The Vic Brittain Trophy
By John Dickinson on 14th Feb 23
Vic Brittain Trophy 2023 Experts winner Richard Sadler.
The 10-round ACU S3 Parts National Championship kicked off on Sunday, February 12 with the South Shropshire club's long-standing Vic Brittain trial, starting in the hamlet of Tugford, not a million miles from the Classic Dirt Bike Show that was taking place at Telford that same weekend.
The single lap course included 36 separate sections set along the rural route with the fun taking place in the deep, wooded rocky gullies that made for a super trial. The entry was limited to 100 which required a ballot as potential riders outnumbered the places available.
All three Championship classes, Expert, Clubman and Clubman Over 40, featured a similar number of contenders, the numbers being 31, 34 and 35 respectively.
First blood in the prestigious Experts went to Yorkshire ace Richard Sadler, dropping just two marks on the Vertigo. Veteran Midlander Sam Haslam finished a close runner-up with Welsh challenger Hugo Jervis enjoying one of his best National results completing the podium. Sam Yeomans made it just four riders keeping their scores in single figures.
In fifth and sixth places were Scottish travellers Jamie Galloway and Duncan MacColl who took some separating having contrived to lose 10 marks apiece as they kept reigning S3 Parts champ Dan Thorpe down in an unaccustomed seventh place.
In the Clubman class, it was Lancashire's Sam Atherton who took the series lead with a clear-cut win claiming the only single-figure finish, parting with just seven marks.
It couldn't have been tighter for the places though as Guy Chandler, Dan Tuley and Josh Brown contriving to drop 11 apiece. although they were easily sorted on the most cleans tie break.
Alicia Robinson enjoyed a great ride to finish a close fifth on just 12 marks while Katy Sunter and Jess Bown in eighth and ninth plus Louise Alford also in the points in 12th was a great showing for the girls.
The Over 40s saw Hillsborough, Yorkshire, series regular Darren Wasley make a perfect season opener with a clear victory and maximum Champs points. The consistent Martin Hawyes also made a great start to his campaign and Midland stalwart Tony Cowley completed the podium as he shaded Steve Swanson on a tiebreak.
Results
Experts
1 Richard Sadler (Vertigo) 2
2 Sam Haslam (GASGAS) 4
3 Hugo Jervis (Beta) 7
4 SamYeomans (Vertigo) 10
5 Jamie Galloway (TRRS) 10
6 Duncan MacColl (Beta) 10
7 Dan Thorpe (GASGAS) 13
8 Kurt Brain (Beta) 19
9 Olly Kendra (TRRS) 21
10 Chris Alford (Scorpa) 24
11 Luke Walker (Sherco) 30
12 Cal Williamson (Honda) 31
13 Tom Housecroft (Vertigo) 37
14 Will McBain (Vertigo) 40
15 Jack Savage (Vertigo) 42
Clubman
1 Sam Atherton (GASGAS) 7
2 Guy Chandler (Beta) 31
3 Dan Tuley (GASGAS) 11
4 Josh Brown (Beta) 11
5 Alicia Robinson (Beta) 12
6 James Grist (Sherco) 13
7 Dan Hole (Beta) 19
8 Katy Sunter (GASGAS) 20
9 Jess Bown (Scorpa) 21
10 Damien Owen (TRRS) 23
11 Mike Spence (GASGAS) 29
12 Louise Alford (GASGAS) 35
3 Martin Carter (Vertigo) 35
14 Marty Hill (TRRS) 36
15 Ray Millhouse (Vertigo) 43
Clubman Over 40
1 Darren Wasley (GASGAS) 6
2 Martin Hawyes (GASGAS) 10
3 John Cowley (Vertigo) 11
4 Steve Swanson (Beta) 11
5 Chris Koch (Sherco) 13
6 Kev Nolan (Vertigo) 14
7 Ben Smith (Beta) 16
8 Steve Williams(Vertigo) 18
9 Mick Thompson (Beta) 22
10 James Gammons (Vertigo) 25
11 Rob Bowyer (Triumph) 29
12 Paul Haddingham (Beta) 32
13 Jon Lee (Beta) 32
14 Stu Robinson (Beta) 35
15 Stefan Walters (Beta) 37
More like this…
Colin Dommett 1940 - 2023
The trials world was deeply saddened on learning of the death of Colin Dommett. The West Country off-road motorcycle icon passed away on Thursday, February 8, at Manchester Royal Infirmary following surgery during a short but typically stoic battle with cancer.
Raga Rocks DL12 Indoor
Adam Raga claimed a sensational, white-knuckle win as the first ever DL12 Indoor Trial threatened to blow the roof off Sheffield’s Utilita Arena back at the start of the year.
Formidable and fresh MC duo sign up for DL12 Indoor Trial
A brand-new MC dream team has been assembled to host the inaugural DL12 Indoor Trial.