Report: Terry Cup Christmas Pudding Trial
By Team TMX on 9th Dec 15
Grey overcast skies greeted the 90 riders for the annual Redditch MCC Terry Cup Christmas Pudding trial this years event had attracted entries from many riders outside of the centre, including Iwan Roberts who had made the journey from deepest Wales.
Grey overcast skies greeted the 90 riders for the annual Redditch MCC Terry Cup Christmas Pudding trial – this year's event had attracted entries from many riders outside of the centre, including Iwan Roberts who had made the journey from deepest Wales.
Ross Danby was unfortunately still without the new TRS so was on hand to observe and give his advice to all those who requested it.
First section of the day in Davis's Yard on the large spoil banks was straightforward, except Colin Leese on the Chase Yamaha being first man up sank in the loose soil putting a five on his card – that would cost him the class win after the scores were added up.
Eventual winner Lee Beaman made good use of his early number and went round for a very respectable 16, with Darren Phypers rounding out the top three.
In the Pre 65 class, Mick Chapman on his very sweet little Bantam, put his 60th birthday celebrations behind him, and showed his sparring partner Carl Blakeley on his 343 BSA that he still has a lot to learn from the old master, finishing on 26 and 29 respectively.
In the 50/50 class it was always going to be a close fought battle - Chris Koch finally took the honours from John Cowley on two more cleans with Daventry farmer Ian Watts closely behind on 18.
Old timers Pete Ruscoe and Ali Haigh, showing much improved form, were in a close battle with another old boy Tony Cowley with a mark separating each of them.
Scott Rowland made the trip down from Derbyshire to take a convincing win in the Over 40 class on 11, from evergreen Jim Teague on 21.
In the Expert class, Ben Sprigg on his Sherco was going to keep Iwan Roberts honest, and even riding with a broken finger, heavily strapped, sustained the week before, he was putting in maximum effort.
At section 14, on Jones's Lane, observed by Ross Danby, the climb over big roots, deteriorated following a 20 minute shower - Iwan got up for a three, but Ben with the Sherco on maximum revs found grip when he didn't need it and the bike flipped and cartwheeled putting Spriggy to the floor.
Steve Harris, out first time on the ex Ian Cook Montesa put the throttle on maximum and got up for a three. The final section of the day was a formality for the overall positions as Iwan had done enough to make the win his.
However, the section took a five off Iwan as he tried to jump the stream and didn't quite make it – Spriggy and Steve Harris decided that riding into the stream was a better option and got away with a two and a three respectively.
It was not a good day for Hubert Nightingale – the course opener had a slight coming together with a car and is now nursing a broken toe, cut hand and bruised ribs after bouncing down the road – get well soon.
The final section of the day was a formality for the overall positions as Iwan had done enough to make the win his.
However, the section took a five off Iwan as he tried to jump the stream and didn't quite make it – Spriggy and Steve Harris decided that riding into the stream was a better option and got away with a two and a three respectively.
It was not a good day for Hubert Nightingale – the course opener had a slight coming together with a car and is now nursing a broken toe, cut hand and bruised ribs after bouncing down the road – get well soon.
Results
Expert: Iwan Roberts (Beta) 20 marks lost, Ben Sprigg (Sherco) 33, Steve Harris (Montesa) 45, Buster Regan (Beta) 47, Guy Kenyon Bell (Gas Gas) 50, Sam Gent (Beta) 59.
50/50 route: Chris Koch (Montesa) 13, John Cowley (Sherco) 13, Ian Watts (Beta) 18, Pete Ruscoe (Gas Gas) 25, Ali Haigh (Beta) 26, Tony Cowley (Sherco) 27.
Clubman: Lee Beaman (Beta) 16, Colin Leese (Chase TY) 18, Darren Phypers (Beta) 19, Steve Peak (Montesa) 26, Paul Davis (Scorpa) 26, Rob Higgins (Gas Gas) 29.
Over 40: Scott Rowland (Gas Gas) 11, Jim Teague (Gas Gas) 21, Andy Foot (Gas Gas) 23, Steve Wells (Montesa) 23, Dave Dale (Gas Gas) 26, Steve Davis (Yamaha) 27.
Pre 65: Mick Chapman (BSA) 26, Carl Blakeley (BSA) 29, Gerry Minshall (James) 41, Alan Halford (Tiger Cub) 92.
