Darlington & D.M.C. Dave Gatenby Memorial Trial, Croft, Sunday

THE Dave Gatenby Trial at Dalton Woods on Sunday was more or less a battle with the mud.

Torrential rain turned the Croft venue into an ordeal for the twenty six competitors and consequently the heavy going brought eleven retirements.

While his motorcyclist journalist father Ray sunbathed on top of an Italian mountain Whickham's John Crinson weighed up the situation and sped round through the eleven sections.

John said: "After the first Section I reckoned it was going to be a muddy ride, and it was so I pressed on."

Agricultural machine technician Paul Dennis had the same thoughts and kept moving to finish second ahead of Mark Willis.

The three section variations featured just seven finishers in Expert and Clubman classes while on the Easy route only veteran Derek Bainbridge escaped the cull.

Wetherby & D.M.C. 5th Norman Crooks Trophy Trial, Fellbeck, Saturday

WAS it a trial or just a wet ordeal on Saturday evening for ten observers and forty nine competitors at the fifth event in the Wetherby Motor Club's Norman Crooks Trophy series of trials?

At 4.30 pm Nidderdale was dry and warm but on the stroke of 5.30 pm when the trial got underway at the rearranged venue of Kingstone Farm the sky unleashed a thunderstorm of gargantuan proportions, in other words - the Full Monty, torrential rain, thunder and lightning, the latter to close for comfort, and a lashing of hailstones.

Donna Dagbilen and Rob Shepherd observed the only sections with a vestige of shelter, the tree shrouded stream and the legendary Holly Tree which were one and two on the four lap route.

Those who drew the short straws were Julia Rose near the Holly Tree and from the east boundary wall sections four to eight, manned by Andy Townson, Dave Gamble, James Benson, Patrick Darbyshire, Sue Smith.

The final sections were above the stream with even less shelter so Jill Harker and Wendy Sherwin plus the other eight officials all deserve a medal.

As far as the trial the winner was Danny Gamble galloping a crisp sounding mint condition Beta TR34.

Neil Gaunt and Andy Tales topped the 50-/50 course but in different classes.

Neil would have had the top spot on most cleans but for the class difference.

Wetherby run again on August 12 at Bayliss Gap Farm where the entry limit is eighty starters Results.

Peveril Motor Cycle and Light Car Club

THE first day of the Acklams Beta A.C.U. Ladies and Girls National Trial championship on the Isle of Man on Saturday was also hit by the weather.

The organisers stopped the trial on Saturday morning at Scarlett Farm as weather conditions deteriorated rapidly just after the start time.

Organiser Gareth Temple said: "We decided to move to the Sunday venue of Knock Froy and were up and running at 12.15 pm despite heavy rain."

World and British Champion Emma Bristow ruled the adult class. The four north east girls excelled in the inclement weather.

Durham's Olivia Pearson took two fourth places in the Ladies intermediate category scoring twenty six championship points and is ranked fourth in the class, Jo Minns was right on Olivia in the same class and scored a double fifth and is ranked fifth just ten points behind Olivia.

The Middleham Mayhew girls were really on top of the conditions. Molly returned a double second place and is now ranked second in Youth Inter Class A.

Amelia Mayhew was fourth on both days in Class B age group and is ranked fourth overall.

The championship resumes on August 19 at Heathfield, Essex then a finale at Chelmsford on October 28.

FIXTURES

Wednesday

Richmond Motor Club, Annual Youth Trials Training school, Cogden Hall, Grinton, 10.30am. (Fee required) Open only to Club members).

Thursday

Richmond Motor Club, Annual Youth Trials Training school, Cogden Hall, Grinton, 10.30am. (Open only to Club members).

Saturday

Guisborough M.C. George's Charity Trial, Charltons, Guisborough, 4.00pm.

Sunday

Richmond M.C. Easy trial, Carlton, Leyburn, 10.30am.

Ripon Motor Club, Artie Ratcliffe Vase Novice trial, Winksley, 11.00am.