Darlington & D.M.C. Trial, Eskleth, Sunday

THE Darlington club managed to run a shortened trial for seventy competitors at Seal House in Arkengarthdale.

With an elevation in the region of 1000 feet the trial took the brunt of the Arctic elements. The event secretary Graham Sanderson patiently?? sat in his car with the driving window down and snow blowing in and signed up sixty four competitors and also thirteen observers who were tough enough to stand out in wind driven snow and not a vestige of shelter.

Graham Sanderson conveys sincere thanks to the competitors and in particular the observers. One rider slipped through the Customs at Kendal on his way from Barrow in Furness to compete. In view of the conditions Darlington knocked of a lap but that still produced a twenty six section battle against the elements. Thomas Coates rode his Beta up to the start from his home. Inter winner Roger Williams competed in what appeared a remnant of some desert conflict complete with camouflage. Richard Sadler took a home posting rather that a distant drive to Colmore Trial and headed Williams in the results while Aldis Blacker contained Ryan Brown who was modelling C.J.T Engineering riding clothing. Gary Pears edged out Darren Gill on the well supported Green route where twenty two competed.

Predictably Paul Sadler won the clubman category from Mark Sunter who rode a pristine 500cc Ariel. The man and machine could be on track for a Pre-65 Scottish ride.

Basic Memorial Trial, Blubberhouses

THE annual Basic Memorial Trial scheduled to take place at Blubberhouses on Sunday was the first casualty of the weekend when Horsforth Motor Club organisers checked the venue alongside the A59 trunk road. Waterlogged land and a parking area resembling a boating lake greeted the clerk of course.

With no parking area for probably a hundred cars and vans the Club had no option but to cancel the trial. The history of the event goes back to the late forties when petrol coupons became history. The Horsforth club will now consider redate options in what is a full calendar. Many events were cancelled in the northwest area but the Darlington club managed to run a shortened trial for seventy competitors at Seal House in Arkengarthdale.

With an elevation in the region of 1000 feet the trial took the brunt of the Arctic elements.

Belle Trailers Beta British Ladies and Girls Trials Championship, Aston Tirrroid, Sunday

TORRENTIAL overnight rain failed to wreck the opening event in the Belle Trailers A>C.U. British Ladies and Girls Trials Championship at Aston Tirroid on Sunday. The three lap trial took place at Seymours Arena where thirty competitors, in seven classes, rode a three lap twelve section course. Doncaster chef Donna Fox won the top championship class from Chesterfield's Jess Bown. Telford fourteen year Alice Minta competed out of class and took third place. She is a regular Yorkshire visitor in trials.

Durham's Olivia Pearson rode her Rich Energy sponsored Gas Gas machine to third place in the Ladies Inter class followed Jo Minns who got her Merlin Sidecars backed 250 cc Beta. Bishop Middleham's Ameilia Mayhew took fifth place in the Class B youth category while Skeeby's Amber Richardson posted a fine ninth place in the muddy conditions.

FIXTURES

Saturday

West Leeds M.C. 1st Novices & Beginners trial, Post Hill, Farnley, Leeds, 10.00pm

Sunday

Middlesbrough & D.M.C. Cleveland Trial, Castleton, 10.00am

Wetherby & D.M.C. Centre restricted trial, Cockhill Mines, Greenhow. 10.30am

Pickering & D.M.C. Easy trial, Cawthorne Lane, Wrelton, 11.00am