Sunday 21st February at Knightons Farm, Dunsfold

The Weston Trophy Trial is one of the Club’s longest established events and eagerly awaited by many regular trials riders in the South East Centre. Unfortunately a clash of dates lost us a good many regulars on this occasion.

This year’s event came towards the end (we hope) of one of the harshest winters of recent years, and after a period of heavy rain. The Knightons banks were as slippery as we have seen them, and Clerk of the Course Terry Tidbury had laid out a trial with that in mind. Several sections were less severe than usual, but the conditions made them very challenging nonetheless. Some officials found walking around quite difficult enough, and I for one took a rotten tree-trunk out as I careered down a bank!

Section 4 featured a twisty gully and a slippery descent across a camber. Intermediates and experts had some work to do crossing the gully, turning on the bank and back down, while experts had to do this twice and then climb out of the gully yet again. Needless to say there were several marks lost. Some four-strokes had a good day in the mud, with the Tiger Cubs making some of the best noises as usual.

Regrettably there were only 6 observers for 10 sections, and while Terry and Barry took 2 of the vacant spots, there were still 2 sections which had to be observed by riders themselves. Didn’t they do well...!

Despite a grey and sometimes wet day, the trial was enjoyed by riders and organisers alike – and it was even possible for most vehicles to leave the premises without too much pushing. However, Jo And Gordon seemed to come off worst in the mud encrustation stakes after a particularly wheelspinning van driver had finished with them!

It was particularly good to see John and Pat Martin back behind the (new) cooker. But many thanks to everyone who laid out the event or helped out on the day.

Results..

Expert: Stephen Strudwick (GEST) 51.
Intermediate: Andy Bush (Tenterden) 40.
Novice: Robert Rout (OWLS) 59.
Over 40 Mike Husband (RRND) 45.
Over 50: Derek Baker (Kent & Sussex) 53.
Pre 67 David Strank (GEST) 48.
Twinshock: Steve Jones (Eastbourne) 73.
Ladies: Laura Forrest (RRND) 134.
Girls Jenny Stephen (Bexleyheath) 139.