Trials Torque: It’s Sunday best for title chasers

In Cumbria there's S3 Parts Clubman action and in Derbyshire there's a Ladies British Championship round, while over in Yorkshire the Sammy Miller British Bike series reaches its halfway point.

 

The Westmorland Motor Club's Astley Trophy Trial amazingly represents the eighth and penultimate round of the S3 Parts National Clubman Champs and so is important for those Championship chasers as after this weekend there is only the Newcastle club's Travers Trophy to go, although there's a two-month wait for that.

 

As last year the Astley will take place in the Kentmere valley, between Kendal and Windermere and will start at Waterford Bridge, LA8 9JJ. 

 

The course will be one lap of around 20 miles of fabulous trials country and sections will include becks, climbs and plenty of rocks! 

 

The club has worked hard to improve on last year's excellent course and includes two groups that haven't been used for several decades, the tough climb up the gully behind Longhouses and the group beyond Kentmere village at Rook Howe.

Chris Pearson currently leads the series but with one round to drop he needs to keep the pressure on and will no doubt be hassled by Luke Walker, John Crinson and Richard Timperley. 

 

Tony Scarlett has already tied-up the Over 40 title and Joe Spivey is as good as crowned 125 champ.

 

In the non-Championship class the competitive trio of Richard Sadler, Guy Kendrew and Dan Thorpe will no doubt circulate together in their own private battle and will be hoping to get their hands on the Premier for the Astley Trophy.

Start time will be 10am.

 

The 2015 British Womens and Girls series is also well on its way as it reaches the fifth of seven rounds and on Sunday Mansfield Maun plays host at its superb Bracken Rocks venue at Holloway in Derbyshire and has attracted a mighty entry of 43 ladies.

 

And the lead in five out of the six classes could change on Sunday, deep in the Derbyshire Dales as in all but the Intermediate Class A, the margins at the top of the tables are less than 10, and even as close as two in Class C.

 

Becky Cook heads the adults, with Doncaster chef Donna Fox trailing the Isle of Wight star by a mere five points. 

 

Title holder Emma Bristow missed the second event at the beginning of June and the World Champ has to bridge the nine-point advantage held by Becky.

 

With the Isle of Man hosting the final two trials on the weekend August 1-2, Sunday is a vital for all six classes..

It's encouraging that newcomers are making waves in some classes. Co Durham's Amelia and Molly Mayhem, Gargrave Sherco mounted teenager Francesca Tattersall,Leeds livewire Poppy Fletcher and her Oset, Bethanie Dunning and Olivia Brooksbank are all super competitive. 

 

The Manx girls down to make the trip to Bracken are Sophie-May Hardie, Kaytlyn Adshead and Ellla Doherty. That trio got the Isle of Man the second place in the girls team championship a mere one point behind the Yorkies.

 

Camping is available with permanent facilities at Bracken Rocks and there will be a quality caterer. 

 

The course will be three laps of 12 sections with a six-hour time allowance and punchcards are in use. 

Don't forget the ACU licence as it will be checked on signing-on.

 

Finally, the Sammy Miller British Bike Series reaches its halfway house with the fourth round taking place in North Yorkshire on Sunday.

 

The entry listed sees the legend that is Peter Gaunt turning out on a 100cc Honda machine, the latest hand-made gem from this innovative septegenarian. Mick Grant, Eric Boocock, Keith Gardner, Ian and Malcolm Peberdy, Graham Howes and Kevin Stannard, are expected to be amongst the front runners along with Jim Jardine and Scottish Pre-65 winner James Noble.

 

The trial is based at Pateley Bridge Auction Mart from which the first man will be dispatched at 10am. 

The course takes in picturesque Nidderdale with a mileage of 35 miles and up to 35 sections. 

 

Punch cards will be used so that results can be issued 30 minutes after the last competitor signs off. 

 

The Teacups Café in Pateley will be open all day and the trial will be controlled from the offices within.