www.hrc1.org
www.hrc1.org
NEWS AND COMMENT
June 05
N E W S L E T T E R
Secretary : Fiona Husband 01306 712317
Email contributions : fiona@hrc1.org
Editor : Dick Husband 01403 257094
Trials : Mike Husband : 01403 257626
Team Secretary : Richard Shoesmith : 01798 869296
mike@hrc1.org
www.hrc1.org
JUNE 05 NUMBER 125
** NEXT MONTHS CAMPING TRIAL AT NORTHLANDS TEAM COSSACKS **
Dick Husband 01403 257095 Barry Fitz 01483 208070 Barry Joiner
0208 393 6199
Dave Alder 0208 397 9660 Mark Johnson 01273 813782 Andy
Martin 01323 442543 - SEE BELOW FOR DETAILS
Also Sunday 19th June - HR Club Trial at Don Barrett’s - run by Duncan
Archer and Dave Alder
NEWS AND COMMENT
DAVE’S PRACTICE DAYS AT DON BARRATT’S
Due to an unfortunate accident at the last event please note that in
future these days will be run by RRND and anyone wishing to take part
must be a member of that club and comply with their rules and hats must
be used by all riders. We thank Dave for his efforts in the past
and hope you are not put off by the new arrangement.
CAMPING WEEKEND AND CLUB TRIAL AT NORTHLANDS WOOD SAT/SUN 2/3 JULY
Last year was our first camping at this venue, we approached it with
caution. In spite of the cold bits it was good, this year we have
scheduled it later to get the sunshine and we hope to have the playing
field all ready for the HR Olympics. There will be all the usual
trimmings too; for new comers the programme is below and REMEMBER on
Saturday or if you’re camping it’s the top corner gate.
Friday 1st July
Anyone who wants to camp on the Friday night, phone Dick and
arrange.
Saturday 2nd July
While the Cossacks are marking a splendid course for the Yankee trial
it’s time to dig loos and organise the barbe - everyone can help.
The trial starts around 2 pm and will be run on the basis that you must
clean a section to gain a score which will be 1 for red, 2 for yellow,
3 for blue and 5 for white. You can ride any colour route on any
sections and highest score wins. CONFUSING? Come and try!
So all happy for the evening bonfire and barbeque and relaxing (?)
entertainment as the inner man gets soaked.
NOTES - NO WATER ON SITE - BRING YOUR OWN TOGETHER WITH THE BARBE NOSH
AND BEER. LOOS ARE PROVIDED.
Sunday 3rd July
Normal club trial will start in field if it’s bone dry, otherwise we’ll
use the usual entrance to start at 10.30 am. There will be a fair
bit of clearing up - all help is welcome. No trouble on a fine
day, but last years heros had it tipping down - it can’t happen again!
AN OFFICIAL COMPLAINT
Tears rolled down his cheeks as Paul Reynolds objected to the 49 ml
he’d been penalised on the blues in the trial last month - I would have
been 1st he said. Inspector Knocker was called in to investigate
the addition of imaginary holes - not so, he sniffed then unearthed the
faulty addition. Aha he cried so he did win. Shamed faces
were all about him but the high court judges said who knows if he
crossed his line on section 8 - we’ll never know but all were disc
arched without blemish and Paul was No. 1.
THE DREADED DEFRA
For a few weeks now the possible suspension of trial on farm land
looked possible. Protest signatures were organised (we got over
100 at the Group trial) and court cases were put into action with
fighting funds assembled (HR sent £250) - now it’s all clear at
least for the time being. But, sooner or later it will come again
in one form or another.
That is the reason I’m writing - without land there will be no trials,
we have to treasure when we’ve got and in the case of HR, ensure events
are run to be compatible with forestry. Many times we have had
overlong sections meandering about covering an acre or two
unnecessarily when only one or two minor hazards will take marks.
HR set out to be very much a club for the also rans, we don’t need
colossal scores on death defying leaps, just simple results for a days
fun. There are trials all over the country for those that aspire
to demonstrate extreme skills and we love them at our events too, but
they shouldn’t be tested at HR events.
I’m proposing to discuss this at committee to see how we can deal with
land preservation. Shorter more compact sections are a must
do. Possibly even very short, say covering 50 sq yds (sorry
metres!) with 2, 20 section laps. Siting of sections must change
to allow ground to recover and very wet ground limited use.
Bike progress (?) has contributed to land problems too - sections that
were real hard years ago are not bothered with today, too easy!
So we’re always seeking more difficult bits to ride with fewer sites
and what bit’s the sites have got get overused. So I’m asking our
marking out teams to bear the points made in mind and get to the
critical mark losing area more directly without wandering off to find
another site for a few riders. Over the last year, approximately
10% of them rode white or red, 48% yellow and 32% blue - that shows
where our priorities lie!
HR GROUP TRIAL
It’s always a bit of an effort running a Group event after easy to run
club trials, so we are grateful for al the help we got without which it
wouldn’t be on. Thanks to all those who helped : Course markers
etc, Duncan Archer, Richard Shoesmith, Sam Aldrich, Mick & Barry
Huskinson, and Observers, Ian Johnstone, Tony Martin, Dave & Dumps
Mears, Keith Tracey, Len Chapman, John Richmond, Karen Faulkner, Pete
Brooker, Anita Yardley, Kevin McDavitt & Kate & Sam.
The winners of the observers draw were 1 - Pete Brooker £35, 2 -
Keith Tracey - £30, 3 - Len Chapman £20, 4 - Dave &
Dumps £15.
We had made this a pre-entry trial and that aspect made it a lot
easier, particularly on the day, and we were able to start earlier at
10am. The second intended start didn’t go so well as due to a lot
of queues a few were still finishing their first lap - with 3 to
go. However it all got finished at a reasonable time. The
step in the stream wasn’t the only problem there as it was so slippery
getting out. In the end it was winner James Fry who was the only
one to clean this section - a feat he managed twice.
RESULTS (HR)
Expert - 1. James Fry 28 2. Adam Farley 31, 3 Jamie Jones 53, 4
Clint 58
Novice - 1. Barry Huskinson 86, 4 Ryan Geere 101, 9 Paul Reynolds
123 11. Sam Spear 149
Over 40 - 1. Dave Fry 54, 2 Mick Huskinson 55
Clubmen - 1. Cliff Moir 34 3. Dave Dale 343 4. Martin
Penrice 43, 7. Mark Johnson 79
Over 50 - Frank Puttock 9 2. John Yardley 17, 4 Bob Collins
37
There are a few full results sheets left over if anyone wants one.
CLUB NIGHT
PLEASE NOTE (IF IN TIME) COMMITTEE THIS CLUB NIGHT
Only gossip last month - by 5th May Garry was back racing, he can’t
wait for bones to heal. Kevin B tried a pre run of a Land Rover
trial and found the trees needed to be moved apart when a mirror was
missed. The rest of the evening was spent working out the
intricacies of differentials - is it the beer talking or does this
distinguished gathering know about these things? Come and join us
to find out.
THE WILDS OF WALLISWOOD
HR Trial 5th June
The entry was slow arriving but Iain Phillips from Bucks was waiting
before 9 am with his Bultaco and it wasn’t long before another Taco and
a 70’s Mont came from Beds, when Gordon Brown arrived we had 3 Tacos
and it looked like a twinshock event. Many local members who have
been to this extreme of the universe on several occasions were much
later. Notably Benge who phoned the night before saying he’s
bought a map and where was Walliswood, I explained but his navigational
discrepancies made him an hour late. One guy took two hours to
get there from Southwater, he reported he’d been touring Mannings
Heath! In the end we had an entry of 54 including the early
arrival of Tea Bag who within 3 mins of arrival got his van stuck
having to be towed out - nothing changes!
It didn’t rain although a bit slippery at first it looked like it would
dry out but there were many wet ditch crossings where water carried up
making them more difficult. The Monties team led by Bob Budgen
made excellent use of the site interlocking sections one side to the
other, Garry B missed out on the day as he’d won a competition - the
other Gary had his first go at setting out and enjoyed it. John
Pocklington didn’t ride preferring his lovely Yellow sports car but he
and Martin all got stuck in so no help was needed clearing up.
Clint came down on the Saturday to check on Bob’s white route but rode
elsewhere. Thanks to them all anyway.
Whites - A big step for Jesse B when after riding 3 blue sections he
was talked into trying whites for the first time and didn’t he do well,
17 in front of Sam A which is more than 3 blues could make up
for. We all knew Phil Martin would lead on the day and he did
cleaning all but two sections - a 3 on section 7 and a 2 on section
10 - both had awkward stream crossings but Phil leapt over most
with about 10 ft spare. Pete Bowker wasn’t too far behind, he’s
been away having his ear sown on (or something like that) and was going
to ride blue to get his hand in - no need obviously. Tim was
having a good day but near doubled Duncan’s score who was suffering a
bootfull of slime from section 10.
Yellow had 30 riders but 11 (36%) dnf. Jack Northover’s
thermostat stopped the fan and him - Rob Hyden having taken over
Michael’s bike (he was on a Raga replica!) found it needed a little
less throttle than the old Honda. Bob B twisted his knee on the
first section and didn’t do many more. The most significant thing
in this lot was looking at the bikes afterwards you could tell who
didn’t ride the deep mud of No. 10. Tony M’s bike was spotless
but Katie’s dad encouraged (ordered?) her into the morass, and she got
out twice but ended up smothered ‘it’s even in my hair’ she
groaned. Another young’un Dave Mears’ lad Niall Ruse had his best
ride ever to finish first SBC, he’s improved no end in 12 months.
Winners on Yellows get little praise unless they’re unusual or up and
coming like Messrs. Dale, Stewart and Phillips but Dave Dale on 12 was
only 3 off John Y’s total - he’ll have to try harder. Michael H
on the Raga Rep? There will be no chance for the rest!
Blue From the scores the blue route seems most difficult for the
entry. Not satisfied with his previous leading spot, Paul
Reynolds does it again losing 48 - many more than leaders on W
& Y. With Dave B and Ian Mac in competition just below the
½ year results on the ladder could be interesting. Steve
Hook, his second outing on the prized Sherco, went back to blues and
did well but he busted his rear mudguard so it’s starting to
cost. Ian Mac made it a good day for the plastics industry by
doing his mudguard too - he blames it on the HR shirt we sold him 2
months back - Eric Scutt was to try it for size but after that
event? Phew! Benge passed me going off for this 2nd lap -
I’ve got 70 already (neither addition or maps are apparent in his list
of talents) but he can get a good score. Dominic J was the only
SB on the route and only recently left yellows, he’s with Benge at the
moment but got his eye on Jesse.
The Red route was virtually the trial route, but still took a lot of
marks. Tom Bray was leader but newcomer Scott Martin age 17, will
be the man to watch - he’s Phil’s sone and Tony’s grandson, a good
place to start.
A good few spectators were around but they didn’t keep walking, it was
hard work on foot too. One old guy was being pulled out bu Phil M
who afterwards said at HR trials it’s like ‘care in the
community’ Finally I hope all riders remember where Walliswood
is, due to the introduction of a 2nd camping weekend, we’re back at WW
in August and according to forecasts it’s going to be hot! The
setting out team is Indians - you’ll be able to search for your missing
mudguard Ian!
RESULT
White
Blue
Yellow
Phil
Martin E 5
Paul Reynolds
N 48 John
Yardley O50 9
Pete
Bowker E 24
Tom Whittaker N
54 Ray Broughton
O50 10
Duncan Archer
I 41 Dave
Blackman N 65
Dave Dale C 12
Tim
Husband I 78
Ian McCulloch
O40 77 michael
Hyden C 29
Jesse Brooker
SB 93 Steve
Hook O40 84
Gary Stewart C
35
Sam
Aldrich I 110
Mark Johnson N
88 Iain
Phillipps C 38
Graham Knight
N 91 Dave
Alder O50 52
Daniel Sewell N
92 Brian Barnes
O50 62
Benge
N 112
Niall Ruse SBC 72
Dom Jarrett
SBB 123 Conner
Osborn SBC 74
Eric Scutt
N 135
Tony Martin O50 76
Charley Page
SBC 78
DNF - James Oppen
Chris
Drew C 82
Red
T Horsborugh, Paul Pearson Spencer
Page C 86
Tom
Bray SB 27
Kate Husband SBC 87
Patrick
Waller W 47
Gordon Brown C 87
Scott
Martin W 82
Nick James C 97
Sam Osborn
SBC 112
dnf Martin
Whittaker
Nigel Osborn C 132
DNF Matt Gardner, Tom Gardner
Pete Humbe, Brad
Humber
Analysis
% Entry Entered
DNF % Fin
Rob Hyden Josh Bray Nigel Bray
White
11 6
0 100
Bob Budgen Jack Northover
Blue
25 14
3 80
Steve Mitchell Dave Mears
Yellow
57 30
11 64
Red
7 4
1 75
Total %
100 54
15 73
Cadwell Park
28/29/30/ 05/05
We arrived at Cadwell on Friday afternoon after spending the best part
of probably the hottest day of the year in the Toll House van, to find
the paddock staring to clear from the track day that had been on.
It makes a change to actually be able to get to a circuit without
having to rush around on a Friday night, so we were quite nicely
chilled out as we got everything set up.
Mick had come along to help out & give me some ‘true’ feedback
which is always good & this weekend was bound to be entertaining as
he was on some massive pain killers, for a bad back, which were being
taken with bottles of Newcastle Brown Ale!
We had all day Saturday for practise & had set our sights on
sorting out two corners, Barn & Charlie’s. I was loosing out here
last year & consequently loosing out big time down the following
straights.
With Mick watching the others & pointing out what they were doing,
we were able to come up with a sensible line & then after a couple
of gearing swaps we felt we were somewhere near to a race pace.
That evening we walked the track to have a closer look. It’s only then
you realise how much gradient change there is around the circuit!
Where Mick had been watching our sessions he was able to point out
where people were quicker than me & where I could push a bit
quicker, so lots of mental notes taken as we puffed our way round.
For the first race I was starting 12th on the grid on the 3rd row,
which is on the wrong side for the first corner.
Lights go out & we go only to find someone from the front row
bogged down & everyone swerving to miss him, which put me even
further to the left for the first corner.
As there was no choice I took a tight line through Coppice which did
allow some over taking opportunities round the outside going round
Charlie’s.
After a few laps we settled down & I found myself having a good
scrap with Ian Cooper & not far in front was Simon Lowes, two guys
I had battled with at Brands.
We both got up with Simon & then Ian got by while I was looking for
a way passed both of them.
Making use of the good line through Barn, I got some good speed down
the start/finish straight & remembered Mick saying the quick boys
were taking people round the outside of Coppice on the practise day.
So I got myself lined up, chucked it in round the pair of them &
then held them off for the last lap to finish 7th.
Quite pleased to have moved up the grid for the next race, I was
looking forward to having a race where I might be able to see the
leaders for a while!
The lights went out & I found myself in 3rd as we went round
Coppice, Then Scott Halliday made a really strong move on me, making me
sit up (& swear!) as I was about to tip into Charlie’s. This made
him a little bit too wide for the middle part of the corner &
allowed me to out drive him down the straight to re take him into park.
I thought I was just getting into a rhythm when he came back by me
going into Hall Bends, where I thought there wasn’t room, but it was
another good strong move which made me realise I must be a bit slow
there.
We had another guy racing with us who I knew of from a couple of years
back, Nick Chadwick. He rides an Aprilia 250 two stroke compared to all
of us on 400 four strokes. The two stroke 250’s & four stroke 400’s
used to be quite fairly matched, but as the engine tuners have learnt
how to squeeze a bit more from the four strokes, the two strokes have
died off a bit. Let’s just say Nick has lost none of his talent.
He came by me very smoothly coming into Mansfield & I was close
enough to watch him get both wheels about eight inches clear off the
ground as he went over the Mountain, awesome.
He went on to win the race & I came in 6th.
Monday was a bit cooler & there was a threat of some rain, but our
first race was still nice & dry.
One place further forwards, look at the lights & go. I couldn’t
believe I got another good start & got up to third spot. I held
this for a couple of laps behind Barry Chapman (our series leader)
& Alan Russell.
The two strokes are not easy to get off the line so Nick must have
dropped back a bit, but then he came through, took me & went
on to take another victory.
This left me with Alan just about in my sights & convinced someone
was right up behind me but turned out to six seconds behind. So I came
in 4th.
We were sharing an awning with Jeremy Hill, who had already won both of
Sundays Power bike races, & so went down to watch him get
another win, then watched the Rookie 400’s, to cheer on Nigel Smith
& see Tazzie get her first points of the season, when it
started to rain….
Decision time. Will it clear up by the time we race, about fifty
minutes away or will it still be wet enough for wet tyres? I had
an old set of wets with me so we got them fitted to a set of rims. A
new set of wets were also on a set of rims, just in case it got any
worse.
The trouble is, if you run wets in the dry, or even damp, you can
quickly destroy them. So by having a worn set to use should save your
good wets for a really wet race.
The worn wets were in & the race before us was out on circuit when
it rained again. Then it was announced that the Minitwins race on
circuit would be the last before lunch. Would the weather change again
or do we stay the choice we had made?
Steve Jordan was in the Minitwins race & both he & Sarah came
over to tell us he had won! Superb!
Then he wasted no time in telling me to put the new wets in as they
were working really well.
So Mick & I set to changing the wheels over.
Down on the grid the track was wet but the sky was clearing & on
the warm up lap you could see it was already drying out through Park
& Chris Curve although most of the rest of the track was still wet.
This time I had a front row start, good. Make it count. Revs up, watch
the lights try to get the power down without a wheel spin.
This time I got to the first corner in the lead but Alan Russell soon
came by. I was more than happy to let him feel the way round first as
long as I could keep with him, as he is one of the best in the wet.
He did go away a bit until I settled down, then I just about maintained
about a 1.5 second gap for a couple of laps, then he got a bit of a
move on & stretched it, or I made a mistake somewhere!
I thought if I could keep Alan in touch I must be pretty much on the
pace & shouldn’t get too much trouble, when Barry came by.
He then gave me a toe up to Alan, which was quite good, and then he
went by & into the lead.
I think we all sped up a bit, then as Barry tipped it in to go right
just before the mountain the front tyre slipped away & he went
down. Alan did well to miss him & I had to brake harder than I was
comfy with to miss Alan.
As we went into the Hairpin for the pen-ultimate time Alan took a look
over his right shoulder to see who was there & didn’t see me on his
left, cool.
We went past the last lap flag & I’m sure he didn’t realise I was
there. It took a lot of resistance not to overtake into Coppice, but I
knew if I did he would get me back either at Charlie’s or Park.
Desperately trying to get on the right line through Charlie’s &
feeling like I was close enough to reach out & touch Alan’s bike, I
then got a good drive out & passed him going into Park. I thought I
was a bit quicker through Chris Curve & the Gooseneck so made the
most of it & really tried hard there knowing he was quicker than me
through Hall Bends. Once I got there I defended for all I was
worth & then made sure I got Barn right so I could drive down the
finish straight. Couldn’t believe it but I took the chequered flag for
my first win at this level, what a feeling!
Next stop Croix in France, can’t wait!
Garry
HR EVENTS
JUNE
WED 8 CLUB NIGHT 8.30 PM &
COMMITTEE MEETING - SHELLY ARMS -
Broadbridge Heath
SUN 12 CRAWLEY GROUP TRIAL
SUN 19 HR CLUB TRIAL AT Don
Barratt’s
SUN 19 PRACTICE DAY AT HALNAKER
SUN 26 BOGNOR CLUB TRIAL - Elsted
JULY
SAT/SUN HR CAMPING WEEKEND - NORTHLANDS WOOD
2/3 FULL DETAILS NEXT MONTH
TEAM COSSACKS - Dick Husband
01403 257094, Barry Fitz
01483 208070, Barry Joiner 0208
393 6199, Dave Alder 0208
397 9660, Mark Johnson 01273
813782, Andy Martin 01323 442543
WED 6 CLUB NIGHT 8.30 PM - Shelley Arms - Broadbridge
Heath
SUN 10 BRIGHTON GROUP TRIAL
SUN 17 PRACTICE DAY AT HALNAKER
SUN 24 BOGNOR CLUB TRIAL
SUN 24 RRND CLUB TRIAL AT ROME WOODS
AUGUST
SAT 6 LAYOUT TRIAL AT WALLISWOOD -
TEAM INDIANS - Ian McCulloch 01403
263667, Brian Barnes 01403 730623, Eric Scutt 01403 731810
Paul Barnes 01403 730623, Ian
Johnstone 0208 393 0048
SUN 7 HR CLUB TRIAL AT WALLISWOOD -
10.30 AM START
WED 10 CLUB NIGHT 8.30 PM - Shelly
Arms, Broadbridge Heath
SUN 14 EASTBOURNE GROUP TRIAL
SUN 21 PRACTICE DAY AT HALNAKER
SUN 28 BOGNOR CLUB TRIAL
TRADE ADS
(£5 per year for members businesses only - helps you and the club)
MERLIN MOTORCYCLES Gas Gas, Beta & Scorpa UK dealers. Sherco
& Montesa supplied. Trial, Enduro & Trail bikes sourced, both
official & import. Spares, repairs, service & tuning too.
See extensive web site: www.motomerlin.co.uk MERLIN BOOKS sell
motorcycle books and videos, new and secondhand - free catalogue or
Secondhand motorcycle books always wanted 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
CLUB CLOTHING We have a stock of riding shirts in stock available in M,
L or XL at the highly competitive price of £20 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