Super Sadler Travers Well
By TMX Archives on 4th Oct 13
Richard Sadler, MRS Sherco, already crowned S3 champ for 2013 finished off this years S3 championship with yet another win in the final round at the Travers Trophy Trial, run as ever by the Newcastle and District Motor Club.
After having dominated the series this year Sadler, from Leyburn in west Yorkshire, dropped most of his 20 marks over the first half of the course following the start which was as usual at St. John's Chapel in Weardale.
Second place went to Gas Gas mounted Dan Thorpe, who finished five adrift of the winner after 40 sections which started off tough but eased as the trial moved into the Langdon Beck and Hartside areas.
Guy Kendrew and Luke Walker came out best on section two, with single dab efforts up the tightly marked climb.
But both went on to five sections later in the group, while no-one bettered a three up section five, a difficult stream above Cowshill.
Kendrew was also looking good with the only clean in the second Whetstonemea sub by the roadside.
And yet again with a one dab ride up the first Smallburns hazard, while everyone else here was resorting to footing up the multi-stepped gully.
John Crinson buried his bogey section, the huge final step out of the third Smallburns section, with the only clean of the day, but later had to concede to a long term back problem which unfortunately forced him out after the half way mark.
Two fives on the trot at remote Sunnyside and Killhope put paid to Kendrew's chance of the win and Thorpe's five in Trough Shop, edging back towards the finish edged him out of the running as Sadler completed the second half of the course for just four marks.
Dave Clinkard made his long haul up north worth his while with a win in the Over 40 class, finishing on a total of 88, with local stalwart Gary Pears just one mark adrift in second spot.
Colin Ward turned back the years to take the Clubman Course win, but with 40 marks to his name didn't have the easiest of days, and was closely followed by Richard Fawcett who finished five marks behind, including two on time.
Third placed Thomas Fraser was best up the final Smallburns section with a two.
And Ben Rennison should be pleased with his single dab on the fifth section, the best ride of the day.
Wardy and Fawcett were consistent over the whole course but the trial was finally decided in the last group where the winner dropped just the one while Fawcett cast six over these last four sections.
