S3 ready to rumble
By TMX Archives on 11th Feb 15
So we thought that in order to get you in the mood and looking forward to the full series wed have a look back at how the 2014 series panned-out.
Staged over eight rounds of traditional-style National trials over an eight month period, beginning with the Stratford club's Colmore Cup on March 2, and with the Newcastle club staging the finale with their re-vamped Travers Trophy on September 28, the series was a popular and resounding success.
As well as the main British Clubman Championship the series also included classes for Over 40s and 125s.
The main S3 series boasted a total of 52 points scorers, the Vets featured a healthy 20 over the year while the 125cc class only managed seven, a reflection you may think, given that these trials feature roadwork, on how many teenagers are bothering or have bothered to take their motorcycle driving test.
Guy Kendrew was crowned as S3 Parts champion when all was done and dusted, his second major title of 2014, having also bagged the Experts class in the main RT Keedwell sponsored ACU British series. It proved to be a fantastic year for the east Yorkshire Beta rider as he also claimed a brilliant fourth place in the Scottish Six Days Trial behind Dougie Lampkin, James Dabill and Sam Connor – all three are former Scottish Six Days winners.
Unlike in the British Experts series where he won every single round, Guy didn't have it all his own way in the S3 Clubman rounds.
At the halfway point he was actually trailing Sherco's Chris Pearson 70 points to 67, although at that stage nothing was as it seemed because with one round to drop from the eight no-one knew how they really stood.
Pearson got his S3 Championship off to a flying start with wins in both the Colmore, staged in the Cotswolds at Shipston on Stour, and the Hillsborough club's equally long-standing Jack Wood Trial staged at High Bradfield, north of Sheffield.
Kendrew was finding his feet with a second and a third as Richard Timperley nailed the runner-up berth at the Jack Wood.
Guy bagged his first win in April in the Yeadon Guiseley club's Chris Carter promotion, run mainly in amongst the trees at Dob Park and Brown's Wood, near Otley in west Yorks.
Jack Spencer – who only contested three rounds – finished runner-up with Pearson down in fourth behind Martin Crosswaite. ‘Crosser' only turned out for his local round.
The Llangollen club then ran its Lomax Cup on the traditional Easter Monday date (April 21 last year), when former trials ace turned enduro champ Tom Sagar made a sole appearance and promptly took the win and the 20 points.
This was a practice run out on a trials bike for Tom before his annual appearance at the Scottish Six Days, where he finished a competent 21st overall enjoying several excellent days in the top ten.
Chris and Guy finished second and third and then the tables were turned to keep things nice and tight at the top, as the series headed into Cumbria for the Cumberland club's historic Alan Trophy Trial, staged near Penrith.
There Guy nailed the win and the event proved the turning point in the series, as he was never headed from this point on to take victory in the final four rounds.
Luke Walker completed the leader-board at the Alan but the Sherco ace from Ashby de la Zouch opted to miss the following round a month later when the S3 crew re-assembled back in Cumbria, this time for the Westmorland club's Astley Trial.
Due to a bad date clash with the Allan Jefferies National, staged less than 30-miles away, the organisers were disappointed that their excellent trial was sadly short of entries.
They are hoping for – and deserve – much better in 2015, with the trial staged in the picturesque Kentmere valley near Kendal, offering a fabulous mix of sections.
Pearson again trailed a very on-form Kendrew with west Yorkshire teenager James Stones netting third on his 125 Sherco.
With just two rounds to go it was into Mid Wales for the Powys Trophy in September and while Kendrew kept his winning streak going there was a change for second place as competitive north Wales teenager, Iwan Roberts, claimed the runner-up berth and was top 125 rider. Another young Welsh rider, Joel Edwards, completed the podium.
Having missed the Astley Trial, Luke Walker returned to the fray and was straight back into the points with fourth place, with Chris P a disappointed fifth.
As the field assembled on Sunday, September 28, for the Travers, neither Guy nor Chris nor anyone else was totally sure of the points situation as although Guy clearly had most points no-one was sure if the drop-score would be counted, so it was flat-out for the win.
As it happened Guy was still on top form and bagged the victory that sealed the title, however the points were divvied-up as Chris had another poor day, by his standards, in fourth.
Runner-up, in only his second S3 outing of the year, was north east ace Michael Phillipson and third was the ever reliable Beta teamster Ian Austermuhle in his only S3 ride of the season.
The Travers still took place over a single lap around Weardale but had been re-vamped with an easier Clubman route, which helped boost entries and was voted a hit by all who comntested the event.
In the final standings, with the drop score taken into account Guy took the Championship by 15 points from Chris whose form had dipped towards the end of the season, while a consistent Luke Walker took third ahead of Joel Edwards.
Richmond club youngster James Stones romped to the 125 class title and a fine fifth overall in the series after a lively season riding many Nationals as well as the S3 series. Dan Tuley gained valuable experience tackling six of the eight rounds to finish runner-up.
In the Over 40 class victory went to former British Championship challenger, former Yamaha and JCM factory rider Tony Scarlett, now back riding for fun on a four-stroke Beta.
Tony still shows silky skills and the Sheffield rider finished seventh in the full S3 Championships as well as running away with the Over 40 crown.
Congratulations to the three champions – Guy, Tony and young James.
All in all it was a great 2014 S3 Parts Clubman series and here's looking forward to another in 2015... starting on Sunday.
