Hurran Trial 2013
Results 2013 - version 5 from G&C's number crunchers makes for an even closer result! [On: 19Nov13 19:56]
Haslam's got it on dabs
Report and Pictures: Ben F
Virtually nothing separated first and second places at the annual Hurran Trial between two top British championship contenders.
It was ACU British trials number seven Sam Haslam (JST Gas Gas) who pipped 2013 third-ranked rider Ross Danby (SXS Jotagas) over two laps of 21 sections at the National Trust property in the heart of Cotswold trials country.
Sections five, 11, and 20 proved to be the most testing hazards, and while Danby lost a total of two over two laps of section five and Haslam three, Berkhamsted's former Hurran winner Haslam edged Danby over 11 and 20.
Danby carded a one and a three on section 11's vicious slippery climbs, Haslam went one and one on each lap, then nailed the win on section 20 by recording five and one compared to Danby's five and three.
That helped Haslam overcome a five on section 16 during lap one, too. Both lost 16, and both recorded 35 cleans, leaving the result decided on one mark losses as a tie breaker.
Last year's winner and fresly re-crowned Western Centre trials champion Simon Welch from Ruardean (SXS Jotagas) edged Kurt Brain from Dursley (Sherco) off the podium by a solitary mark as well, 22 to 23.
Cinderford rider Ben Bowkett (Raw Sports Gas Gas) scored the same marks lost as last year's second place man Rob Warner (Raw Sports Montesa) and edged him on more cleans.
That the event boasted a full entry of 100 three weeks prior was testament to its popularity across the south of England, and riders across the board seemed to be enjoying the trial's legendary monster climbs.
Clerk of the course Tom Welch and his team managed to plot sections which put two of the best riders in the country in to double figure losses, while the back end of the expert entry only saw average losses of less than three per section.
The National Trust and the Gloucester and Cotswold club work hard to preserve the future of the event and the glorious woodland, and it's one to savour.
Lydney rider Henry Bendall (Gas Gas) reckoned he needed a throttle that would go round even further after giving his machine a thorough rolling road test on section 11. Likewise Newent's Glyn Smith who cleaned the clubman version of the same section, in fifth gear.
While just under 30 experts entered, clubmen rode an easier version of the course, while the clubman/expert class tackled the easier expert sections and the harder clubman obstacles.
Michael James edged D Greeves and John Cowley in to second and third in the clubman/expert class, which some members of the ACU Western Centre youth development squad stepped up to try.
Jake Hoare enjoyed an outing on his dad's Gas Gas 250, while Victoria Payne, with only 125cc of power to call on gamely attacked every hazard with trademark poise, and no little encouragement from Jake, Chris Wickham and Andy Ridley. Tom Culliford buzzed his 125 Sherco round for 26 and best youth B, while James Colbourne too was aboard a 125, which allowed him to compete for top youth A rider honours.
Tom Pike earned bragging rights over the rest of the Mendip contingent with 17 marks lost and second place in the clubman class to D Brown. Stroud Valley MC member Phil Marsh had a cracking day and scored 22. Many thanks to the landowner and all the observers for making the 2013 Hurran trial one to remember.
Update II: Did you make the cut? Take a look above at the finalised list of entrants for the Hurran Trial and check it out. If you have entered and cannot ride then contact Mike Gunn asap to allow a reserve to take your place! [On: 15Nov13 20:32]
Update: The Hurran must be a must do - 2 weeks to go and it's full and Gloster & Cotswold have a substantial reserve list! [On: 2Nov13 21:23]
Preview: Ben Falconer
It's here - one of the premier trials in the south of England trials calendar, the Hurran at Ebworth. This 2 lap, 20+ section event always attracts a good entry, particularly from the Experts. If you like big, high gear climbs, this is the event for you! Gloucester and Cotswold MC work hard with the landowners, the National Trust, to maintain this event in classic Cotswold trials country. Don't delay on getting an entry in - there's a limit of 100, and it is a round of the Western Centre Trials Championship.