Red Marley Hill Climb - Full report & gallery
By TMX Archives on 19th Apr 17
In contrast to 2016, this year Red Marley was relatively dry. Hard ground and plenty of grass made for slippery conditions early on but later conditions improved considerably.
Even so it was late in the programme before the magic 20 seconds barrier was broken. And the man to break it - none other than Man of the Meeting - Tom Crump.
In 2016 Tom swept everybody else aside on his way to collecting no less than five awards. This year his collection was slightly less but equally impressive.
Last year Greeves aficionado, Ian Bain, was up among the all-stars in the Superclass.
This year he was back with the 350s, a class he has won several times at Red Marley. And true to form he was a very convincing winner of the class this year.
Ian tells me he has experimented with the petrol/oil mixture of the old Greeves and it still smokes well, but it seems quicker than ever.
Paul Munslow was second and a pair of Devonians, Colin Hickie and John Dallaway, filled up the rest of the podium places.
The All-Stars (Superclass) were excluded from the over 350cc class. John Cash and Lee Kelly made it into the final from the top half of the draw, and Joe Crump and George Newman qualified from the bottom half.
In the final both Lee and Joe crashed out, having negotiated the infamous "pimple”and within yards of the finish. George, sharing a bike with Carl Pope, raced on, edging out John at the finish.
The Superclass, now a regular addition to the programme, was as entertaining and competitive as ever. Sixteen of the best riders invited to compete against each other over 20 heats. Points awarded on the basis of three for a win, two for second and one for third.
Tom Crump, an absentee from this class last year, was the winner with Carl Pope, Ricky Pedder, Richard Williams, Jim Shand, Dean Howells, Leigh Owen and Tim Dallaway also making it into the semi-finals.
Tom and Ricky qualified for the final from the first semi, and Carl and Richard from the second.
The final was, not surprisingly, a quick and close affair with young Tom in pole position. The meeting concluded with the All-comers class, split into under 50 and over 50, and a Grand Final which consisted of the first two from each of the age finals.
Tom Crump and Tim Dallaway qualified for the Grand Final from the under 50s, and Carl Pope and Nick Payton from the older group. In the under 50 final Tom had set the fastest time of the day –19.72 seconds.
The final line-up looked good – a finale to end on a high note. However, the best laid plans do go astray sometimes. From my vantage point at the start, it was difficult to work out what actually happened, but suffice to say that Tim Dallaway and Carl Pope crashed out coming into land after the "pimple”. So, cue another win for Tom Crump.
Tom deserved all the plaudits, but to many it was a disappointing end to a great day.
And Carl Pope's hill record still stands. Will it ever be broken?
Results
Up to 350cc: 1 Ian Bain (Greeves), 2 Paul Munslow (BSA), 3 Colin Hickie (BSA), 4 John Dallaway (BSA).
Super Class Invitation: 1 Tom Crump (500 Jawa), 2 Carl Pope (600 BSA), 3 Ricky Pedder (650 Triumph Metisse), 4 Richard Williams (500 BSA)
Over 350cc: 1 George Newman (600 BSA), 2 John Cash (500 BSA)
Classic Dirt Bike Challenge (up to 250cc): 1 Sean Isherwood (Bultaco), 2 Andy Lane (Bultaco), 3 Ivan Haskell (Cotton).
All-comers under 50 years:1 Tom Crump (500 Jawa), 2 Tim Dallaway (600 BSA), 3 Jim Shand (600 BSA), 4 Richard Williams (500 BSA).
All-comers over 50 years: 1 Carl Pope (600 BSA), 2 Nick Payton (400 Maico), 3 Roger Dunford (500 BSA), 4 Alex Baraona (560 Jawa Wasp).
Grand Final (All-comers combined): 1 Tom Crump (500 Jawa), 2 Nick Payton (400 Maico)
Winner Len Vale-Onslow Trophy (King of the Hill): Tom Crump
Winner Silver Helmet (Fastest time of the Day): Tom Crump 19.72secs
