As is tradition over a number of years now, South Shields and District Motor Club kicked off the New Year with their Caer Urfa Cup Trial, held at Shield Close above the village of Westgate in the Wear Valley. Exactly 90 riders turned out in glorious sunshine coupled with almost freezing temperatures, so thanks go to the hardy bunch of observers.

Jamie Stephenson has constantly been improving since his comeback some time ago and he hit top spot on the Expert Route this week, after been given a run for his money by Dale Robson and Scott Fenton.

On the Clubman Route it was Carl Shaw who took the overall win here last summer, got off to a slow start in section one, but after losing six here went round the rest of the course for just a couple more to win by two from James Black, with Stephen Bennett beating brother John into third. Brian Johnson, from Yarm, lasted out until his last visit to section three where the muddy turn caught him for his only mark of the day, giving him a one mark win on the Easy Course.

Results:

Expert Course: 1 Janie Stephenson (Gas Gas) 27, 2 Dale Robson (Ossa) 29, 3 Scott Fenton (Sherco) 30.

Clubman Course: 1 Carl Shaw (Gas Gas) 8, 2 James Black (Sherco) 10, 3 Stephen Bennett (Beta) 19.

Easy Course: 1 Brian Johnson (Sherco) 1, 2 Jim Fawcett (Sherco) 2, 3 Andy Lewis (Ossa) 8.

Luke Walker won the annual Ilkley Motor Club annual New Year Trial at Dob Park, Otley.o n Sunday by beating Guy Kendrew and Richard Sadler in what was a very polished ride by the Ashby de la Zouch MRS Sherco team member.

After taking in the delights of the Sheffield arena trial the intrepid pair, father Andrew and Luke, opted for a night on the tiles. They headed up the M1 and camped on Snowdon Moor a mile from Dob Park, appearing at the start none the worse for an evening in a Transit van on top of an exposed moor in sub zero temperatures.

Results. Experts: 1 Luke Walker (MRS Sherco) 17, 2 Guy Kendrew (Beta) 19, 3 Richard Sadler (Beta) 23.

Novices: 1 Oliver Sharp (Gas Gas) 67, 2 Thomas Housecroft (Beta) 71, 3 Paul Kettlewell (Gas Gas) 71.

Clubman: 1 Andrew Jackson (Gas Gas) 42, 2 Jamie Stephenson (Gas Gas) 48, 3 Paul Dennis (Beta) 48.

Over 40’s: 1 James Noble (Montesa) 42, 2 Paul Turner (Gas Gas) 47, 3 Eddie Aitken (Gas Gas) 62.

Youth Class B: 1 William Tolson (Beta) 55, 2 Oliver Smith (Sherco) 67, 3 Scott Aitken (Sherco) 89.

Clubman B: 1 Howard Gulley (Gas Gas) 15, 2 Ian Haigh (Montesa) 17, 3 Mark Chippendale (Gas Gas) 20.

Youth Class C: 1 Joel Holdsworth 82, 2 Harry Turner 105, 2 Harvey Mosley 112. (All Beta).