Report: National Cliff Collinson Trial
By John Watson on 9th Nov 16
The Peace household and most of Kirkbymoorside - was alive with celebration on Sunday night as JST Cloburn Gas Gas rider Jack Peace added another impressive win to his CV, nailing his first National win on home soil to pocket the big money on offer, plus the magnificent Cliff Collinson Trophy with a superb ride of just 15 marks lost.
The 16-year old multiple champion held on under pressure, to win by two marks from Spain's Benoit Bincaz, whose face lit up - not sure if it was being presented with the £150 cheque, or the kiss from Eileen Race - while elder brother Dan Peace finished third a further point down.
Sunday morning saw a monumental effort from the Scarborough DMC team. Led by the unflappable Pat Galway, it was amazing the trial actually ran as Low North camp was awash.
Torrential rain overnight saw blue and red flags scattered along the beach of the East Coast. But, a delay of just a half-hour saw the trial under way with many hazards re-routed. The hillclimb of six now became the first tester.
It was a tight left-hander with a wriggle through trees before firing up over two rock steps which defeated all Experts; Dan Peace making by far the best effort here.
Clubman winner Paul Wheatley cleaned easily, as did Chris Jewell who was really up for this one posting the best Clubman score first lap with four.
Wheatley and Matt Sharp followed on five, and Montesa-men Mike Noble and Alan Williams on six.
Not so lucky on the climb was ‘Cloburn' head man Phil Clough who just slipped back off the final log step.
The rocks at Foundations saw the international contingent add their own brand of entertainment, displaying a liking for big rock steps, as did Andy Chilton.
But ‘Chilly' was having a poor first lap - by his standards – annoyed with a failure (Benoit learnt some new English words here) on the awkward gnarly roots of the Bailey Bridge hazard.
Rob Waite was at his best here with an outstanding clean, the only one. ‘Chilly' copped a five at Top Rocks and Dan P hit problems when the engine kill stopped him on Keith Ellis', leaving the talented youngsters Toby Martyn and Jack to lead the field first lap on seven apiece, with Kendra and Tom Wood heading the Inter line-up.
Second lap saw Cornwall's Martyn undo all his hard work, slipping back with a couple of fives. Dan Peace produced best second lap score on five with Chilly and Bincaz next on six and seven and all began to add pressure.
But it was the tall, stylish Welsh man Iwan Roberts' turn for glory as he piled the coals on up the notorious hill, flying out of the top for a truly amazing clean ride.
Chilton fived here, but then lost just one more to finish on six as Jack, riding at the back of the field, kept his head and after a five on the almost impossible hill, just three more marks went astray on the latter sections which was enough to see him through for a truly remarkable win.
Kendra put together a great last lap of three lost to take the Intermediate win from Michael Todd – and Wheatley held on in a close finish to win Clubman by one mark from Mark Taylor with Mike Noble third.
Well done to both club and riders in exceptional circumstances in making this event happen.
Results
Expert: Jack Peace (JST Cloburn Gas Gas 15, Benoit Bicarz (Scorpa) 17, Dan Peace (JST Cloburn Gas Gas) 18.
Intermediate: Olly Kendra (Cloburn Sherco) 15, Michael Todd (Cloburn Sherco) 25.
Clubman: Paul Wheatley (Sherco) 8, Mark Taylor (Beta) 9, Mike Noble Montesa) 12, Alan Williams (Montesa) 13, Chris Jewell (Gas Gas)
Best Scarborough Expert: Andy Chilton (AM Birkett Scorpa) 22.
Best Scarborough Inter: Tom Wood (Gas Gas) 29.
Best Scarborough Clubman: Andy Lockwood (Montesa) 17
