Report: Sammy Miller British Bike Champs
By Colin Bullock on 25th Nov 16
Mid November means the Downlands Cup organised by the North Berkshire MCC. This years event had special significance as it marked the end of an era.
After 20 years this would be the very last event in the Sammy Miller sponsored series. Things change of course but it is sad to see the end of such a prestigious series and needless to say Sammy had made the trip up from the New Forest to see hear a tribute from John Lightfoot before he saw the riders off from the Horse and Harrow.
There were 34 solo subs and 30 sidecar hazards set around no less than 14 groups which had been changed around a little to provide some variety to the course.
The Pre Unit solos on the easier route were away first and they headed out to the six subs at Napper's Lane and The Moors with its mud and water.
John Cull was a clear winner in the Pre Unit Rigids and finished ten marks ahead of Adrian Mountain but the day did not start that well when he dropped an early five at The Moors.
After that though it was a very steady day for John. Graham Barton nearly caught Adrian for second but an extra mark lost at Fairmile Gallops put paid to that.
The Sidecars saw Lee Granby and Les Ashby take a clear win from Paul Randall and Richard Webb.
Pump house was the real stopper for the outfits where fives were very much the order of things although Kevin Morley and Bob Chapman did see the ends card at the first of these subs with a tremendous ride.
Lollingdon was also tough on the outfits, the tree routes and banks were pretty unforgiving.
Ian Peberty, who won the 2015 event, was once again dominant in the British Twinshock Pre 75 group.
On the hard route he dropped just seven marks, his worst ride coming at Lollington.
He gained a clear advantage over Rob Faulkner when he went clean at The Lynch.
Mark Stokes on the big Trifield took a fine third courtesy of three more cleans than Martyn Stannistreet.
Things were pretty close in the Pre 75 Brit Twin-Shocks with the top three all finishing with single figure losses.
Steve Allen went through the first 19 hazards with his feet firmly on the pegs but Jonathan Souch was not far behind.
Souch however had a stop at Deer Lane and Gary Fleckney was playing catch up after an early three at Napper's. The Pre 86 Twin-shock was comfortably taken by Richard Allen, Bultaco mounted.
Richard lost over half of his total score at Nappers and The Moors but after that it was a succession of cleans until the final sub of the day at Len's.
He had two here and it was only cleaned by Ian Cobb on his way to fifth place. Matt Sleep took his TLR to second just ahead of Steve Martin on his Majesty.
Jason Gates had to get the Twin-shock easy route victory by virtue of one more clean ride than John Long with Kevin Stannard third.
The Trail bikes were last out and they can be hard work on the slippy stuff. Tony Coleman made it look not so difficult with a tremendous ride on his Pampera.
He lost less than half the marks of second placed Kim Beeney with beach race sidecar ace third on his KTM
