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N E W S L E
T T E R
August 04
No: 115
NEWS AND COMMENT
(Note - got a couple of pics - will add later - watch this space!!)
COMMITTEE MEETING (ie club
Night) - Wednesday Sept 8th 8.30 pm
At Dog and Bacon.
WONDERFUL HR CLUBMEN!
Yes, all of you! At the camping
weekend we raised £481 for Riders for Health so the club sent a cheque
for £500 - a magnificent effort. We had a great thank you letter
from the charity together with 2 VIP passes to attend the Day of the Champions
at Donnington. As it was on a Thursday not many were able to go,
eventually Kev B and mike were to be our reps in the hospitality suite
and the pit lane. At the last minute Kev’s nipper got conjunctivitis
and unable to get him in the nursery the trip got cancelled - pity ‘cos
I was expecting a write up!
HALF A LADDER
As promised we are printing the
results you’ve had this year so far. The list order is not a position
at this stage as it includes all results without selection and bonus points
- you’ll have to wait till January for the final - don’t forget you need
to finish in 4 events to get on the final ladder. Incidentally we
now have over 150 riding members so expect some close finishes.
(Ladder link to follow)
THE TRIAL IN THE TROPICS Northlands 2nd August 04
Only playboy Benge was absent from
the large Duggie team to set up on Saturday. Mick Huskinson did whites,
Pete B & Tim Martin the blues. Jesse B and Dom J yellows, leaving
Dad J & Will Martin for reds, so the job done by lunchtime. It
was to be the hottest weekend of the year, the ground so dry even the buckets
of sweat from the 56 entry couldn’t keep the dust down. The W, Y
& R sections were a tad harder than usual causing a few to change routes
but as many went up as down.
The red route was led home by Wobbler
Colin Luck, leaving his dnf record behind him and family astounded, he
said he really enjoyed his day. Schoolboy Jack Thompson just led
another wobbler Ben Mercer by one and Will Martin by just 2. The
big gap came when schoolboy Ben Philpot topped 100, this was dwarfed by
Sam Husband on his new (?) Yam with his 167 in his first full event - bet
he wished he could score that in his cricketing endeavours. Barry
J (wob chief?) nearly finished managing 3 laps and lost a few kilos doing
it. Nial Spreadbury had a pile up needing sticking plasters applied
by Aunt Mears. 12 red riders was a record, there were one or two
ancient dnfs on Yellows who would have been a lot cooler if they’d increased
that number and might have finished!
Clubmen as usual got shown how easy
it all was by John Yardley who finished, not as cool as a cucumber on 2,
Anita had to carry his cards over as they were too heavy for him.
The rest of the group got a bit unusual with several visitors from Bognor
and North Hants doing well and our own Dave B down from his normal Blue
route with yellow fever (or was it his spleen?) Schoolboy Rob Lavender
though was 2nd HR rider, said he likes tight turns and dry soil.
He was 5 ahead of Ben Barford who tied with Kevin Mac, pleased to beat
Ken R by a dab. Schoolboy Dom J who’d set the flags halved the score
of Nick H who’d had a bad day, entirely knackered, he disappeared.
Then came Katie H determined to finish on her new route but had difficulty
finding sections to clean, yet doing far better than her Grandad and his
Devonshire mate Jeff Cox. Finally a disillusioned Tea Bag was met
in the woods between section 5 & 6 cursing the bike supplier, the course,
the weather and dying to retire with an excuse so he could socialise and
relax until we all went home. Tiger Club Ian left many modern behind
including Nick - he’ll need his pints on club night to get over it all!
That old gasser of Dan Laker’s,
now with Honda engine came out tops on blues, I bet Keith Tracey is pleased,
on section 4 Jeff C and I got well in his way so he had to go to restart,
the practice did him good. Bognor’s Adrian Brown next in line put
Alan Lavender in 3rd place on 12ml, he’d had a 5 on the first lap which
is doom for him. The ever improving Sam Aldrich on 22 was followed
in the HR line up by a newly bearded Gary B level with Tim H on 32.
Gary had a hard day lining up young Fabian Luck for every red section and
catching him once getting a nice fat finger in the process. Tim started
on whites but having dropped 17 in the first four sections went down to
blue. Jesse Brooker had a creditable ride, Dad Pete and Tim M who’d
set the route almost doubled his score - Pete is a notorious century maker,
needed 7 more on this occasion.
Whites had a small entry, marker
out Mick H had a celebrating evening to attend on Saturday and imbibed,
hot trials are unloved by thick heads. Kevin Nolan the only expert
showed the course to be spot on for some, he lost 1 mark while onlookers
cheered (he said), schoolboy Scott Farley on 28 found it a bit more tricky.
Dad Gordon was more tired though, he’s walked the 4 laps. Mark J
had a surprising low score 42, compared to Mike H on 110 - the cards show
Mark having 2 5’s and 3 3’s whereas Mike had 15 5’s and 4 3’s - normally
these two inters are close, but Mark declared he liked hard sections.
At the end of the afternoon the
heat didn’t die down and several of the now Zombie gathering sat and sat
and talked about everyone else. The Duggie team though kept at it
until the job was completely completed ie they sorted flags, packed bags
and rolled punches - thanks to them all for what everyone agreed was a
great trial. Next month we’re at Wallis wood (which reminds me I
haven’t phoned Bob yet to see it’s OK) as the Cossacks are setting out
(Old Farts team) expect an easier ride than the above - if it doesn’t rain!
RESULTS
White
Blue
Yellow
Kevin Nolan E 1
Keith Tracey O40 2 John Yardley O50 2
Scott Farley SB 28
Adrian Brown O40 8 Jes Sang C 2
Mark Jordan I 42
Alan Lavender O40 12 Ryan Henderson SB 10
Mike Husband I 110
Sam Aldrich N 22 Rob Lavender C 11
Paul Henderson O40 27 Jamie Brown SB 13
Red
M Eastman N 31 Ben Barford
C 16
Colin Luck W 15
Garry Budgen N 32 Kevin McDavitt C 16
Jack Thompson SB 21
Tim Husband N 32 Ken Rickets O50 17
Ben Mercer W 22
Jesse Brooker SB 51 Dave Blackman C 25
Will Martin SB 23
Mark Johnson N 66 Graham Knight C 33
Emma Thompson SB 27
James Oppen N 78 Dom Jarrett SB 36
J Mercer W 31
Pete Brooker N 93 Mick Dunstan C 42
Fabian Luck SB 39
Tim Martin N 99 C Gressell C
45
Ben Philpott SB 108
D Pidgeon DNF Ian
Johnson O50 49
Sam Husband SB 167
P Pidgeon DNF Nick
Herridge C 59
Barry Joiner
P Anthony C 64
Ryan Humber
Dom Philpott SB 67
Nial Spreadbury
Jack Northover SB 82
Katie Husband SB 166
Analysis Enter DNF '%
Dave Alder DNF
White 4
0 100
Jeff Cox DNF
Blue 15
2 13
Dick Husband DNF
Yellow 25
6 24
B Humber DNF
Red 12
3 25
R Murphy DNF
Dave Mears DNF
Total 56
11 20
Brands Indy 10-11/07/04 - Garry Budgen
Arriving Friday evening I was lucky
again as Deb had me a spot in a garage, apparently they had been fighting
since Thursday for them! The Bar on a Friday is always a good place to
be, full of expectation & excitement & this was no exception, you
just have to tell yourself not to drink too much! Saturday morning we went
out for free practise in the dry which allowed me to scrub some new tyres
in & calibrate my mind to race speeds.
A few incidents in the other races
meant we didn’t get out until just before lunch, or so we thought. Just
as we were on our way to the collecting area it started to rain so lunch
was called. We all waited to see if the shower would amount to anything
or just pass over. Well it didn’t pass so wets were put in & we lined
up for our first race, with me in my familiar spot on the second row.
I timed the start just right &
got away 4th into Paddock bend & kept it until Surtees where I went
in a bit too hot & buried myself into the corner allowing loads to
come up the inside, lots of swearing! As if this wasn’t bad enough I did
exactly the same thing on the next lap!!! If I was team manager I would
have had something to say & I did I can assure you! So after these
two mistakes I brought myself in 11th still miffed. Our second race
was dry, so this time, starting 11th ,I went for it & found myself
getting pushed back down the field, not good. When it all settled
down I could see Doug Lloyd just in front & just kept telling myself
“got to pass Doug, got to pass Doug” , as he is close to me in the championship.
I tried everything, he must have sensed someone was chasing because he
had a look over his shoulder just as we went onto the cooper straight on
the pen ultimate lap only to see me about as close as you get. This can
work in two ways, either they get flustered & make a mistake or they
get their head down & push that little bit more. He pushed. I tried
to make a pass on the last lap into Graham hill bend but couldn’t pull
it off, came in 15th. I can’t say I was very happy about the position,
but the quality of riders & riding at the moment is going up &
up. My best lap of the race was 53.6 which would have probably got me on
the podium at the start of the year. The outright 400cc lap record was
equalled & not by the guy who won!
So Saturday’s races out the way
time now to concentrate on the MRO race. I’m enjoy these races more &
more, I think the longer distance suits me as you can build on your race
as you find your rhythm. As before we get a short warm up, then after
about an hour we have to qualify & today we had 45 riders going for
36 grid spots, so a reasonable lap was crucial to avoid going home without
a race! Speaking to Deb just before we went out she said she always
tries to get a quick one in early in case someone crashes or spills something
on the track, makes sense. I usually try to go out & just gently build
up the speed until, by the end of the session; I’m going about as fast
as I can.
Out we go & try to find a clear
piece of track. I took Deb’s advice & got a couple of bankers in just
so I knew I would be on the grid, then decided to start to improve &
pushed a little bit.
Followers of my tales will recall
I have been having a few front end problems, which we are gradually getting
to the bottom of, however, having sorted one problem we now have created
another. When I’m hard braking the rear wheel wants to lift & makes
the bike pivot about its headstock, a few people have suggested just a
small amount of back brake can bring the bike back into line. Going
into Paddock about 4 laps in, on a quick lap, I waited for the 100 yard
marker, braked & the bike started to squirm a bit so I touched the
back brake & soon wished I hadn’t. I was now in a 100mph broad slide!
It probably looked quite impressive, like I was trying to “back it in”
but from where I was, it was far from impressive! Although the brake comes
off instinctively you have already set the slide in motion & as I also
wanted to get round a corner at the time, the bike was already half tipped
in & so sliding like a good un! Told myself not to panic &
kept just feathering the front brake to try & rescue it but soon realised
I was going in, so the best option was to look for the least painful landing
site! Gravel traps work, so I stood the bike up & braked as hard
as I could in a straight line until there wasn’t any more tarmac then let
it all off as I entered the “kitty litter”!
At this point I still thought I
could save it & ride through it, then, as my mind was working overtime,
I got a flash of all the people I have seen dumping it in the gravel, very
few make it!
I didn’t get a choice, the bike
slowed down very quick with bars flapping side to side & ended up doing
a Superman impression over the top & landed head first! It always
amazes me how the body & mind react, apart from the slow motion in
the time of panic you still think quite rationally, I knew I had to get
out of the way, in case someone else was following me in, but also knew
I was full up with adrenalin, anger & frustration & had to let
it out. Gloves off, crash helmet off (but not thrown down, too expensive!)
& stand & shout, unfortunately the word that came out over &
over began with an “F”, which wouldn’t have been a problem except for all
the people standing just the other side of the fence, oops. Deb’s
advice was well worth it, by getting in a couple of half decent laps got
me on 23rd spot. When you do have an off the club really shows its
true colours, offers of help come from all angles & we soon had the
bike back fighting fit & ready to race. Starting 23rd I
knew I had lots to do to make the top 15 & so gain another point &
when the lights changed I know I got away OK but must have been concentrating
hard on the job in hand as I can’t remember the first couple of laps! I
used to get this on a trails bike when I was really trying & it’s good
to know I can still get there, but not much good for the write up!
Anyway I new I got up the field & had some really good battles for
positions, no one gives up there space without a fight at this level &
came in 12th, not bad. I also got my fastest lap time of 52.89 sec which
I’m well happy with.
This has now put me 6th in the Nationwide
Championship & 18th in the MRO
Next stop Croix in France for our annual “holiday”, can’t wait
BITZA GOSSIP
TMX ain’t always in tune, for the
Sunday camping results they listed Sam Aldrich and Benge as schoolboy A
riders, they’ll be pleased. ** I hear from one of our reporters that
Benge has a new title as ‘The Playboy of HR’ our man says at the camp he
arrived in a new motor, went off partying in the evening in his designer
clobber, is off to France for 2 weeks and then to Canada to ride a lookalike
Harley across the States. ** Mr. D Head found a CBR too smooth for
old banger men and is looking for more bangs from a triple. We borrowed
his machete to clear at a trial and would have put it in the trials kit
but Derek had sentimental value attached to that tool. He acquired
it from another schoolkid for 100 marbles - wonder what mum thought?
** Tea bag tells us the BBQ at Don Barratt’s was a great success with 20
- 30 bodies knocking about including Barry Fitz ready for marking at Walliswood.
Dave promises a write up but so did India and NVT! ** After all that
hard work at the Mannings Heath practice day Clint went for an enduro at
Tilgate forest the next day and came 6th in the expert class - went to
work Monday for a rest. ** Another traveller this winter Richard
S off to New Zealand for 5 weeks of what? - biking on those smooth roads
I expect. ** Eternal salesman mike brought a Scorpa round for a demo,
the old man couldn’t start it, Tim did and fell off it bending the levers
- that’ll cost!
GROUP TRIAL - BRIGHTON CLUB AT LEWES - July
11th
Course setters John Y and Kevin
Mac must have expected rain as for once in a while an easy group trial
took place. On white route schoolboy winner Greg Marshall only dropped
4 marks followed by James Fry and Rob Sherlock on 5, last in the experts
was on 9! Novice scores went from 7 - 76 but HR riders appear in
the Over 40 group - Mick Huskinson levelling with Dave Fry, both clean
and Mark Jordan and Mike H in 7th and 8th spot losing 9 marks. Over
50’s Bob Collins was 4th losing only 13 but Clubman on the easiest route
was won by Glen Baker clean with John Illingworth and Mark Johnson in the
next two places both on 9. James Verbeeten had a harder time on 36
but some were pleased to have had an easy day for a change - particularly
those who had to add up the scores!
ADVERTS
FOR SALE Sherco 200 2002 160 cc - 2002 Model £1700 ovno - Kevin Thompson 01689 834483
FOR SALE - Beta 250 Rev3 2003 & Scorpa 250 2003 both road reg & p/x considered. Mike H Motomerlin 01403 257626
HR EVENTS
Ø AUGUST
SUN 8 EASTBOURNE GROUP TRIAL
SUN 15 PRACTICE DAY – Halnaker
SAT 21 PRACTICE DAY AT DON BARRATT’S
SUN 22 BOGNOR CLUB TRIAL – Harting
Ø SEPTEMBER
SAT 4 LAYOUT HR CLUB TRIAL AT WALLISWOOD
– TEAM
COSSACKS – Dick Husband 01403
257094, Dave Alder
0208 3979660, Barry Fitzmaurice
01483 208070, Mark
Johnson 01273 813782, Barry
Joiner 0208 393 6199 Andy Martin
01323 442543
SUN 5 HR CLUB TRIAL – Walliswood
– Start 10.30 am
WED 8 HR CLUB NIGHT& COMMITTEE
- Dog & Bacon - 8.30 pm
SUN 12 SOUTHERN TRIALS GROUP TRIAL
SAT 18 HR TRAINING TRIAL – Northlands
SUN 19 PRACTICE DAY – Halnaker
SUN 26 BOGNOR CLUB TRIAL -
Miscombe Woods
Ø OCTOBER
SAT 2 LAYOUT HR CLUB TRIAL AT ROME
WOODS – TEAM
JIMMIES – Duncan Archer 01306
501714, Kevin
Brooker 07771 937682, Tim
Garman 01403 251421,
Ken Rickets 01737 240816
SUN 3 HR CLUB TRIAL – Rome Woods
– Start 10.30 am
WED 6 HR CLUB NIGHT
SUN 10 EASTBOURNE GROUP TRIAL
SAT 16 PRACTICE DAY AT DON BARRATT’S
SUN 17 PRACTICE DAY – Halnaker
SUN 24 BOGNOR CLUB TRIAL – Headown
TRADE ADS(£5 per year for members
businesses only - helps you and the club)
HEADLINE ENGINEERING For aluminium
and stainless welding - helicoil thread repairs - cylinder head, brake
discs/drums refining - all machining work - one off and prototypes.
Phone Derek head 01306 712565
CLUB CLOTHING We have a stock of riding shirts in stock available in M, L or XL at the highly competitive price of £25 each. Quality is good, many members have found they wash and last well. Why spend more on one covered in adverts when you can wear a shirt with the HR logo? Phone Dick or Fiona for sales pressure. CLUB STICKERS 4 for £1 for car or bike
TRADE ADS (£5 per year for members businesses only - helps you and the club)
MERLIN MOTORCYCLES sells Gas Gas,
Sherco, Scorpa, Montesa & Beta Trials and Gas Gas Enduro bikes.
Offers spares, service &
tunning too. Also imports Honda XR’s and Yamaha XT660R and WR 450
F. www.motomerlin.co.uk
- coming soon :
MERLIN BOOKS sell motorcycle books
and videos, new and secondhand
- free catalogue or www.merlinbooks.com
Mike Husband 01403 257626
HEADLINE ENGINEERING For aluminium
and stainless welding - helicoil thread repairs - cylinder
head, brake discs/drums refining
- all machining work - one off and prototypes.
Phone Derek head 01306 712565