www.hrc1.org
www.hrc1.org
N E W S L E
T T E R
JULY 04
No: 114
NEWS AND COMMENT
HR IMPROVERS PRACTICE AT MANNINGS HEATH
19th June
This was our best turn out for a
practice session with 27 riders and 10 of those were schoolboys.
Thanks go to Kev Thompson and offspring for helping lay out 7 sections
which were close together to give maximum practice. They were ridden
for 2 hours in each direction, riders could select routes and try the more
difficult as they progressed. It was good to see several doing this,
no doubt encouraged by our expert instruction team (Professors Clinton,
Gary and Michael). Clint was there from the outset and worked himself
really hard running round with the lads to show them the right lines -
then he tried to do it with an old man who was hopeless. Anyway some
Dads really welcomed the tuition and asked me to give special thanks to
these experts who came along to help.
Some rare appearances; Colin Harwood
had let his nippers clean his bike for the occasion - they’d sprayed the
brakes with WD40 so Colin had to dismantle them. This delayed him
somewhat but as he was aching after 7 sections he was pleased with an excuse.
Then brother Tony not seen for years but grinning away on the same old
steed. The Dunstans, who only seem to practice, did that again and
Nick H pushed his lad round in a 4 wheel buggy. Kev B turned up with
a BMX bike, Kev T and Clint showed him things he should be able to do on
it. Mark Johnson determined to get partner Louise riding got her
out on the Honda again but she tried to ride it through 2 trees a foot
apart debarking the trunks as she sailed clear never to be seen on
it again!
Out on the course the schoolboys
were shining, particularly Jack Northover and the two Dominics (sounds
like a pop group). Dominic P only managed ½ the event as he’d had
to collect his bike from Gordon Farley’s that morning - Dad looked weary!
Late in the session the tuition staff gave some demos, Clint rolling rocks
around and Gary getting Kev B to try to stop halfway down a steep bit -
Kev did, over the bars at the bottom. Mike was showing Dave B a line
for the blues but I did notice he hadn’t cleaned it and he and Gary turned
down the opportunity to ride Clint’s rocky outcrop. Here though Dan
Webber had umpteen goes at the blues smiling away every time he didn’t
do it but chuckling with glee when he did.
Final hooter went but a few couldn’t stop - Keith Edwards demanding more instruction on log jumping and Colin H having to walk back for his steed left in the Hands of ANother. Dave B took the bags to clear up, it was very nice of the schoolboys to offer to help, both Dominics and Ben Jarrett went out and helped sort the kit. You’re in the good books - you can remind me next time it’s a ticking off!
RESULTS? - We hope will show at the Camping Weekend.
CAMPERS VERDICT
- OVER TOO QUICK!
The forecast made it look as though
it wouldn’t even start but like all predictions this one was thwarted by
the HR faithful.
Friday Evening - Furthest travelled,
first arrival, at 5 pm Jeff Cox had driven from Devon and was attempting
tent erection, by 5.30 the site is alive with canvas and caravans, workers
about. Pete and Benge get holes dug (for essential am excursions)
and fire of Mike’s old motor bike crates blazes. Two years
ago Benge spent a lonely night in Rome, now now, 15 or so gathered and
gossiped. Tim H arrives 9.45 had been awaiting a visit to the cosy
atmosphere of a pub, had to settle for the primitive lot and a tin by the
fire - hard done by? Well it didn’t rain!
Saturday - Colin Harwood’s team setting
up except two of them with Yankie connections (who are at July 4th celebrations).
Rob and Mike Hyden do for yellow markings but leaving before event as a
night shift demands. Richard S and Dave B step in to help, the course
to be easy for the gate trial in the afternoon. Signing on arm twisting
began and raffle tickets went quickly, it was the HR charity weekend where
all money after AMCA goes to Riders for Health so nice to see 35 riding
- our highest Saturday total yet. Mark Johnson was in a hurry as
he had to attend cocktails at 6 pm (we settled for a pint at 8) he didn’t
ride Sunday but won more cocktails in the raffle draw! A bottle of
Sherry and wine await collecting. As Mike is riding a Pampera trail
bike for this Yankee trial he lends his Beta to Fiona to have a first ride
in 16 years and it pleased Katie who was even more pleased to beat her
mum. Tea Bag tangled with his new ornate awning (under which he placed
his one chair) sleeping was to be in the van equipped with monster bed
making Fiona say it looked like an ambulance. Dave however had a
nickname for Nick H when he arrived in new helmet - “Herr Flick”, horn
rim specks would have completed the outfit. Old member Dave Mears
and Dumps and great nephew emerge from the past - Dave managed a few laps
but with the hernia about to emerge too has a dnf. Last year Phil Walker’s
bike needed bits from Brands Hatch, this year he again travelled around
Kent and Sussex for bits only to find no response from the patient.
Mate, Tony Flegg had a good weekend finishing high up in both trials but
Phil was riding round on a push bike - that’s Mick Dunstan’s scene which
I’m pleased to see is returning to engine propellant.
By 2 pm most were ready to dash
off in case it rained (it did when I started at 3!) These gate trials
are enjoyed by most, even preferred by some, as they’re more fun giving
you a choice of 4 routes to better your scores which are added and not
deducted. BUT you have to clean your chosen route to score any points
at all. In a Group riding together it becomes most competitive -
when you’re a little behind you can gamble on a harder route than your
opponent and you’ll either laugh like a drain or be down in one according
to result - it’s a lot of fun. But you have to play the game which
Kevin Thompson the leader did using several white routes when it was dry
and a mixture of blue and yellow elsewhere. Mike on the trail bike
went down to red on section 10 to get one mark whilst ahead were Tony F
and Mark J and Keith Edwards yet it was the one mark that kept Mike in
front of Colin H. Later in the afternoon the easy course and sections
became very slippery in the showers and my Gas Gas had to be dismantled
in a mud bath that was dnf with a few others but scores still count.
After 6 pm no more showers and a
clear evening - someone got the barbecue up and running, Colin’s lad, who
had been wanting to light the fire all day, got happy and it was beer time.
Then surprise as we have a new Pancake Queen - Fiona arrives with mixture
and accessories and cooks away for everyone. Pete B brings out his
super stove to hasten the matter and Tim splashed the cream and sugar -
wonderful! Colin sits with an ice pack on his ankle. Trying
to teach daughter Emma to ride the bike, she blips and hits his leg where
it had just sustained undue punishment down a section hole - he didn’t
come back for Sunday. Now extracts from eavesdropping : Benge’s dad
did grass tracks on a Brough and the TT and raced against Stirling Moss
(I asked if the story would be in Newsletter - Tim Martin on designing
executive gardens - Dave B’s shoulder a year on, seen docs, surgeons, osteos
etc but still waiting a scan - a tiddly sounding Jesse admits getting knackered
pushing up section 10 but his rebuilt bike is going good - the other rebuild
Tim H Gasser arrived during the afternoon and that’s going good too but
it provided many tales of woe and cussing. The reporter left at midnight
after searching for dog but possible the best was yet to come. Still
not raining.
Sunday - The course got changed by
Richard, Mike and Jesse as it had been wet it wasn’t made harder, when
it was ridden whites became blues as the ground really dried out.
Kevin T sped round his 4 laps in under 2 hours and dropped 2 hoping it
would get wet for the others, but not a drop fell until the trial finished.
Early on the aroma of bacon and egg drifted from the new canopy with Herr
Flick watching, Phil Walker’s head needed aspirin treatment which was obtained
from the TB ambulance but Doc Alder’s attention remained with the frying
pan. Back to the trial! 48 riders, several experts, one from
Isle of Wight, and look at their scores - no rain, no pain! When
it came to the Inters Tony F well in front of Mike and Tim delighted the
rebuild was still going.
Alan Lavender managed with a loss
of 1 keeping in front of Kev’s efforts but surprise from Keith Tracey who
is getting to grips with that Chinese Honda - Jesse’s rebuild really paid
off too virtually halving Benge’s score. Poor Tim Martin though packed
it in when his kickstart broke. On Yellows it was old man’s delight
they love low scores as do all in the class - everyone came back happy,
feeling elated that their riding is so good, then they see the others and
there’s lots of ties. What the hell, it’s a smashing day! Sorry
about the reds, only Will Martin was left.
As it was Derek Cranfield’s 72nd
birthday we asked him to do the raffle draw - when he drew Tony M’s ticket
‘chuck it back in’ he said, it was however the Chessington mafia who grabbed
most ie Barry J, Dave A, tiger Cub Ian and Chris. There were 8 prizes.
1. Barry Joiner 2 bottles
2. Tony Martin - 2 bottles
3. Jeff Cox - 2 bottles
4. Dave Alder - 2 bottles
5. Mark Johnson - 2 bottles
6. Ian Johnston - 1 bottle
7. Mike Husband - chocs
8. Chris Snellock - chocs
Finally a big thank you to all who
helped to make the weekend enjoyable - the list is long and you all know
who does the work and it’s really appreciated. Can’t wait till next
one!
P.S - We haven’t done the money
yet - will let you know who much raised for Riders for Health in next news.
RESULTS
Saturday Yankee Trial
Kev Thompson 110
Tony Flegg 94
Keith Edwards
90
Cards not handed in
Mark Johnson 90
Mike Husband 83
Rob Reid
Colin Harwood
82
Nick Herridge
Gary Medhurst
78
P & R Humber
Dom Jarrett 73
Elim Lillywhite
Mick Dunstan 64
Adrian Bee
Richard Shoesmith
64
Chris Snellock
Jesse Brooker
57
N Watts
Dave Alder 56
Dave Mears
Dom Philpott 49
Bran Heinman
Jack Thompson
46
Pete Brooker 40
Katie Husband
40
Fiona Husband
29
Jeff Cox 22
N Spreadbury 20
Ben Philpott 15
Fabian Luck 14
Dick Husband 8
Darren Luck 6
Sheena Luck 1
SUNDAY
White
Blue
Yellow
Kevin Nolan E 0
Alan Lavender O40 1 John Richmond O50 0
Garry Martin E 1
Kevin Thompson O40 2 Tony Martin O50 0
Jack Ayres E 1
Keith Tracey O40 12 Jim Scott O50 1
Clint Leggett E 2
Sam Aldrich N 16 Derek Cranfield
O50 2
Chris Lewis E 2
Jesse Brooker SBB 25 Neville Lewis O50 2
Phil Martin E 6
Laura Forrest B 26 Robert Lavender SBC 3
Trev Widdowson E 7
Elim Lillywhite SBB 30 Ian Johnston O50 3
N Watts I 19
Benge B 38
Richard Laker SBC 3
James Graham SBA 23
Bob Reid C 4
Tony Flegg I 30
dnf Tim Martin Richard
Shoesmith C 4
Mike Husband I 47
Pete Brooker C 5
Tim Husband I 61
Nick Herridge C 6
Michael Hyden SBC 7
Paul Holder C 7
Dominic Jarrett SBC 8
Red
Mark Worsfold C 9
Will
Martin SB 8
Andrew Laker SBC 9
dnf
Barry Joiner
Rob Hyden SBC 13
Ryan
Humber
Dave Alder O50 14
Jeff Cox C 17
Analysis Enter
DNF '%
Katie Husband SGC 37
White 12 0 0
Andy Martin C 42
Blue 9 1 11
Peter Humber C 57
Yellow 24 0 0
Brad Humber SBC 84
Red 3 2 67
Total 48 3 6
GROUP TRIAL - Crawley at Birchanger Wood - June 13th
This is a popular venue for a group trial and gets well supported. On the expert route scores were just right ranging from Adam Farley on 6 ml to Steve Forrest on 66. Peter Penton the only inter had a nasty pile up over a log on section 1 with the bars going through his groin and chipping a bit of the pelvis - in dock for a few days he says he was discharged for chasing nurses (wishful thinking!) Blue route looked harder, Neil Varney on 28 ml, 5th was Steve Mills 39 ml, and Sam Aldrich 91 with last man on 134. Mike H managed 40 ml in the Over 40 in 6th place but Alan Lavender although going well didn’t finish. Clubman leader was on 12 ml with John Illingworth finishing 3rd on 48. Over 50’s had the first two level on 15 - in 6th Ken Rickets dropped 61. Beaver Lavender dnf with his dad - one of them had a reason! Next event is Brighton Group - ask Mike for venue - at Lewes. Results on front page........
RRND v HR
In an entry of nearly 50, around
a dozen HR members participated in the RRND v HR event, with all classes
represented. Duncan A finished 3rd in the small experts field, whilst
Alan Lavender led the Blues home with a loss of just 3. Reds (our
yellows) had the most HR riders with Ken Rickets and John Pocklington tying
for 2nd, again with 3 marks lost. Robert Lavender was at the sharp
end of 6 ml and the ever improving Dominic Jarret in close proximity.
The Tea Total? Synchronised
swimmer enjoyed a drama free day and celebrated with at least one clean
lap (zero marks lost and/or not rolling in the wet bits). Overall
an excellent trial, perhaps HR could invite RRND and run a similar event,
any thoughts? Speak to a committee member or that ‘Steptoe’ type
character who lives in the caravan.
Nick H
Dicks footnote - I did ask Reigate’s
Pete Jenkins again who won but he said as he hadn’t kept a note of who
was from where he had no idea “Better we both say we came first” he said!
GARRY’S RACING NEWS
28/05/04 - I got to Brands about
8.00 Friday evening & got a call on the mobile to tell me there was
a spot saved for me in one of the pit lane garages, good job as the lower
paddocks were at bursting point already! This is probably our busiest weekend
of the year, with three day’s of competition to look forward to, “BEMSEE
Nationwide Championship” Saturday & Sunday & “The MRO” race Monday.
There was also a track day on Friday for people who have too much money!
After a quick hello to everyone
around I got set up, which is getting quicker & so allows more “bar
time” non - alcoholic of course….
29/05/04 - The Grand Prix circuit
is superb & so is always over subscribed for entries, this in turn
means full grids & so 34 starters in each race, busy first corners!
Starting the first race from championship positions put me in 6th spot
on the second row, with all the MRO guy’s, having a practice, anywhere
from midfield back. I got into the first corner in 5th & kept that
until we went into Surtees, the left hander leading onto the GP circuit.
As I tipped in I noticed someone on my outside trying to come round &
so politely drifted towards him to let him know it was my corner only to
have him tell me in no uncertain fashion that it was, in fact, his corner!
Blimey, it was like getting a good telling off & slap to go with it!
Because of this I lost a bit of drive for the main straight, someone took
advantage & came by almost taking my front wheel away as they came
back across for the line into Hawthorn’s. Bit more first lap frantic action
saw me slip another couple of places which set the pattern for the race,
I just kept going backwards! Came in 12th, p*s**d off! After the race &
a bit of pondering I decided to change the gearing for one tooth
bigger on the rear sprocket to give me a bit better drive out of the corners,
this however would hit the rev limiter down the main straight. So I adjusted
that to cut in at 15,500 rpm thinking I would watch the rev counter
& only use the 200rpm I needed… Of course when you are racing
all logic & mechanical sympathy goes out the window, the throttle gets
twisted & the rev limiter gets hit!
Still it helped, came in 10th.
30/05/04 - Got up without a hangover,
so must have behaved Saturday night which wouldn’t have mattered anyway
as we didn’t get out for our first race until after lunch. Starting 10th
in amongst some now familiar bikes I got away with everyone on the first
three row’s & settled in to a good battle with 2 others. As I was concentrating
on this Andy Sprake, who has already won two of the MRO rounds this year,
came by me on the start/finish straight on the outside of me when I thought
I was on the outside, talk about using all of the track, he must have been
on the grass! Not bad from starting at the back, he came in 7th (&
broke the lap record) with Phil Polden getting 8th, me 9th 0.5 seconds
behind with Anthony Thomas 0.5 seconds behind me. Phil Polden is the rider
I had a Start line incident with last year & missed most of the season
mending all his broken bits, so its great to be out there racing with him
again this year especially this close. Second race Sunday gave me another
good tussle. This time with Anthony again & Doug Lloyd, who is close
to me in the championship. I saw Doug’s wheel early on at Surtees
but gave him the same lesson I got on Saturday & slammed the door
shut. When someone does show you their wheel, you have to make a split
second decision as to weather they are close enough to claim the corner
or weather you are far enough in front to be able to get to the apex first,
sometimes you don’t see them until the last second & vice versa, that’s
when its scary…
So after having my wake up call
that someone would like to get in front, I got my head down & concentrated
on a line through Sheene curve which didn’t make much sense when someone
told me, but did on the bike. By staying about a metre away from the apex
allowed you to carry much more corner speed & so more speed down the
short straight into Stirlings, lots to learn! Next attack came from Anthony
into Druids, so not to be out done I let him go into the corner
went slightly late on the entry to give me a slingshot down the hill &
take him straight back into Graham Hill Bend, nice. He must have thought
about it for the whole of the next lap & I didn’t. He made a late braking
pass at the same spot when I should have been defending , no problem, I’ll
have him back but he then drifted me out so wide I had no chance of the
same move. I followed him thinking I would get him into Paddock on the
last lap, but wasn’t quite brave enough & so thought I would repay
the compliment at Druids. I lined myself up for the move but was a little
too far back for a sensible challenge, but whose sensible? I went for it.
Then I had one of those brown trouser moments as I realised he hadn’t seen
my attack & thought I was about to send us both crashing onto the tarmac.
My front wheel must have missed his back wheel by millimetres! I managed
to regain some composure & thought I would have another go at Graham
hill bend but wasn’t close enough, although I did have a look, only to
see him loose the back slightly coming out which meant if I hadn’t tried
that move I would have been able to take advantage & probably had him
at Surtees. It wasn’t to be & I followed him home just 0.8 seconds
behind in 7th to find that Doug had been there ready to pounce just 0.3
seconds behind me!
31/05/04 - So, two days of club
racing under the belt, now it was time to concentrate on the MRO race.
To put the class of these races into perspective, try this. The British
Superbikes you see on the BBC you can take as “Premier League”. The MRO
Powerbike race is the stepping stone to that, so 1st Division. As there
isn’t any Supersport 400 class at the Superbike series then the MRO Supersport
400 races are our “Premier League” with the riders coming from all over
the British Isle’s to compete. With this in mind I have been dying to get
a championship point, just missing out at Croft by coming in 16th.
We have to qualify for our grid spot & to do this the track is open
for 15 minutes & we’re timed on each lap.
So out we go & try to find a
clear track. The first few laps ride more like a race with everybody trying
to get in front of each other for that “clean lap”. After I felt I got
in a “banker” I came in to make a quick rebound adjustment on the front,
then headed out straight away. I tried this once more but ended up going
back to Sunday’s setting’s, still nothing ventured…. I qualified
18th on the grid out of 34 riders, If I’m honest I thought I had done a
bit better than that which is a bit worrying. If I qualified there &
thought I still had a bit left It wouldn’t have been too bad, but I thought
I had put in a quick one or two!
I lined up right in the thick of
it on the 5th row, watched the lights & went for it. With front wheel
just hovering & just as I changed into second I could see a situation
developing two row’s up, one of the bikes must have missed a gear &
the guy in front ( Phil Polden!) was trying desperately to miss him &
me in turn to miss him! A quick swerve did the trick &
put me into Paddock up the field a little bit. After about two thirds of
the first lap the red flags came out meaning someone had got off somewhere.
It turned out to be Deb Cartwright, who I was sharing a garage with, &
Cath Macdonald who had come together going into Surtees, oops. After a
short stop we lined up again & I got away OK deciding to have a go
round the outside of Paddock which worked quite well. About three
laps in & I lined some one up for a slipstream down the main
straight & popped out for the braking into Hawthorn’s, he braked late
but I was already committed to the pass & went for it, only to realise
that he probably hadn’t seen me! Well he did in the end & I just saw
him sit up out of the corner of my eye, phew !
Sometimes in a race you have no
idea what position your running in & this was one of those races. We
had settled down & I knew from the speed we were going that I
was probably up where I wanted to be & was having a good battle with
Phil Polden (again!)& Steve Kenny. Steve & I swapped places a few
times until the last lap when I was behind him & thought I was positioned
just right to take him at Druids only to find yellow flags waving so no
overtaking. I had another couple of looks on that lap but couldn’t do it
& crossed the line 0.6 seconds behind with Phil 0.5 seconds behind
me. Got back to the “parc femme” to find I had finished 11th. Well happy.
For me to finish up amongst these guy’s at this level gave me as much satisfaction
as my “Rookie” wins, then I found out the lap record was broken again which
show’s the class of rider’s up the front.
I think over the weekend we covered
over 85 racing miles, not including practise & qualifying, no wonder
my brain felt a bit frazzled!
Next Stop Pembrey in Wales, can’t
wait Garry
ADVERTS
FOR SALE Sherco 200 2002 160 cc -
New tyres, chain, sprockets, wheel bearings. £1975 ono
- Kevin Thompson 01689 834483
FOR SALE Acerbis boots red/black
Sixe 7/7 ½ £25
O Neall Shirt Adult - new
£10 - Jack Northover 01403 710776
For Sale Scrubbed Tyres 120/70-17 Front 160/60-17 Rear Super Snotty race rubber for the road! Dunlop RR GP's (only available through race dealer's but road legal) Worn on the edges but loads left for the road. £50 a pair Tel. Garry 01403 738748 07736 609824
FOR SALE - 2002 Montesa Road registered, unused full lighting kit. Good tyres, heavy duty clutch, very good condition £2150 ono Keith Edwards 07717 477477
FOR SALE - Fantic 245 1990
- air cooled, good condition for age. £525 ono Mick Dunstan
01403 711962
FOR SALE - Beta 250 Rev3 2003 & Scorpa 250 2003 both road reg & p/x considered. Mike H Motomerlin 01403 257626
HR EVENTS
Ø JULY
SUN 11 BRIGHTON GROUP TRIAL
SAT 17 PRACTICE DAY AT DON BARRATT’S
- 10 am - Dave hopes
Lots will come, there’s going
to be a BBQ after practice, bring
Some grub etc to join in
the fun
SUN 18 PRACTICE DAY – HALNAKER
SUN 25 BOGNOR CLUB TRIAL – Milland
Ø AUGUST
SAT 31 JUL LAY OUT CLUB TRIAL AT
NORTHLANDS – TEAM
TEAM DUGGIES – Mick Huskinson
01903 530281,
Pete Brooker 01273 832912,
Benge 01825 840085
Tim Martin 07774 188188,
Adam Bird 01323 831771
SUN 1 HR CLUB TRIAL – Northlands
– Start 10.30 am
WED 4 HR CLUB NIGHT - Dog &
Bacon - Horsham 8.30 pm
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 - 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
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 : Trials Bike Hire
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