SCARBOROUGH rider Simon Kershaw hung on to a slender one-mark advantage over East Yorkshire Centre Champion Guy Kendrew to snatch the win in Guisborough DMC’s Alan Fothergill Trial at Birk Brow.

Alan Fothergill did attend the trial that bears his name, although he has not been in the best of health recently. Alan, a well-respected rider in his day, proved a major figure in the birth of Guisborough Club in the early 1970s and was instrumental in making it work over the years.

Kershaw and Northallerton’s Guy Kendrew were in superb form, Kershaw going on to take the trophy by just one mark from reigning East Yorks champion Kendrew. Marton rider Dave Pye, still one of the most competitive riders in the game was well in with a shout, but an uncharacteristic five on the climb of Pete Simpson’s dropped him off the pace.

The two Middlesbrough brothers, Colin and Barry Chapman, along with Marske rider Mike Watson, dominated Clubman A Class, all losing just 12 marks. Colin snatched the win on most cleans from Watson, with Barry just second time out on the new Gas Gas third.

Yarm’s Darren Johnson and Mick Dorgan, from Loftus, tried their hardest to get on level terms, with Clubman B winner Rob Linklater, but had to settle for minor placings as Linklater hung on for the win. Linklater produced a great ride on his Twin Shock to stay in front of the more modern machinery.

Predictably, Youth stars Richard Sadler and Jack Peace won their classes. Sadler completed the course to finish overall third. He collected his new MRS Sherco on Monday afternoon along with Hurworth youngster Rob Waite. Both will compete under MRS team colours.

THE first round of theYorkshire Classic club’s 2010 Pre-65 motorcycle trials championship got off the a lively start at Lady Lane on Sunday when 70 British bike buffs were in action.

The Bingley venue was clear of the snow and that suited former Batley road race star Mick Grant perfectly. He rode his special British Ariel machine to overall victory from Harrogate stone merchant Neil Gaunt.

Yorkshire Classic will stage their next trial, for pre-unit machines, on Sunday at Manor Farm, Glusburn, starting at 10.30.

PICKERING Motor Club secretary David Brown interrupted the snow clear and log stoking at Ilkey to furnish us with a summary of trials in 2010 in the East Yorks Centre.

David named eight trials clubs who are in line to stage 102 up to centre level trials, and a mindboggling 11 nationals, so the total is 113. Scarborough leads the numbers with 26 centre and club events and seven nationals.

Unfortunately, two nationals, the Collinson and Colonial have already been cancelled.

The clubs involved are Eboracum (18), Guisborough (12), Hull Auto (12), Middlesbrough (14), Northallerton (12), Pickering (8), Scarborough (26) and Thirsk.

Manpower involved will be somewhere in the region of two thousand officials, including observers, course planners, event secretaries and stewards.