2020 S3 Parts series preview
By John Dickinson on 12th Feb 20
Once again the nine-round 2020 S3 Parts series comprises some of the best traditional trials in the calendar and each event is sure and worthy of a large entry in its own right.
Beginning with the Wallace Cup in Oxfordshire and ending with the Travers in Northumberland, the events are mainly Midland to Northern-based.
The Richmond clubs Gerald Simpson is a welcome addition to the series this year and will take place in picturesque Coverdale in May.
As last year there will be three main class Championships, Expert, Clubman and Over 40. The Clubman and Over 40 classes were separated last year and the move proved popular with the three Champs being Dan Thorpe (Expert), Philip Houghton (Over 40) and Richard Fraser (Clubman). Richards brother Tom finished second!
The S3 Parts is one of the most popular series and theres no doubt it will be a success for all the right reasons and TMX will keep you up to date with reports, pictures and Championship standings throughout the season...
Alicia Robinson will be there at the first round
North Berks MCC will be hosting the opening round of the S3 Parts Solo ACU Championship this Sunday, February 16, writes Leah Robinson the Wallace Cup.
Starting from the Horse and Harrow, West Hagbourne, Oxon, the first rider, local lad Justin Heavens, will be flagged away at 9.30am to head off to Nappers, the old disused railway banks.
With a healthy entry of S3 Clubman and Over 40s, once theyve completed the four sections at Nappers riders make their way down to the Moores to complete six sections.
Then they will head over to North Berks famous Seymours Arena for eight challenging sections, a great place for spectators to watch with ample parking, toilets and refreshments.
After here riders make their way to Lollingdon Hill through the small picturesque village of Aston Tirrold, where riders and support vehicles are reminded to abide by the speed limit.
As the Clubmen make their way to Lollingdon Hill, the S3 Expert and Elite riders will be getting a good test of ability on sections two and four along the Railway Bank.
The last S3 Expert rider away will be reigning Champion Dan Thorpe, who will be working hard to hold on to his title. Sam Yeadon (Acklams Beta), Richard Timpley (JST GasGas), Emma Bristow (MRS Sherco), Luke Walker (MRS Sherco) and Sam Beecroft-Penny (TRS) are just a few of the top runners who will be after the Wallace Cup S3 Expert win.
Reigning S3 Parts Champion Dan Thorpe
The Elite riders will be the last to leave, with Hugo Jervis (TRSUK) as the first rider away, followed by James Fry (MRS Sherco), Ross Danby (TRS), Andy Chilton (Birkett Scorpa) and team-mate Tom Minta.
With Sam Haslam making his first National appearance on the John Lee Honda, it will be very interesting to see how he copes with the four-stroke power.
Chris Stay (TRS) and Jack Sheppard (MRS Sherco) will be the last riders leaving to tackle the single lap of 38 sections, plotted by Stuart Robinson and his loyal band of helpers.
A great turnout of eight lady riders sees Katy Nash (TRS) first away with Louise Alford (JST GasGas) followed by local girl Alicia Robinson coming off her 250 to ride her Top Trial Team 125 Beta Victoria Payne (MRS Sherco), Meg Savage (GasGas), Katy Sumter (JST GasGas), Jess Bown (Birkett Scorpa) and of course World Champion Emma Bristow (MRS Sherco).
The competition will see 30 Over 40 riders competing on the S3 Clubman course, with the Cowley brothers John and Tony, Dave Clinkard, Paul Doney and Phil Houghton just some of the names battling it out for the win.
Riders will head across a 20-mile loop covering Oxfordshires picturesque countryside, with four spectacular sections back at the start/ finish.
Please do not park on the busy 417, use the parking fields provided.
The trial finishes off at the Horse and Harrow Pub and please support Tony and Helen at the pub as this is a great venue to start and finish the event. Grab yourself a drink and reminisce about your day.
Riders: Make sure all bikes have registration number plates, otherwise start is prohibited.
The Westmorland Motor Club is in charge of the second round of the S3 Parts series and will promote their Milnthorpe Cup trial on Sunday, March 1.
The Milnthorpe Cup will start and finish at Bowland Bridge, near Kendal, South Cumbria where an 18-mile single-lap road-based (narrow country lanes) event will take in multiple groups of sections with rocky outcrops, slippery woods and watery becks.
It is a superb trial in a superb trials country and only around 15 minutes from J36 on the M6.
Entries are open NOW on the ACU website online entry system.
2020 S3 Parts National Series Schedule
February 16: North Berks, Wallace Cup
March 1: Westmorland, Milnthorpe Cup
March 8: Stratford: Colmore Cup
March 29: Hillsborough, Jack Wood
April 13: Llangollen, Lomax Cup
April 19: Yeadon Guiseley, Chris Carter
May 17: Richmond, Gerald Simpson
June 21: Wetherby, Wainwright Shield
September 20: Newcastle, Travers Trophy
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