins (Triumph Cub) 32.
CLUBMAN AWARDS
Best Clubman: Mark Sturtevant (BSA) 18.
Best Newcomer (Clubman Route): Peter McCanna (Greeves ) 37.
Best Overseas Newcomer: Jean Pierre Pregardieu (BSA) 81.
Tele-fork Rigid: Ian Watkins (AJS) 81.
Oldest Combined Age (Bike & Rider): Werner Siebenhaar (NSU) 139.
FOR FULL REPORT SEE T+MX NEWS, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2009
John Maxfield became the first rider to win the Manx Two-Day Trial three times!