www.hrc1.org
www.hrc1.org
May 04 news
no: 112
NEWS AND COMMENT
GROUP TRIAL - Sunday 9th May - Rome Woods
Hopefully some of you will get this issue before the weekend and will rouse yourselves to support the club on this day. To date we only have a few observers and several more are needed on the day. Even if you’ve never done observing and you’re a new member you’ll soon learn the routine - please help. Be on site by 9.30 am and bring your lunch.
WE ONLY ASK THIS ONCE A YEAR - PLEASE SUPPORT HR. DUNCAN IS PLANNING A WORKING PARTY ON THE SATURDAY BEFORE - IF YOU CAN HELP PHONE HIM ON 01306 501714
TEAMS
Richard has added some names to
teams trying to get more members involved once a year with setting out
courses. The following additions have been made; have a chat with
the team leader sometime.
TEAM LEADER ADDITIONS
Ajay Mike Husband Paul Holder
01273 506679
Beesa Derek Head Alan
& Robert Lavender 01306 631882
Cossack Dick Husband Andy Martin
01323 442543
Duggies Mick Huskinson Adam Bird
01323 831771, Jesse Brooker(as Pete!)
Enfield Richard Shoesmith Phil Jobbins
(Jnr)
Fantics Colin Harwood Michael Hyden
(as Rob!)
Greevies Kevin Thompson Paul Hill
07976 886428
Harleys Clint Leggett Keith
Edwards 07717 477477
Jimmies Ken Rickets Sam Spear
01306 621316
Kwackers Tim Husband Keith Tracy
01342 713337 John Mitchell 07775 794623
Laverdos John Yardley Steve
Mills 02083 970124 Steve Whyte 01403 891107
Monties Bob Budgen Martin
Tooley 01403 734775
Team Leaders please note names and phone numbers. We are still in the process of increasing team sizes and maybe more teams - when it’s complete a full list will be issued.
IT’S JUNE - IT’S WALLISWOOD
Bob Budgen phoned to say he has
talked to the landowners and we’re OK for the club trial next month.
Those who have not been there before the location is on your HR info sheet.
The only route marking will be an HR arrow as you leave Walliswood going
toward Forest Green. Please keep to the edge of the field when parking
and do not ride in the field.
AND ANOTHER PRACTICE/TRAINING
DAY Saturday 19th June
This time at Mannings Heath with
6 blue, yellow and red sections laid out in the morning (volunteers wanted!),
signing on around 11.30 am, starts 12 until about 2.30 pm practice and
then a 2 lap scoring trial. Same format as usual, if any of our star
riders feel like giving a few hints and tips you’re more than welcome.
Entry fee £5 adult, £3 schoolboys.
BIKES STOLEN
Arriving at the Plough Inn last
club night, we had some bad news, Mark Webber had 3 bikes stolen from his
garage the day after the last trial. All the bikes were wired together
with secure (?) stuff from Turn One but it didn’t stop the thieves.
Mark and Dan’s bikes were both Betas.
Although only a few turned out for
club night Mark still provided us with nice nosh and gave us a few hints
on special shots on the bar billiard table. Look in the events column
for the June club night venue, you can’t beat the Plough but it’s a bit
far for some.
PROMISES, PROMISES
Contributions to the Newsletter
are gratefully received and we thank Gary Budgen for his interesting racing
experiences - keep ‘em coming. But not all potential writers are
so forthcoming. A gentle reminder to the sources of My Years at Norton
Villiers and an Enfield in India might get some ink flowing.
AT LEAST IT DIDN’T SNOW!
CAMP REPORT 1ST/2ND/3RD MAY
The wise old team gave us an excellent
course for practice and the camping weekend. Wet Northlands had potential
for big scores but John Yardley, Kevin McDavitt, Bob Collins and Steve
Mills sensibly marked a route ideal for a challenging practice session,
when it dried out for Sunday it became easier so everyone enjoyed the day
- so much so that Richard Laker practicing after the trial did 11 laps
(110 sections) and finished knackered and had to phone Mum for paracetemol.
HR honours degrees though go to
Benge, Pete and Jesse who camped Friday night so they could help prepare
camp on Saturday - digging loos, getting firewood etc. We had a few
calls following the rain to see if it was on, some decided not to risk
it but I was pleased to have the presence of a charming gentleman who gave
me a cigar (Mr. D. Alder). We got closer to the fire when the temperature
plunged to zero overnight, campers had that Captain Oates feeling.
Only Jesse kept warm, he had wanted to recap old times with pancakes all
round. He came prepared with gallons of mix to cook (and expertly
toss). Lemon coated delight as usual, doubtless a number went into
Jesse which kept his blood flowing. There were many happy schoolboys
having enjoyed the practice session on sections 4 to 8 trying harder routes
here and there, as Benge commented “What more could a boy want, camp, a
fire, in the woods and a motorbike!”
Where we pitched our tents in a
5 acre attractive field the ground was wet but you could see the possibilities
if it was a dry summers evening; could be next year we’ll have a cricket
or rounders match there. One other comment was that practice sections
were better if we didn’t have a 2 lap scoring trial at the end - just sections
to try any route - so that’s what we’ll do.
SUNDAY TRIAL
John and Kevin forecast there would
be a lot clean today as the sun came out - out of 52 riders none were but
on yellows Ken Rickets and John tied on 1 ml. Red riders only got
9 sections to miss the final hill. Dominic Phillpot was in front of Jack
Northover who had ridden some yellows - note you can put harder route scores
on an easier route entry but not vice versa.
New riders were out too, nice to
see Louise Printer trying her 125 TL Honda and Bernard Oxborrow on badly
prepared 200 Gasser which involved much attention from others. Mick
Dunstan had prepared himself at Don Barratt’s and going well he cursed
me for watching him and being the cause of a 5. Although no clean
there were several ties in the entry which haven’t been sorted in order
(most cleans) so you can all consider yourselves the leader.
White riders had a tie between Pete
P and Adam Bell - Pete reckoned his score had been added wrongly but wasn’t
bothered he said as he asked Fiona a second time to check it! Blue
route too had a tie, Alan L and Simon Rye. But not far behind came
Phil Jobbins saying “ol’ Lavvy might be on 3 but I’m in the tens and catching
him” He dropped 9 level with Tim Paddock. We had used a new
bit of the woods which caused confusion as many lost their way - note where
we ride through some parts ribbons are tied to trees to show route as we
don’t want staples in the trees.
As usual the big entry was on Yellows
with lots of level pegging, Biff was higher up the list but Richard Laker
had done easier blues making his score worse. All this class enjoyed
the day even Katie H having her first ride in the class was pleased to
finish on under 100. Amongst the DNF’s was Tiger Cub Ian - I had
seen him riding clean over section 5 log so it was going well, what happened?
There were no dramas in the red route but young Ben Phillpot did well to
finish on 90 - more than Louise managed.
The second barbe in the evening
was improved by a serious injury as Benge displayed his wrist which on
microscopic examination showed a thorn embedded - “look at it swelling”
- he said asking if some exotic extraction existed in the HR first aid
kit. Reluctantly he eventually accepted there was no alternative
to my mother’s 1880 recipe of bread crumbs in boiling water as a poultice.
He sat in terror as we mixed a slice up in a cup, objecting to the filth
on my mitts and handing over a rubber glove! The mixture plonked
on, Dr Brooker strapped it to his wrist before the patient collapsed.
When he mentioned various spots on his arm the Dr recommended an enema
with a brake fluid syringe which Benge declined.
Patrol leader Brooker took control
of the fire giving instructions as how firewood should be placed 45 deg
from North. Barbeque monitor Tim got it ready for Dan Laker’s fresh
enormous steaks (cow only died last week) but a further problem developed
as Sam reported no toilet paper in the loo - who’s been using it all we
asked. It was decided we’d need a paper issuing monitor leading to
many jokes the best of which was that a motion should be passed at the
AGM to cement these matters.
RESULTS - SUNDAY
White
Blue
Yellow
Adam Bell E 13
Alan Lavender O40 3 John Yardley O50 1
Pete Penton E 13
Simon Rye N 3 Ken Rickets
O50 1
Sean Parsons E 18
Chris Neville N 5 Sam Aldrich C 4
Mike Husband I 36
Phil Jobbins O40 9 John Illingworth C 4
Adam Bird I 44
Tim Paddock O40 9 Robert Lavender SB 4
Mark Johnson N 27 John Richmond O50 4
Dave Blackman N 30 Kevin McDavitt O50 6
Benge N 31
Biff Harrison O50 6
Dan Webber SB 33 Richard Shoesmith C 8
Red
Kevin Brooker N 34 Richard Laker SB 8
Dominic Phillpot SB 4
Jesse Brooker SB 53 Graham Knight C 9
Jack Northover SB 6
Nick Herridge C 13
Miles Packham SB 10
John Pocklington C 16
Ben Phillpot SB 80
Dom Jarrett SB 17
Peter Main C 18
dnf Louise Printer, Andy Martin
Dave Alder O50 18
David Martin
Thomas Bell SB 20
Paul Holder C 25
Elim Lillywhite SB 26
Mick Dunstan C 43
Analysis Enter DNF % Fin Route % of
entry Tim Garman C 51
White 5 0 100 10
Alan Daughtney C 54
Blue 11 0 100 21
Richard Sharp C 77
Yellow 29 5 83 56
Katie Husband SB 97
Red 7 3 57 13
dnf Dick Husband, Ian Johnstone
Total 52 8 85
P Humber, Ryan Humber, Bradley Humber
MONDAY
Well it didn’t start so bad, at
least the forecast should have kept most away but 29 determined riders
ever hopeful came to try the sections in the opposite direction - Mike
and a few lads had changed begins and ends the night before. Keith
Tracey arrived with the modified Laker Gas Gas to include the Honda 4 stroke
engine, he’d made a nice job of it but the wet mud was not the best
introduction to trialling. And the lucky Lucks turned up, one of
them was going to try and finish.
They were sent off early and those
that got away quick got a couple of dry laps in before it all came down
even harder and the course almost too difficult to get out from the valleys.
The scores gave a depressing picture of the situation and most gave up.
Alan Lavender told me he’d had a 5 on a section that Benge cleaned so I
bet B was pleased and encouraged him ever on - could he finish?
Sam H was pleased to finish his
first ever trial - not the best day to start but was the only person I
heard (apart from Pete P) saying he enjoyed it.
(Sam on seeing his score?)
As I’m sitting in the caravan writing this and don’t want to go out I’ll let the results, what there are of them, speak for themselves. In spite of this miserable ending it really was an enjoyable weekend.
RESULTS - MONDAY
White
Blue
Yellow
Pete Penton E 53
Alan Lavender O40 27 Richard
Laker SB 26
Adam Bird E 93
Phil Jobbins N 85
Dominic Jarrett SB 111
Mike Husband I 97
Kevin Thompson N 99
Benge O40 108
dnf Pete Brooker, Miles Packham
dnf Mick Huskinson
Robert Lavender, Dan Morgan
dnf Jesse Brooker, Elim
Lillywhite, Keith Tracey,
Richard Darlison, Clive Kinton,
Dan Webber, Tony Flegg, Phil Walker
Red
Emma Thompson SB 12
Dominic Phillpot SB 52
Sam Husband SB 128
dnf Colin Luck, Favian Luck,
Jack Northover, Albie Kinton,
Bernard Oxborrow
Analysis Enter DNF % Fin Route % of
entry
White 4 1 75 13
Blue 12 8 33 39
Yellow 6 4 33 19
Red 9 6 33 29
Total 31 19 39
Thanks to Steve Hook &
Kev Brooker for the pix.
In the Worthing Twin Shock Trial Gary Budgen left the racer at home and had a good result on his Fantic (can’t remember exactly!) and Clint rode the Belgian Twin Shock over Easter coming in 4th on 61 ml. He said the hills were unusually big and steep so they had to have catchers at the top, the event was won on a BSA (Clint says it was a Yamaha/BSA!) As usual Mike pops off to a French 3 day Trial, John R had to work so missed his entry, but Mike was 16th in his class and stayed an extra day to enjoy the final nights booze up. And the first weekend in May sees the well supported Pre 65 Scottish where entries closed at 180 but there were 350 would be riders. Charlie Harris was one of the lucky ones and we wish him a good result in the event.
HR V RRND
Don Barratt’s Saturday 15th May
A reminder of this one detailed
in last news. Practice with Dave A in the morning, at 12 a 5 lap,
8 section trial where we will be challenging the Reigate boys, worth a
Saturday afternoon out.
A TRIALS HOLIDAY IN CORNWALL?
Just got back from a trials holiday
in Cornwall and thought I must tell everybody in the club what a great
place it is to practice riding while on holiday. I saw it advertised in
TMX the website is
www.hf-trialsholidays.co.uk. The
accommodation is a six berth mobile home sited in the farmers garden backing
onto fields. Down in the farmyard itself is a concrete shed (work shop)
for locking bikes up over night (take your own security locks) but the
farm is very secure. There is also a hose pipe for cleaning bikes. The
woods is only 2 minutes ride from the farmyard and can be used from dawn
to dusk, you don't see a soul all day (private land). The woods consists
of streams, small banks, hill climbs, rock gullies, rock steps, logs etc
etc. Anybody from Red Route upwards could benefit. It is very keenly priced,
either visit the website for more information or call Gill Sabotig on 01288
321267 or speak to me at trials if you want to know more about the venue.
Kevin Thompson.
GARY’S RACING REPORTS
Cadwell Park - 17th - 18th April 2004
We got to Cadwell after about 6 hours
on Friday afternoon around 3.30.
Got the caravan & awning set
up then went to see who was about. The noise from the circuit told me that
practise was still taking place & the first person I saw wasn’t
going out again as her wrists were playing up, so a quick grovel &
a lot of rushing about, got me onto the track for the last session.
The track has changed slightly from
last year with the introduction of a new chicane just after Mansfield bend
& also a big oak tree has been removed along with the bank it sits
on just on the inside of Hall bends. This was always quite un-nerving as
you thought your shoulder was just about brushing the bank as you went
through & of course if you did drop it there, you went straight in!
After a couple of laps to remember
where to turn left & right & getting on something like a pace I
realised why Becky was struggling with her recently broken wrists!
The track goes up & down like no other & each corner leads into
the next, sometimes bating you in to going too fast for one corner which
then messes you up for the next. First race Saturday & I was
starting in 8th spot, which was on the outside of the 2nd row. I
needed to be on the other side of the track to get the right line
into the first bend so maximum force needed. Lights went out &
I got away OK only to have someone put his front wheel against my boot
going into the 1st corner. I remember thinking “go away” (or words to that
effect) & kept it pinned until it shook him off. After 3 laps
the same rider who wanted my piece of tarmac fell off going around the
very fast “Chris Curve” & so we were red flagged & had to start
again for a shortened race. Got away again ok & charged into the first
corner with everyone else. I think we have about thirty starters at Cadwell,
which is more than enough bearing in mind its about half the width of somewhere
like Brands in some parts.
The first real overtaking place
after the first corner shuffle is “Park Corner” after “Park Straight”,
which isn’t straight at all! I had a go at someone while someone
had a go at me & we all came out the other side in the same positions
as we went in! That was about the story of the race lots happening but
no gains, finished 8th. The best part of the circuit for me
is the first set of bends. After coming down the start/finish straight
you go into “coppice” which is a fantastic banked right hander that can
be taken stupidly fast as it climbs uphill, this kills some of your speed,
you just have to tell yourself it will! Coppice then quickly turns into
“Charlie’s” which is a double apex left hand bend & so known as “Charlie’s
1” & “Charlie’s 2”.
“Charlie’s 1” is banked, which allows
you to go in far too quickly, then you drift out to the outside of the
track before entering “Charlie’s 2”& get on the throttle as soon
as you can see your way down “Park Straight”. Going through Charlie’s
2 I was getting a bit of a front end judder, so for the second race
we adjusted the rebound on the front. This seemed to reduce the problem
but I went slower! We put this down to upsetting some of the other corners
on the track, everything’s a compromise! Came in 11th apparently with about
five bikes queuing up behind wanting to get by. One actually crashed trying!
Got lots of stick in the bar later about being a “wide load”!
Then it rained from Saturday night
until we got home Sunday night!
That will be another wet race then!
Tyres changed, suspension back to where we were, waterproof on & convince
myself again that wet tyres work! Starting on the 3rd row in 11th
place, right in the middle of everything.
Focus mind & away. I got through
pretty good & found myself up to 5th in the first bend. The spray from
the guy’s in front reminded you just how wet it was but at least the closer
you get to the one in front, the better you can see him! I got good drive
out of Charlie’s 2 & lined up for an overtake into park
corner. Got past Ok & tipped into the corner, then just as I hit the
apex the front wheel took on its own mind & slid, big time. I think
you just react as best you know how, nothing conscious & I just thank
all the hours spent riding Trials bikes in the mud because I came out of
it, didn’t dwell on it & got back on the gas for the next corner. Think
I must have frightened everyone behind me, because apparently I had quite
a lead over 5th place! The front three got away & I thought I
was on my own until on the last lap I got overtaken into Mansfield Bend
to finish 5th.
Can’t complain I suppose as this
is my best result to date in this class.
As we lined up for the next race
the rain was still coming down but as we were held on the grid another
little problem faced us. The bikes radiator fins were all still full of
water from earlier & now, heating up again, where steaming quite well.
No problem, except sitting on the grid all the steam was misting the inside
of the visor!
So as the lights come on & you
put the visor down, your faced with peering through a fog, hoping it will
clear when you start moving, while holding your breath trying not to make
it any worse!
Then the lights go out & your
faced with all the spray, glad I wasn’t at the back!
Got a good start & got into
5th but lost out a couple of laps later to go down to 6th.
Racing in these conditions
is good fun but I tend to take on a different mindset, I’m far more aware
of throttle & brake movements, which again must come from the
trials bike, keeping as smooth as possible & out of trouble. It seems
to pay off as I came in 6th. Mind you, its no Sunday morning ride, anyone
fancy aquaplaning at about 110mph?
Next stop Snetterton, can’t wait!
Garry
ADVERTS
FOR SALE Sherco 250 cc 2002. Excellent condition. Little used. £2200 Tel 01483 560507
WANTED - Any small riding gear suitable
for a 6 year old - Phone Bob Collins 01342 713808
HR EVENTS
Ø MAY
SUN 9 HR GROUP TRIAL – ROME WOODS
OBSERVERS NEEDED – Please
phone Dick or Fiona
If you can help.
SAT 15 RRND Saturday Trial
at Don Barratt’s –Starts at
12 midday, probably 5 laps
of 8 sections – RRND
wondered if HR are up for
a bit of Inter Club challenge!
SUN 16 PRACTICE DAY – Halnaker
SUN 23 BOGNOR CLUB TRIAL – Stoke
Pit
Ø JUNE
SAT 5 LAY OUT HR CLUB TRIAL – Walliswood
Team MONTIES – Bob Budgen,
Gary Budgen 01403
738748, John Pocklington
01798 813227 Martin Tooley 01403
734775
SUN 6 HR CLUB TRIAL – Walliswood
– 10.30 am start
WED 9 HR CLUB NIGHT - Venue TBA
SUN 13 CRAWLEY GROUP TRIAL
SAT 19 HR TRAINING TRIAL – Mannings
Heath
SUN 20 PRACTICE DAY – Halnaker
SUN 20 RRND CLUB TRIAL – Rome Woods
SUN 27 BOGNOR CLUB TRIAL – Elsted
Ø JULY
FRI 2 HR CAMPING WEEKEND ROME WOODS
– Come for
a beer Friday night – camp if you
wish (but let Dick know)
SAT 3 SET OUT CAMPING TRIAL AM –
Team FANTICS
Colin Harwood 01273 583411, Rob
& Michael Hyden 01403 258352, Leigh Jones 01306 621524
Trial Saturday pm – followed by
BBQ, Beer, Fire etc
SUN 4 HR CLUB TRIAL – Start 10.30
am
WED 7 HR CLUB NIGHT
SUN 11 BRIGHTON GROUP TRIAL
SAT 17 PRACTICE DAY AT DON BARRATT’S
SUN 18 PRACTICE DAY – HALNAKER
SUN 25 BOGNOR CLUB TRIAL – Milland
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