Somerton Classic returned to the Appledoor Quarry for their first trial of the year
By TMX Contributor on 20th Feb 19
For their first trial of 2019, Somerton Classic MCC returned to the Appledoor Quarry, near the Lime Kiln Inn at Knole, Langport, Somerset, for the four laps of ten sections. Clashing with the Telford show and two other South West trials, the entry was expected to be low, however several riders came down from the Wessex Centre, for a reasonable entry of 48.
This year the club are trying a new format for their series with three classic classes, ie. up to 300cc, over 300cc and rigid, which means the Cubs and Bantams compete in the same class as it was in the 1950s and 60s. The course comprised mainly of turns and cambers on the banks around the old quarry and clerk of the course Brian Ayres and his helpers got the severity just right with only two cleans on each of the A and B routes.
Hardest section on the A route was number ten, which featured a tight turn, then a climb over some concrete slabs.Both Jason Atwell and Andy Blacker lost a dab there on the first lap so couldnt be separated with a tie-decider.
On the third lap the gear lever of Roger Hands TRW hit a piece of concrete, it was knocked out of gear and he fell back down the bank but luckily no damage was done.Steve Hand lost his two there on lap three, but that was matched by Jon Griffin who was tackling the hard route on his rigid Francis Barnett. His total of five was the same as Tony Henbest, but Tonys marks all went on the first lap in the first section. He went too low on a cambered turn and couldnt recover.
Similarly Mike Fears day started badly when he went the wrong way at three, where his wife Christine was taking the scores.Two clean sheets on the B route were recorded by 78 year-old legend Mike Hann on a mono and Graham Jones on his TY175. However, close behind with one lost each were Sean Donaghy, riding Jack Coles B40 and 79 year-old Mike Palfrey on his Drayton C15. Mike had some new boots which obviously werent trained to stay on the footrests.
RESULTS
A Route
Over 300cc: Roger Hand (500 TRW) 8.
Under 300cc: Dave Fisher (185 Bantam) 0, Steve Hand (185 Bantam) 2, Jon Cull (260 BSA) 3.
Rigid: Jon Griffin (200 Francis Barnett) 5.
Twin-shock: Graham Wignall (212 Fantic) 0, Jason Atwell (240 Fantic) 1, Andy Blacker (175 Whitehawk) 1.
Mono: Kyle Watson 3.
B Route
Over 300cc: Sean Donaghy (350 BSA) 1, Dougie Williams (500 Triumph) 9.
Under 300cc: Mike Palfrey (250 BSA) 1, Neil Radford (199 Cub) 5, Paul Aven (175 BSA) 7, John Foot (185 Cotton) 7.
Rigid: Steve OConnor (350 Ariel) 15, Paul Balmain (250 Ariel) 46.
Twin-shock: Graham Jones (175 Yamaha) 0, Rob Miles (250 Ossa) 2, Graham Page (250 Yamaha) 2.
Mono Over 60: Mike Hann (125 Sherco) 0, John Pym (140 JPS) 7.
Mono: Simon Jones 26.
C Route
Under 300cc: Stuart Wigmore 250 Greeves 11.
Mono: Paul Melluish 26, Michael Curtis 250 Beta 31.
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