Report: Rd 1 S3 Parts National Clubman Trials Championship
By Colin Bullock on 15th Feb 17
Stratford on Avon MCC hosted round one of the 2017 S3 Trials series last weekend, starting from a new venue at Lower Quinton, six miles south of Stratford meaning riders would only have a mile ride to the first group.
This would not be unwelcome as the temperatures hovered around zero all day. In addition to the cold, recent wet weather meant the hazards were slippery and scores would reflect the conditions. Among the subs, the three at Meon Hill were very exposed.
Slatters was the first hazard of the day which featured climbs and drops. It took some time to see a clean on the Championship route and one of the best early efforts was posted by Craig Talbot.
James Fry was superb, just getting the Sherco to grip at slow speed. By contrast Sam Haslam and Ross Danby were more forceful but no-less effective. Chris Alford was, however, the most spectacular, finding some grip when it was not expected.
In the Championship class Luke Walker must have thought it was not going to be his day. After a three on the opening section of the day he suffered a five at Meon. Things got much better however, and the Earl Shilton Clubman was be smiling by the end of the day.
Everyone struggled at Mickleton Woods, and there were only a succession of threes and fives from the entire Championship entry on the Hard route at sections seven and eight.
James Fry escaped the second of these with a two which was the only one posted and was only beaten here by non-points scoring entrant Sam Haslam who made a fantastic clean.
Even Shirty was impressed - the Gas Gas boss was having a ride out himself and was enjoying the challenge.
Kiftsgate was more of the same with banks, turns and climbs and for most of the entry scores were climbing and cleans hard-earned.
Section 13 was unlucky for most, although Fry was excellent here with a single dab ride.
In class D cleans were taken by Ross Danby and Haslam. Just before the punch card change two more tough climbs were found at Railway.
The first was harder but the second was worth watching as Luke Walker, Simon Welch and Rob Warner blasted their way through.
The snow which had piled in around midday eventually stopped, then Walker was leading in the S3 from Welch with Fry in third.
The non-Championship was showing Danby and Haslam on 11 each whilst Ian Wakeford was showing everyone the way on the Clubman's route.
Sections at Jones's Gorse and Hancock's provided some easier subs and Luke Walker posted eight straight cleans before a five in Weston Wood.
Lord Warner once again entertained with a single dab blast on the Mont which was matched by Sam Yeadon.
Ian Wakeford was leading the way on the easier
route, although Barry Roads was doing his best to stay with him.
John Cowley was having a much better second card but he had too much to do and he had to settle for fourth behind James Gammons.
The section at Totties saw only one clean and when Simon Welch fived Walker had the S3 Round 1 won, .
Class D went to Ross Danby from Sam Haslam with Dan Thorpe third.
Ross had sneaked ahead at Hancock's and made best score of the day with 19 marks lost.
Ian Wakeford was clear in the Clubman's from Roads with James Gammons third.
S3-PARTS NATIONAL CLUBMAN TRIALS CHAMPIONSHIP
Rd 1 – Colmore Cup Trial at The College Arms, Upper Quinton, Warwickshire (Stratford-on-Avon MCC)
CLASS A: Luke Walker (MRS Sherco) 49, Simon Welch (300 BVM KC Sherco) 57, Rob Warner (300 Montesa) 59, James Fry (300 MRS Sherco) 63, Ben Skinner (300 Gas Gas) 71, Sam Yeadon (300 Acklams Beta) 81, Buster Regan (300 Beta) 84, John Shirt (250 JST Gas Gas) 86, Chris Alford (JST Cloburn Gas Gas) 87, Craig Talbot (300 BVM Beta) 91, Ben Sprigg (300 TRS UK) 99, Gareth Talbot (300 BVM Beta) 102, Tim Pearson (300 Splat Sherco) 105, Guy Kenyon-Bell (Gas Gas) 107, Tom Nicholas (300 Montesa RR) 108.
CLASS D: Ian Wakeford (300 Gas Gas) 12, Barry Roads (300 Gas Gas) 23, James Gammons (250 Gas Gas) 29, John Cowley (280 TRS) 33, Philip Martin (300 Gas Gas) 34, Marcus Faulkner (250 Gas Gas) 34, Darren Wasley (300 Gas Gas) 38, Ian Fortune (Sherco) 45, George Marshall 54, John Holland (300 Beta) 58, Sam Atherton (Gas Gas) 62, Ian Watts 63, Martin Podesta (280 TRS) 64, Steve Clift (280 Gas Gas) 71, Simon Hiscock (270 Beta) 78.
Non Championship Classes
Expert: Ross Danby (SXS TRS UK) 19, Sam Haslam (JST Gas Gas 300) 20, Dan Thorpe (JST Gas Gas UK 300) 35.
NEXT ROUND: February 26 – Wallace Cup Trial at Horse & Harrow, West Hagbourne, nr Didcot (North Berks MCC).
