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NEWS AND COMMENT

<>  SEPTEMBER 05 NUMBER 128


** NEXT MONTHS TRIAL AT NORTHLANDS TEAM LAVERDOS **
John Yardley 01273 555391, Kevin McDavitt 01273 601645, Bob Collins 01342 713808
PLEASE NOTE WE HAVE SWITCHED THE VENUES FOR OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER TRIALS - OCTOBER IS NOW NORTHLANDS AND NOVEMBER IS ROME


CHANGE OF VENUE
Due to alteration in the HR calendar to accommodate the second camping weekend, two weeks events have been swapped around as follows :
October Trial was Rome now Northlands - Team Laverdos
November Trial was Northlands now Rome - Team Jimmies
Although Fiona has informed the AMCA of the changes it is likely that in TMX it won’t get changed - this Newsletter is correct!

PRACTICE EVENT
Saturday September 17th - at Northlands, last month we asked for a couple of volunteers to mark sections on the morning of the event - still haven’t got anyone, can you help?

CLUB NEWS ADVERTS are free of charge to our members, all you need to do is tell Dick or Fiona what’s for sale or wanted.  An important aspect of this is the secondhand clobber especially boots for schoolboys, we are often asked if we know of anyone who’s got too big for their boots.  Last months adverts got shrunk with a squashed up Newsletter, you needed a magnifying glass to spot them so we are repeating those ads this time hoping to get the advertisers a result.

SKITTLES ANYONE?
Bit early to mention winters social activities but they have to be booked up early.  Last year we had an excellent evening at Ewhurst with 65 in attendance including all the family.  It’s being mentioned now because we want to know who will support the event if it’s run again - a ‘Yes Please’ sheet will be at Octobers’ trial in time for …..

NEXT COMMITTEE MEET (& Club Night) October 5th at Shelly Arms, Broadbridge Heath, where, apart from skittles we’ll do team lists, 2006 programme and membership details.


CAMPING TALES
A weekend in the sun plus an enjoyable 2 trials were provided by the Duggies team in spite of all their pre-event problems.  With 2 members non starters and transport difficulties, Pete B, Jesse, Dominic J, Adam Bird and Tim Martin worked hard, got some good results too - a big thanks to them especially Tim who, having broken his kickstart on day 1 returned on day 2 to help clear up.  Nick H also offered his help but by the time he arrived the Duggies enthusiasm had them up to section 10!

Only one, Jeff Cox (Devonian) camped Friday night, we left him there at 5.30 digging 2 holes and erecting the tents which, after his journey may have had an urgency not normally associated with this tiresome job - a pub visit for the evening helped him kip till overhead tourists disturbed.  Come Saturday the Harwoods arrived in force to erect a village but in the nature of things only one Mansion House.  

A pre-event council meeting elected to make the first day a Yankee which pleased me as it’s easier to do the results!  Arrivals in dribs and drabs gave an entry of 24, a few away at the Bluebeards and Tony Flegg tells us Phil Walker has hurt his back whilst surfing in USA, but updating to a new model to avoid the normal camp breakdowns.
Out in the rough some whizzed round to finish early notably Mick Dunstan, being a Yankee score totals were immediate, with a short list early riders were forecast to have a good position, so Mick was 4th.  Others had taken so long the full finish list had to be revised and Mick slips to 11th.  Adam Bird won the event, he’d ridden all whites whereas Jesse in 2nd had mixed in a few blues to finish not far back.  

Steve Hook was mainly blues but Mark J had ventured onto whites.  Ray Barnes had strapped a video recorder to his bike which took pictures of the tree tops when he really looped the loop on section 4 - later I asked to see the video, it did not appear to function at all, so he’s not telling the wife what he did.  Emma Thompson riding well, did only Yellow, as did Nick H, the latters’ feet being much older felt the pull of gravity more.  Jeff Cox did 4 laps and says his poor result was caused by the  choke staying on for a lap (tell us another one!)  Dick H was really last with a 1 lap total of 8!

With the barbecue started up by Richard and Jeff and Jesse and Dom gathering logs for the fire the camping bit got underway with booze flowing.  A toast was given, amidst the enjoyment, to express our sorrow for Benge who had the misfortune to be sat on a beach in foreign parts reading a book whilst the good life passed him by.  An elderly gentleman who they call Tea Bag (although now 60 he was born before it’s invention) came drinking his beer from a glass (too many sophisticated parties?)  Rob James tells me he now rides on multi directional swivel footrests which cost a mint - however as a cigar came in my direction I must say his riding is astounding!  Gordon, Mike and Tim (no Barry Fitz) arrive from the Bluebeards to consume litres then, to bed in his van, Mike walks off in the opposite direction.
Bleary eyed Sunday for the campers was apparent - those that hadn’t indulged looked like ‘youth of today!’  Barry Joiner, obviously from  Chessington, in his immaculate party wear and Dave B who kept his feet under the table as he signed on to avoid a mention in this rag - these boots suffered later when Dave looped trying to avoid the rut on Sect 6 and he ended up in the stream to return very smothered.  Quite a bit of head over heels at this event so when Ian Mac broke yet another mudguard we suggested he buys them in 10’s but he doubted if Mike would give any discount.

All that was on blues so may as well do the rest.  Steve Mitchell must have been practicing, earlier this year he was on yellows, not too high and now at the top of the Blue.  I wondered if Steve and John had got mixed up!  Ian Mac in spite of wheel cover, got 3rd and Dave B’s difficulties pushed him down the list.  Dom J didn’t shine on Saturday but this time the blues all finished with very little between them.  
Graham Knight in the middle said his problems were on Sect 1 in the ditch which he couldn’t get out of, whatever his riders constantly improve.
Well done Jesse, leading the whites and leaving all the inters behind.  He deserves that for all the work he did this weekend.  Tony F didn’t arrive till 11.45 and did his 4 laps by 1.45 thinking he would miss the course dismantling.  When he found the ones sitting at the table still had 2 laps to go he was gobsmacked, still, they had a slippery ride due to the water being carried up so it wasn’t so bad.

Yellows had the easiest of times, Charlie Page cleaning the whole route and Mick Dunstan getting his 2nd place losing 3.   Jack Northover was best SB on 5, there were 6 riders on single digit results.  Dave A had the first clean lap ever, then messed it up when he missed a gate.  Kate and Gordon were being competitive - 16 and 17 at lunchtime, then Katie’s bike needed a repair and Gordon’s riding got better!  Colin H upset the kids when he said we’re going home at 10.30 am, I told them he’s getting old, pointing to Jeff C they replied ‘look at him then, he’s riding’.  John Pocklington normally rides blues, but after a lay off opted for yellows, he used to work for the old Enfield importers and we spent lunchtime hearing stores of all the problems - worrying?  As I told the story of the Enfield so many times at camping weekend I think I’d better give you a progress report from time to time - the bike is due in 2 weeks.  There were no red riders over the weekend but in consolation to the setter out one or two went down to them in the Yankee.  Thanks to everyone involved over the weekend especially Pete, who having ridden both events, set out and cleared up, must have done 10 or more laps, when he went he smiled but said - ‘I’m knackered’.



RESULTS

Saturday Yankee Trial

1.  Adam Bird      150            12.  Dave Alder       62
2.  Jesse Brooker  122            13.  Richard S        61
3.  Steve Hook     112            14.  Nick Herridge    58
4.  Mark Johnson    94            15.  Pete Brooker     53
5.  Graham Knight   87            16.  Ryan Henderson   51
6.  Colin Harwood   84            17.  Dom Jarrett      49    
7.  Tony Harwood    78            18.  Tony Flegg (dnf) 43
8.  Roy Barnes      77            19.  Luke Humphrey    38
9.  John Bird       76            20.  Jeff Cox         35
9.  Emma Thopson    76            21.  Dick Husband (1lap) 8
11. Mick Dunstan    66

Dnf - Tim Martin, Will Martin, Tony Harwood





Sunday Trial

White                         Blue                Yellow       
                                       
Jesse Brooker  SB   56        Steve Mitchell   O40   6        Charlie Page    C      0
Mike Husband   I    59        tom Horsboourgh  N    38        Mick Dunstan    O50    3
Tony Flegg     I    86        Ian McCulloch    O40  40        Jack Northover  SBC    5
Sam Aldrich    I    92        Paul Pearson     O40  51        N Brown         O50    5
Tim Husband    I    99        B Flook          O40  51        John Pocklington C     6
                              John Mitchell    N    52        Josh  Bray       SBC   8
                              Glen Jarvis      N    53        Dave Alder       O50   12
                              Graham Knight    N    55        Ian Johnston     O50   14
                              Charley Page     SBB  59        Gordon Brown      C    20
                              Dom Jarrett      SBB  63        Nigel Bray        C    21
                              Dave Blackman    N    66        Niall Spreadbury  SBC  27
                              Pete Brooker     N    67        Katie Husband     SGC  33
                                                              Paul Hill         C    43
                               dnf Adrian Dance               D Hawkins        C    116
                                       
Analysis    %   Entry   Entered    DNF    % Fin            dnf Jeff Cox, Dave Mears       
White    15        5    0    100                   
Blue    38        13    1    93                   
Yellow    47        16    2    88                   
Red    0                                   
                                       
Total %    100        34    4    92                   



GROUP TRIAL
The August event was run by Eastbourne Club which was the 8th round of the championship.  As usual not many HR’s rode.  Adam Bird, 1st in the Inters lost 89.  Mick Huskinson 2nd O40 dropped 62 with Mike H on 78 in the same class.  Looks like the scores were about right - I have no report on the event other than the course got overnight rain and the day was hot!

BLUEBEARDS TRIAL
Again only dips of information - several HR’s rode, Barry Fitz, Gordon, Mike and Tim.  I understand a team was entered and can safely say it wouldn’t have won.  Barry was riding well and only lost 3 before handicap was added.  Mike rode his trail bike which according to Gordon went well - perhaps Mike will add some results if he is aware of them…..

More on the Bluebeards: This first trial in the Over 40s Weekend of Blue & Greybeards trials was held at Rogate as usual. Using both bits of the ground gave a reasonable ride round offroad. Well reasonable for the South East, I’d just returned from the Verdon 5 day in France, so I’ve been spoilt! The first lap took a while with a few queues here & there, well there was 132 riders out there. I’d entered us four on the standard route thinking it would be a doddle even on the trail bike (Pampera 280) and most of it was, but this year there were probably five teasers to get marks off the casual rider. First of these a log near the crest of a sandy hill saw many riders stumped several with chains off and five marks added. Tim was one, Gordon was not quite on the pace here for a similar result & I count myself fortunate to have whizzed up clean. Later a big hill climb saw several refusing the start & here I decided to try for a three on the Pampera. Just got away with it too. Tall trail gearing on this bike means rider is flustered when any gear other than first is called for! Tim managed to get lost in an easy section & fluffed a couple of others. Gordon’s Bult toppled over all by itself & broke a lever and after that he rode lap two spectating. Last section of the lap gave me my first five - a trip over a mid size log that saw Brian Barnes doing a superman impression on lap two. After a tea break we tackled lap two - we were late and with most riders finished we got one of those rare “Trials Heaven” moments of an empty course of rideable sections, most of which were ridden on the trot. It seemed to only take 20 mins or so!
As you may know the handicap here is 30 marks against a 40 year old and a clean start for 70 year old riders.with minus marks for those older. There are now two routes and several past masters were seen cruising round this route giving Gordon ideas.  There were thirteen riders 70 or over but only 3 rode the harder route.  We entered a team, dubbed the Horsham Super Slick 3 - it finished third of four. Five riders stayed clean - all were “youngsters” apart from T.Harvey who was runner up to Gordon Adsett who dabbed but had a lower handicap and finished on 7.
Mick Huskinson and all the Bognor young boys made the first class awards. By far the most impressive rider was George Greenland still riding an Ariel 500 at age 73 - and going well, he beat Tim on observation!

HR scores (inc h/cap) Mick Husky 24,  Phil M 26, Gary Martin 29, Barry Fitz 31,  Mike H 37, Bob Collins 44, Brian Barnes 44, Ian Mac 49, Tim H 51, Gordon B 107 & Tony Martin 33 on easy route, so you can see the age handicap system sorting things out!

Hopefully next year our Camping Trial will not clash & we can get to both events.
Mike H


Snetterton

13-14/08/05

When we were last at Snetterton in March, I managed to fall off going round Coram’s Curve & leading up to this weekend I realised that my foot still hurts from it! So a small demon to overcome this weekend was to make sure none of that was in my mind.
I didn’t mange to get on the practise day & this far into the season that’s not a bad thing as funds are getting a bit tight.
Snetterton’s not a bad track to learn, but as you go quicker there seems to be more to catch you out & it becomes quite an interesting place.
This weekend we were sharing a garage with Jeremy Hill, who was all set to tie up the “Forza Extreme” championship, Tazzie, who’s in her rookie year & looking to get some more points towards her total & Deb Cartwright who races with me & is getting quicker & quicker.
A good garage can be the difference between a good weekend & a cracking weekend & with Jeremy bringing about half of Essex with him, it looked like being the latter.
For our practise session I was trying a different gearing combination to my usual & as I hadn’t had the benefit of Friday’s practise I needed to get on the pace as soon as possible.
After a couple of laps the gearing felt good but the bike was developing a misfire, unusual as it’s normally so good. I kept on going as I needed the track time, misfire or not, until the flag came out to signal the end of the session.
A quick scratch of the head led me to recently changed spark plugs.
When I took them out I remembered that I hadn’t put on the extra washers needed to compensate for the tight squish clearance, doh!
The plugs I had put in had been walloped by the pistons & so closed the gaps up a little bit! Stupid boy!
Oh well, old plugs back in, drama over & look forward to the first race.
Sitting on the grid in 7th spot I was looking around me thinking I can beat all of these guy’s in front, no problem.
The lights went out & I got away well then got to the first corner on the inside & backed off way too soon, letting about ten bikes past as I got boxed in.
I don’t know what position I was in but I could see loads of bikes in front as we headed off down the Revett Straight.
I got by a couple then Deb came by me. I tucked in & got dragged along for a couple of laps until she went a bit deep into the Esses & buried herself for the right hander, this allowed me to get a bit better drive into the Bombhole & carry that speed through Coram’s & then make a pass going into Russell’s, which was a little bit tight…
Next target was Kevin Neal then in front of him was Phil Polden, who I had to get by, just to wind him up!
I got by Kevin & then got up along side Phil just as the last lap flags came out on the Senna Straight. We were neck & neck going up to Riches, but he braked last & took me going in. I had a look going into the Esses but wasn’t close enough, but got my chance as we came out towards the Bombhole. I got on the inside & prayed that he had seen me as we tipped in. He didn’t hit me so I suppose he did notice me. Late on the brakes into Russell’s meant he couldn’t get by & then we drag raced to the line, I couldn’t resist letting my left hand drop & give him a little wave as we crossed the line….
That race was good fun, but it took me a little while to wake up & after the bad first corner I managed to fight back up to 8th.
Next race I was determined not to make the same mistake, but did! It was almost an action replay! Good start from the line but backed off too soon for the first corner Grrrr.
I got quite frustrated with myself in this race as I just couldn’t see why I couldn’t go quicker. I was definitely slower than the others coming out of the Russell’s & maybe a bit slow out of Sears which both lead onto the Straights & so are very important, but it didn’t seem to matter what I tried, I couldn’t get it to go any faster.
Came in 11th.

The race just after us was Jeremy’s & from his result in the morning, all he needed to do was finish in front of Rob Elsmere who was second in the Championship.
As he was out for the warm up lap it started to rain so they were called in for a tyre change if they wished.
A lot of frantic action from his crew had his wheels changed to full wets in no time & he went back out to do the business.
Winning a championship is special, to win it with one round left to go is something else & needs celebrating!
We armed ourselves with bottles of Tesco’s finest fizzy wine (well it was close to champagne) & as soon as he came into the garage Robbie took his bike & we got him outside for a “picture”…
He was soaked, right down to his boots, well deserved, well done that man!
Sunday Morning I got up & changed my gearing for one tooth less on the rear, looking for better drive out of the corner’s & went out for practise. It felt better so I decided to run with it for the race.
I don’t think I can remember a race with the first couple of laps so busy, there were bikes everywhere! Nobody was sticking to a line, just trying to find a gap.
When it settled down (a bit!) I was behind Scott Halliday, who I think was having the same sort of weekend as me, struggling at the same corners.
Just as I was thinking where I could make a move, Phil Polden came by. I was expecting a wave but it didn’t come, he just carried on & took Scott.
Coming into Russell’s for the penultimate time I was getting close to Scott again but this time a back marker was coming into play, Scott forced his way through, upsetting the poor bloke which made him wobble all the way through the corner in front of me & giving Scott about twenty yards on me going into the last lap. I couldn’t make it up & came in 10th.
Tazzie went out next just as it started to rain, she rode really smooth which paid off & gave her another point towards her collection.
Next up was Deb in the Clubman race. This was a really good battle which she came out on top & finished 4th, top result.
So we had Jeremy getting his championship, Tazzie getting points & Deb just missing a podium. Better pull my finger out & not let the side down.  We were called for the last race in damp conditions & on the warm up lap it started to rain, not hard, but enough to make you think.  Into the first corner & it was obvious that some hadn’t thought about it!
I got to the inside, as that’s usually the safest bet, then I saw someone on my outside lose their front wheel, they knocked into someone else & so the skittle effect started.  You can’t afford to look but I’m sure I saw at least three bikes on top of each other sliding along with the riders sandwiched somewhere in between!
The red flags came out & we returned to the holding area.
A couple of the riders came rushing back with borrowed or spare bikes but there were still a few gaps in the grid.
So we lined up again, still just about spitting with rain, for another go.  The first few laps for me were about feeling where the grip was, it was damp all round but some bits were more slippery than others. We have to run on road tyres unless a wet race is declared & although this wasn’t dry it wasn’t wet enough for wets.
So I’ve had my feel around, time to put some faith in the Pirelli tyre engineer’s!  I’ve got to admit to liking these conditions, I think it’s from riding a Trials bike & having to feel what’s going on. Anyway it must have paid off as I found myself up into 5th place. Then I saw his foot come out, not a good idea to take a “dab” at about 50mph, so he wasn’t enjoying himself! That put me up to 4th I was gaining on 3rd.  Full of confidence I took a leaf out of Jeremy’s book, waited until he made a mistake & pounced to take 3rd place, nice.  So we came away with a nice trophy after all that, I need to learn a rain dance!
Next stop Brands Hatch

Can’t wait
    Budge

HR EVENTS
SEPTEMBER
SUN    11    SOUTHERN TRIALS CLUB - GROUP TRIAL
SAT    17    HR TRAINING TRIAL - NORTHLANDS
SUN    18    PRACTICE DAY AT HALNAKER
SUN    25    BOGNOR CLUB TRIAL

OCTOBER
SAT    1    LAYOUT TRIAL AT NORTHLANDS.  TEAM LAVERDOS.  John
        Yardley 01273 555391  Kevin McDavitt 01273 601465  Bob Collins    
        01342 713808
SUN    2    HR CLUB TRIAL - NORTHLANDS WOODS 10.30 AM START
WED    5    HR  COMMITTEE MEETING AND CLUB NIGHT 8.30 PM - Shelly Arms,         Broadbridge Heath
SUN    9    EASTBOURNE GROUP TRIAL
SUN    16    PRACTICE DAY AT HALNAKER
SUN    23    BOGNOR CLUB TRIAL

NOVEMBER
SAT    5    LAYOUT TRIAL AT ROME WOODS - TEAM JIMMIES - Ken Rickets
        01737 240816  Duncan Archer 01306 501714 Kevin Brooker 07771 937692
        Sam Spear 01306 621316
SUN    6    HR CLUB TRIAL AT ROME WOODS - 10.30 AM START
SUN    6    BOGNOR GROUP TRIAL
WED    9    HR CLUB NIGHT 8.30 PM - Shelly Arms, Broadbridge Heath
SUN    20    PRACTICE DAY HALNAKER
SUN    27    BOGNOR GROUP TRIAL

FOR SALE June 2003 Scorpa 250r, one careful veteran rider(me). Usual extras, road registered. £1800. Home number 01342 713808,mobile 07778653639.
ta Bob Collins

FOR SALE Skoda Pick Up S Reg, low mileage (38000), good condition £1500 ono  - Phone Tim H on -01306 712317


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 Three NEW Trials DVDs now available, 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

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