Report: Manchester MCC
By TMX Archives on 7th May 14
Heaton House welcomed Manchester 17 to its lovely grassy banks, huge mature trees and old quarry workings on a dry and breezy Spring Bank Holiday Monday.
This side of the ‘wedding farm' venue offers amazing views across the Cheshire plain as far as Liverpool, the south Lancashire hills and Frodsham Head, which also allows the breeze uncluttered access and dries the morning dew nicely.
This ‘while everyone is in Scotland' Dead Easy event has always attracted a decent youth entry this year was no exception with 30 of the 68 entry youngsters. They were also well represented in the results with Scott Hipwell and riding mate Tom Shepard both ending the day's 40 sections clean on the Harder course while on the easier, ‘Dead Easy' course Youth D rider Libby Cook also managed a clean card.
Not that the sections were not challenging as they took advantage of the rocks, natural steep bankings and trees to test riders balance and control. It was grip that was not in short supply as the recent dry spell and breeze improved traction helping the end scores look like the sections were less tricky than usual. They weren't.
Joining talented youngsters Tom Shepard and Scott Hipwell on clean were Derick and Paul Wagstaff, Rob Mycock, Bryan Cook and Bob Baker all riding other than modern machinery.
The most unusual machine was a rigid rear Japette riden by Werner Eckel who's single dab ride on the Hard route was pretty decent taking the last tie-break from first of the modern-mounted finishers, Andy Abraham, who waited until his last lap to drop his one, while Andy parted with his on the second.
Meanwhile, on the Dead Easy route Stephen Simpson joined Libby Cook on clean wile Youth C riders Max Ryder and Andrew Renshaw conspired to have just a couple of singles apiece so again had to be separated on a furthest clean tie break, with Max not spending his first prod until the second lap while both of Andrews singles came on the first.
The conducted course took in three laps of six-sections spread across the whole venue with sections ridden in one direction before the lunch break and then in the other direction after lunch giving 36 sections in all.
Liam Campbell posted best performance with just less than a dab a section on 34 while Douglas Christopher took runner-up.
RESULTS
Harder Route
Over 40: Bob Baker (James) clean, Werner Eckel (Japette) 1 marks lost, Tony Hitchinson (Beta) 4.
Novice: Derick Wagstaff (Yam) & Bryan Cook (???) clean, Andy Abraham (Beta) 1, Simon Clarke (Beta) 2.
Over 40: Andrew Stanley (Gas Gas) 6.
Twin-shock: Paul Wagstaff (SWM) & Robert Mycock (Bultaco) clean, Paul Brook (Montesa) 6.
Youth B: Scot Hipwell (Beta) clean, Oliver Jenkins (Beta) 4, Daniel Renshaw (Gas Gas) 4.
Youth C: Tom Shepard (Beta) clean.
Dead Easy Route
Over 40: Ant Harris (Montesa) 2, David Hibbert (Honda) 14.
Novice: Stephen Simpson (Montesa) clean, Darren Earnshaw (Scorpa) 7, David Hallam (Beta) 11.
Twin-shock: Peter Futers (Yamaha) 8.
Youth B: Oliver Allen (Gas Gas) 19.
Youth C: Max Ryder (Gas Gas) 2 (fc), Andrew Renshaw (Beta) 2.
Youth D: Alfie Barlow (Gas Gas) 18.
Conducted Route
Youth D: Liam Campell (Gas Gas ) 34.
Youth C: Douglas Christopher (Oset) 55.
