Sharp Thorne...
By TMX Archives on 13th Sep 07
THE South West Classic Trials Association's annual Dartmoor Two-day Classic Trial attracted an entry of 95 riders at the weekend in brilliant south Devon sunshine. The Pre-65 and Twin-shock entrants faced three laps of 16 sections on each day through rocky streams and muddy turns in the Oakwood Copses of the South Hams area of Devon on the lower reaches of Dartmoor.
Top of the bunch was Devonian Thorne Beckley-Pettriding in his usual exuberant style losing just two dabs on Saturdayand three on Sunday for a weekend total of five.
In the Unit Class, Peter Gaunt. trying out theevent for the first time in its 20-year history, topped the Unit classwith a score of 15 which included a five for missing the exit of therocky stream on section six on day one.
The tricky right-hand turn out of the DartmoorGranite stream of section ten on Saturday caught most riders for somemarks. Only Andy Wilson and Beckley-Pett managed a clean on all threevisits here.
Best of the bigger Pre-65 riders was John Kendall who managed with just two dabs.
There was a sting in the tail of the final sectionon day one. Here, the only trio of cleans were on the easier Route B byMike Fear, Andy Blacker and Colin Legg.
At the close of day one, many riders eithergathered around the fire while camping at the start or enjoyed aAssociation dinner at a hotel in Totnes and discussed the day's events.
Day two brought a little relief from the sun andriders faced a different set of sections based at the same venue. Somebetter scores were recorded as riders became more accustomed to therocks. Again it was the last turns through the mud of section 15 and 16which caught many - not for fives, but for dabs and footing.
DARTMOOR CLASSIC TWO-DAY TRIAL Oakwood Copses, South Hams
STAR ROUTE
Twin-shock: Thorne Beckley-Pett (200 Honda) 5 marks lost, Andrew Symonds (156 Fantic) 12, Andy Wilson (250 Yamaha) 14.
Unit: Peter Gaunt (247 Royal Enfield) 15, Tim Heard (199 Triumph) 21, Colin Dommett (270 BSA) 25.
Pre-Unit/ Twin-cylinder: Roger Trott (350 AJS) 30, John Kendall (350 Triumph) 32, Mark Baker (500 Ariel) 36.
Two-stroke: Bryn Matton (175 Bantam) 21, Dave Spurgeon (246 Greeves) 43, Tim Steatfield (250 Greeves) 50.
GENTLEFOLK ROUTE
Twin-shock: Mark Vining (150 Honda) 15, Tony Henbest (200 Honda) 16, Danny Booker (250 Kawasaki) 23.
Unit: Alan Borton (250 BSA) 13, Mike Fear (199 Triumph) 17, Mike Palfrey (199 Triumph) ??.
Pre-Unit/ Twin-cylinder: John Pym (350 Trifield) 28, Nick Burr (350 AJS) 53, Viv Stephens (500 Triumph) 68.
Two-stroke: John Foot (175 Cotton) 30, Robin Wakely (175 Cotton) 91.
Rigid: Bernard Rodemark (290 BSA) 27, Mike Hollaway (400 AJS) 91.
Best SW Resident: Mike Fear (199 Triumph) 17 (Midland Bank Cup).
For full story and pictures see T+MX NEWS, Friday, September 14, 2007.
