Plain'ly a brilliant ride from Michael
By TMX Archives on 12th Mar 08
THIRSK and DMC members saw a return for the hard work put in over the past couple of seasons as a massive entry of 117-riders converged on the popular Long Plain Farm venue at the top of Sutton Bank. The icing on the cake was the entry of World Junior Champion Michael Brown of Scarborough, testing out different mods to the Beta. The tweaks appeared to work quite well as he put together an almost flawless ride, losing just one mark on the rocks of number eight to
finish well clear of that other talented Scarborough rider, Simon Kershaw.
Held in spring-like weather conditions, the section severity was spot on over the
four-lap, ten-section course around this unique steep-sided valley.
Runner-up Kershaw would be the first to admit he was never going to match Brown in this form, but his effort in trying was commendable. Never more so than his ride on the difficult angled hillside steps of section six. Kershaw floated the Beta out on the back wheel for a loss of just two marks over the four laps. Adam Milner lived up to his recently gained Expert status and was next best on seven, hitting it perfectly on the third lap to go clean.
The double rock step of number five was a real mark stealer with Karl Dodderidge having a nightmare to lose a maximum and Kershaw undoing all his good work with 15 lost. Dave Pye never got to grips here, losing 11, while a revitalised Phil Mayfield, had a great ride to lose just eight and grab third place overall.
As Brown reeled off clean after awesome clean with regularity, his riding entertained riders and spectators alike, but just as an unblemished score sheet beckoned, Ally Reed caught him for his only mark of the day.
There was close finish in Clubman A where Nick Coleby snatched it by one mark from Barry Chapman and Chris Jewell. Again, section six was the decider as Chapman failed to see the exit cards on any visit.
Martin Peirson showed who was boss in Clubman B on ten marks, as Bryan Kendra and John Pattinson struggled on the tricky rocks of number two, losing six each there, while Peirson and third place man Tony Urry lost just a dab.
There was another inspired ride from the rapidly improving Andy Chiltern with a score of 38, sections five and six costing him 15 marks apiece.
Hard riders Matt Maynard, Isaac Gale and Joe Clements felt no pressure as they finished in that order with only the one mark separating them. Maynard was the only one to see the top of number six. Oliver Kendra mastered Youth C opposition.
THIRSK CHAMPIONSHIP TRIAL
Sutton Bank, Yorks (Thirsk & DMC)
Expert: Michael Brown (Beta) 1 mark lost, Simon Kershaw (Beta) 33, Phil Mayfield (Gas Gas) 38.
Inter: John Banks (Montesa) 58.
Clubman A: Nick Coleby (Montesa) 37, Barry Chapman (Scorpa) 38, Chris Jewell (Scorpa) 38, Andrew Keel (Montesa) 39, Mike Watson (Montesa) 41.
Clubman B: Martin Peirson (Sherco) 10, Bryan Kendra (Beta) 17, Tony Urry (Beta) 17, John Pattinson (Triumph) 18, Dave Chiltern (Montesa) 19.
Youth A: Andy Chiltern (Sherco) 38.
Youth B: Matt Maynard (Sherco) 28.
Youth C: Oliver Kendra (Beta) 29.
CONDUCTED
Youth D: Ged Howell (Beta) 31, Ben Teasdale (Gas Gas) 39.