Hot News
Enduro, trials and grasstrack date changes confirmed
Date changes to several meetings were approved by the Western Centre board on March 8. They are:
Ledbury, Grasstrack on Saturday June 12. (Spring Classic April 25, and Peterchurch Show August 30 both Cancelled).
West Glos, Trail Bike Trial, Saturday May 1 (changed from May 15).
West Glos, Enduro, Sunday July 18 (changed from August 22).
Wye Valley, Non-Expert Trial, Sunday May 9 - provisional. (changed from February 21)
Check out the up to date Calendar. [on 9Mar10]
Swindon trial, February 21
Stuck for a trial this weekend? Bretton King has the answer: "Did you kick yourself last month when you missed the "snowtastic" Swindon club trial?? Yes.. you probably did!! Well, don't miss out again, especially as there is a shortage of events on in the Western Centre for the next few weeks.
Swindon are running the second round of their Club Championship at Hannington near Highworth on Sunday 21st February. The Old Station Yard venue is a mere 15 minutes south of Cirencester, 2 miles off the A419 east of Blunsdon so it is within easy reach. There will be a 4 lap - 12 section course laid on with three routes (easy, clubman and expert) to cater for allcomers, so load up that bike this weekend and head for the great outdoors in Wiltshire - its what a weekend is made for isn't it... and there's even a pub 100 yards away for post-trial "rest and recuperation"!!!"
Club details are on the calendar of neighbouring centre events.
[on 18Feb10]Autojumble and Show
On 21 February 2010 Ledbury MCC are holding an Off Road Autojumble at Bromesberrow Village Hall 10-4 with some bikes on show. Stalls inside: £10, outisde: £6, trade: £15. Admission £3. Anyone booking a stall inside the hall MUST bring a waterproof/oilproof sheet to protect the floor. All booking/enquiries to Mr P Davis 01432 275850 [on 14Feb10]
Mercian DR Presentation
Mercian Dirt Riders will have their presentation evening on 20th Feb at Blaina Community Centre. Complete with Buffet meal, Live Band and Bar. Tickets £8.50 For more details tel 01989 763455 or email mail@merciandirtriders.co.uk. The club has much to celebrate - including raising £6,000 and counting for Help for Heroes. [on 16Jan10]
For Sale: red frame Yamaha
Red frame Yamaha, with new clutch, new chains and sprockets, new brake shoes, forks serviced and new seals fitted. Tidy condition, make a great yellow route, or field bike. £500.00 ono. Contact Andrew Luff 01454 260509, 07712 666449. [on 16Jan10]
Hurran off
“Gloucester and Cotswold Motor Club Hurran Trial has had to be cancelled due to the adverse weather conditions" says Tom Welch. "The National Trust has requested that we look at a November date for both the re-run and for future years. All entries will be cancelled and cheques destroyed. For further information please contact the secretary of the meeting Mike Gunn on 01452 830 052.” [on 12Jan10]
Audrey Jones
Audrey Jones, past member of Gloucester and Cotswold and Severnside Clubs passed away on 12th July 2009. Funeral at St Helen's Church, Alveston on 24th July at 1.00pm [on 18Jul09]
3 wheels good for Saunders?
As it turned out, not bad at all...See more on YouTube [on 9Jul09]
3 wheels good for Saunders?
We've lost count of the number of trials and titles Steve Saunders has won on two wheels but how about on 3 wheels? Well, this weekend he's taking on the challenge of riding a pre 65 outfit at the Golden Valley's (AMCA) Eurocup trial. "The machine has been loaned to us and we only got hold of it a week ago so we have had a few practice outings," says ballast man Mark Thornhill of SVMC. "Steve is in control of the bike and I am being dragged around in the chair." Good luck lads, and to all the local crews. Find out a bit more about the event here. The event is run at Chalford, a stone's throw from the late Brian Lethbridge's home, and this is no doubt an trial he would have taken great interest in. [on 2Jul09]
Brian Lethbridge
Sad news: Brian Lethbridge has died at the age of 72. Brian was a one-off who will be very much missed and we send our sincere condolences to his family. He was an expert on Triumphs and won one of the first Sammy Miller series titles aboard an outfit. Brian's funeral was held at noon on Monday, June 22 at Cheltenham Crematorium.
Many Western Centre faces, past and present turned out to support Brian's family. In an excellent and well-researched eulogy, Centre chairman Tony Noel took the congregation back to when he and Brian met, in the early 50s as schoolboys at the grammar. Brian and he both lived in Prestbury, and were attracted by the sound of scrambles motorcycles up at Draper's Farm. Tony explained that they soon joined up with the Cheltenham Home Guard, as membership ensured free entry to the scramble!
All manner of machines were altered for off-road use but Brian really found his metier with Triumphs - the only machine he said he really understood. He excelled with sidecars but most of all he was a man of generous spirit, humour, and forthright opinion. He also wrote the definitive article on the great John Draper's life, published in Classic Motorcycle. He will be very much missed but not forgotten. A superb picture, which sums up Brian will is on the West Glos site. [on 22Jun09]
Wye Valley Trials Dates Change
The Wye Valley AC trial scheduled for the 29th November (after centre board meeting) will not run on this date as it clashes with Gwent STC, it will now run on Sunday 13th December. [on 25May09]
STOLEN GAS GAS EC200
Jerry Walters, regular LDTer, time trialler and pusher of stuck enduro riders has been done over by thieving scum. Anyone who sees any bit of this bike, contact jem@fast4.net
Jerry says: "Just to let you know that I was targeted by thieves last night and had a GasGas EC200 enduro bike stolen from my back garden in Whitchurch, Bristol. I know its a long shot, but if anybody sees or hears anything of the bike please let me know.
It's a yellow, 2001 model frame number UTREC200104010286. Some distinguishing features include gold anodised front brake lever, silver renthal handlebars with home made bar risers, yellow and black 'Pro Grip' grips, Metzeler MC4 rear tyre, Michelin S12 front tyre, Blackbird Racing stickers on fork guards, non standard lowering link and white number backgrounds.
The seat cover had been repaired at the back with Vinylweld and there was some 'road rash' damage to the front brake master cylinder, top yoke and front number board.
3 youths were seen pushing the bike through a neighbours fence (literally!) at about 3.15 AM this morning. It was last seen being pushed in the general direction of Hartcliffe.
The bike had always been troublesome and currently has a broken gearbox so cannot be ridden. Nevertheless I'm keen to get it back in any condition as it was not insured."
[on 11May09]Western Centre/Glos and Cots Awards Night
Saturday 16th May sees the Grand Awards Presentation Evening at the Red Lion pub in Huntley (Junc. of North Road and A40). The Glos and Cotswold Motor Club are hosting an awards presentation evening for their own annual awards, and the Western Centre awards for 2008. Look here and here to see if your name is on the list!
All Centre Officials are cordially invited, and Tom Welch hopes that everyone will bring a raffle prize with them (or face a forfeit!) The presentation will be followed by a light buffet and hopefully the traditional “Killer” skittles match!
The weekend also sees a training day on the Saturday but the Matthew Trial due to go ahead on the Sunday is CANCELLED. Places are limited on the training day so it will be on a first come first served basis - contact Tom Welch. [on 29Apr09]
Ray Gerring
News has reached us of the sad death of Ray Gerring. Ray was very well known and liked in the Western Centre and only last week was enjoying a day out at an Oxford Ixion Trial. You can read a little more about Ray on the West Glos site. The funeral will take place at the Oxford Crematorium on Friday 20th March at 12.45pm and Ray's son Harry says "Everyone that knew our dad and is able to join our dad on his final journey from our home would be greatly appreciated. He will be leaving our home address at 12.10pm". The funeral will be followed by a send-off at the Cumnor Cricket Club. Everyone will be made welcome. [on 15Mar09]
A new route from Zona 1
Rob Workman reports: Zona One MCC, will introduce a new route for their Dennis Saunders Trial on 12th April.
We feel that there is a wide variety of abilities in the Clubman and Sportsman classes, With this in mind we will have a 50/50 route in between these two classes it will be called (Sportsman plus route) Competitors will ride approximately 50% of the easier sections on the Clubman route and 50% of the harder sections on the Sportsman route.
These will be determined by a Sign at the beginning of the section, This New route is aimed at riders at the Lower end of the Clubman route results and the riders at the top end of the Sportsman route results.
This is an idea we have been considering for a long time now. We feel the time is right to introduce this. Your feedback on this is invited and we will consider all ideas.
[on 15Mar09]Rachel Clarke Wins Observer's championship
Rachel Clarke has won the 2008 Centre Observers championship prize of £50 by observing more Championship rounds than anyone else. It is always a pleasure to see Rachel’s smiling face, and she is always a willing “volunteer”. I am sure all the COC’s, and riders, will join me in saying a big “Thank you”. Tom Welch (Trials recorder) [on 6Jan09]