Sunbeam ready to shine
By TMX Archives on 3rd Dec 10
THE Sunbeam and West of England clubs are hoping for an early end to the current cold spell, so that the prestigious Southern Experts trial, which will be near Widdecombe in the Moor, in Devon, can go ahead as scheduled on Sunday, writes Mick Perry.
Although entries are down in terms of sheer numbers the event still boasts a quality line-up consisting of 20 Experts, as many Clubmen Experts plus a healthy 13 sidecar crews.
The off-road venue is Hound Tor, where solos face three laps of 15 sections.
On past performances Gas Gas duo Sam Haslam and Ross Danby have to start as pre-event favourites but new South West centre champion Joe Baker will be out to upset the form book on what is for him home ground on the 2011 Scorpa.
Others in with a shout must include James Fry, Ben Wibberly and Ben Morphett plus locals Nick Baker, Ross and Keelan Hancock while Becky Cook will certainly not disgrace herself in what is a quality expert field.
Emma Bristow will add the female touch in the Clubman Expert class, where she faces the evergreen Chris Koch and Dave Clinkard plus regular local award winners Mick Thompson, Rob Wrayford, Chris Blackmore, Niall Laming and Andy Noad.
Bristol crews Phil Sparks/ Roger Tuck, Dave Tuck/ Steve Chandler plus Bernie Chambers and partner are among the half-dozen Expert class crews in the sidecar event over a separate route devised by Exeter enthusiast Andy Cheeseman.
The seven-strong Clubman sidecar line-up includes Paul Churchill, Mike Jewell, Shaun Jenkins and Steve Rawle plus their respective crewmen and former Wessex centre solo star, Andy Scrivens.
Results will be compiled at the finish by Wilts Border club enthusiasts Mark and Theresa Talbot. The start will be at Widdecombe on the Moor, near Newton Abbot, Devon, with a fresh 9.30am start at Hound Tor.