Report: Dan Clark edges home Pre-65 nailbiter
By John Dickinson on 4th May 16
YORKSHIRES Dan Clark won last weeks classic Two Day Pre-65 Scottish trial, staged in and around the village of Kinlochleven, near Fort William, in Lochaber, after an all-action display of riding on his twin-cylinder 500 Triumph.
But it was the tightest of victories for Clarkey as after 60 observed sections over the two days the first three riders had dropped just three marks and had to be separated on tie-breaks which meant that both Ben Butterworth and Murray Whittaker came away having been so close, yet so far from the Premier.
Lancashire lad Butterworth had entertained the crowds royally on his beautifully-prepped 500 Ariel – which had wrecked its engine only weeks ago when the oil pump failed and had to be totally re-built.
Tiger-Cub mounted Murray – dressed as ever like a Highland gent – was left to reflect on just how close he had come to becoming the first-ever Scottish winner of the trial, something that is long overdue.
And it was every bit as close for the next three places as first-day leader James Harland – who logged the only clean day of the weekend – just pipped best Newcomer Dan Thorpe and a determined Eddie Aitken (all three on Triumphs), Dan on a Cub and the other two on rorty big twins.
The trial, staged last Friday and Saturday, was run in almost perfect weather conditions with only the odd wintry shower to remind riders and spectators just where they were in the world.
This was amazing considering that Thursday had seen appalling weather and many had endured one of the worst drives up to the Highlands with conditions particularly bad at Calendar, where snow and sleet caused several accidents.
However, all that was forgotten on Friday morning as Scot Mark McComisky fired-up his Francis Barnett and rode down the ramp to get the 2016 evet underway after Guest of Honour Guy Martin had led the recently introduced but already traditional parade of riders and machines through Kinlochleven on the 350 Ariel he borrowed from Ian Weatherill of Hope Engineering, one of the event sponsors.
As usual the entry was split into odd and even numbers, with Odds heading down the road to the south of Loch Leven to take in five groups of sections in a loop, which was perfect for spectators.
Evens headed out onto the famous Mamore road, avoiding a large new hydro electric scheme being built into the mountainside, following the road as far as Callart before making the strength-sapping ride down the steep mountainside to the road and back to the village.
The split just helps to avoid overlong queues and keeps the trial ticking along.
Most riders actually had more than ample time for the 30 subs.
Probably the hardest sub of the day was the fifth and last at Cnoc a Linnhe where plenty of spectators made the short, sharp, climb up the hillside to witness the action.
The steeply climbing loose rock gully was in evil form and while there were plenty of spirited attempts the hill gave up precious few cleans. Of the odd numbers, Ben Butterworth set the standard with a quick approach and a dynamic assault on the difficult and slippery step near the top, which defeated so many good attempts.
Ben hopped the Ariel over the rock like it was a modern bike. He was actually initially credited with a five here but the error was put right before Friday morning.
Clarkey was actually next man up and he too ripped up the hazad, the Triumph buzzing furiously as Dan piloted it to a second cracking clean.
As the entry progressed there were others, including what was to many the ride of the day from Jim Lampkin, riding his dad Sid's 1966 winning BSA C15.
This is an original bike, not a tricked-up Britshock, with precious little ground clearance.
Only a five towards the end of the day stopped Jim making a serious attack on the lead but ninth overall at the end of the event was a great effort.
To see Sid's face and reaction when Jim cleaned Pipeline on Saturday was priceless.
He was supposed to be videoing the ride on his phone but after Jim cleaned the awkward half-way step Sid dropped the phone, leaped into the section and cheered his lad on.
Back on Cnoc a Linnhe on Friday, a ride that equalled that of Jim's came later on from the Even numbers when veteran Scot – he's ridden umpteen Pre-65s and Six Days – Neil Dawson battled his 250 Sprite in a lock-to-lock ascent of the hill having been all wrong right from the Ins cards.
It was amazing to watch and received suitable acclaim!
Saturday's Pipeline always was and still is a brilliant section for Pre-65 bikes.
Many riders spent a long time inspecting the line in the top sub but the truth is, the hill was conquered many times, in many ways, on many bikes on every possible route.
There is no right or wrong way to clean it. Straight and fast, slow and steady, high gear or low cog, it can be and was bossed many times, with every effort applauded by the knowledgeable crowd, who also sympathised with every failure.
One rider who did clean it was local teenager Calum Murphy, from Glencoe, and the lad surprised everyone with his performances all weekend on a Bantam that was purchased from Alan Wright (as Wrighty informed everyone!) and seventh overall was a superb effort and a great result for the locals.
Dan Thorpe took Best Newcomer as he joined Dad Dave, a multi winner of the trial, both on Cubs of course.
Dan said on Friday: "I've watched this trial loads of times but through Gas Gas eyes, it isn't quite as easy on a Pre-65.”
Not to be outdone, Dave showed everyone how to ride Pipeline with one of the easiest looking efforts of the afternoon.
In contrast, Dave Watson entertained the crowds twice!
The big Yorkshireman wrung the neck of his ex factory 360 Royal Enfield in a high-speed, all-action attempt, only to run into someone who didn't get out of his way, almost at the top of the hill.
Dave claimed a baulk and had to ride the whole hill again. Same speed, same noise, same action and a well applauded clean.
Once again it was a brilliant two days with every competitor deserving a mention.
Yrjo Vesterinen, on surely the prettiest BSA Bantam ever constructed, bagged the Over 60 award.
But Vesty must be gutted to lose out on a Special First Class award on a tie-break, pipped by Ariel mounted Colin Bailey but having the edge on Les Winthrop who has been Best Scot many times.
Regular Irish visitor Mark Harries was Best Foreign rider while Simon Sharp's total of just 29 on a Rigid Cub was well worth an award.
Janice Proctor was the only girl in the trial this year and cruised round to a well deserved Best Lady award.
