CHG Robin's Quarry Trial, 2 Jan 2011

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Report: Steve Venn

Pictures: Mike Yiend. See more at Mike's website

Results

Cheltenham Home Guard Held a New Year club easy trial at Hazleton quarry on Sunday 2nd January 2011. 3 Laps of 15 sections kept the 95 riders entertained with a day of steady trials riding in the wintry conditions.

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As ever this event proves very popular, but more so this year as so many events have had to be put off due to extreme weather over the past weeks. This area was inaccessable and under 2 foot of snow only a few days earlier.

Good concentration was needed to avoid dropping marks, as the sections were as intended on the easy side. Some proved a little trickier then anticipated as the rocks had a light covering of early morning frost, and the tight turns contiued to catch riders out all day. A steady, gentle, smooth approach worked best, and was expertly demonstrated by the class winners.

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The course became a little easier with the passing of wheels, packing down the loose rocks with a clear line soon developing for competitors to follow through the sections.

Seasoned campaigners tackled the Clubman, harder route, with good consistent rides being recorded by many. Best ride was Tim Wheeler on 1mark lost Runner up was Guy Kenyon-Bell Hoping his Sherco around for only 2marks lost.

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But most impressive ride of the day was the ever improving young Lee Bond out on his new Gas Gas 125. He will soon be challanging Grandad and sponser Andy(the winkler) Perry. Also very young Ralph Kemp riding the hard route was displaying high skill levels at times, and when more consistance comes to his riding with experience he will be one to watch in the future.

The easier sportsman route for beginners, Trail bikes and Pre65's returned some creditable performances. The very determend Neil Ludlow on his thumping Honda XR400 along with Carl Long returned the only clean rides of the day.

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Andrew Weddle continues to impress on his ancient ridged Panther losing just 3marks. Andrew along with Billy Andrews and club offical Dave Eeles, are all delighted to have entries for this years scottish Pre65 confirmed. Best wishes to all of them.

The 50/50 route was won by the well chuffed young James Saunders who was taking it all in his stride. R/UP was evergreen Billy Andrews on 2marks lost.

A special well done to our yonger centre riders who all enjoyed the days riding, and are encouraged by the low scores they returned. Big thanks to the observers for standing out in the cold.

A few words by Ben F

The CHG arranged the weather nicely for the first centre trial of the year. Let's hope it continues like this for 2011. Results show Tim Wheeler at the top of the clubman class and James Saunders heading the Clubman/Sportsman 50/50 route - both on 1 mark lost. Neil Ludlow and Carl Long didn't put a foot wrong in the Sportsman class. Congratulations to them, and all those in the awards.

Big thanks to all the riders who came out and supported the event. Everyone seemed to enjoy the relaxed nature of the trial, to ease in to 2011. Bigger thanks to CHG's dedicated team of organisers, who found 5 more sections than usual, which cut down on queues. Biggest thanks to the new landowner and the observers, without whom there would be no event.

Look out for pictures from Mike Yiend.

Preview by Steve Venn

It's heading towards that time of year again when you will be planning to juggle your time so as to fit in your trials riding over the festive season. One don't miss event which is always well supported is Cheltenham Home Guard's New Year Easy Trial.

On January 2nd 2011 at Robins Quarry, Hazleton which is 10 miles east of Cheltenham off the A40 Oxford road. The club are planning to stick with there popular format for this trail which is to encourage occasional riders and beginners who want an easy going not to serious days riding, on any bike, Twin Shock, Pre65, Trail bike, etc. The sportsman very easy route will be marked to accommodate you.

The usual yellow route riders will be able to ride the Sportsman Plus route which will take in a few slightly more challenging sections and the Clubman route will provide the regular riders with a more testing course.

There will be no hard route. This venue is not adversely affected by the weather other than frost making it a little slippery, so if you can get there the trial will run.

The cost will be £17 which includes a year's membership of the club and reduced entry fees to our trials throughout 2011.

The secretary of the meeting is Sammy Wilson - entry forms/Regs can be downloaded from westerncentre.org.uk. Fill them in and bring with you to enter on the day. There will also be forms at the start. Enquiries to Steve Venn 01242 697494.

Previous years: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010.