The Sporting
T S I L C Y C R O T MO
..published monthly
orting motorcycling
News for social and sp
December 2019
Enduro, Grasstrack, Motocross, Road Racing, Speedway, Sprinting and Trials news
CONTAINS OFFICIAL EVENT ENTRY FORMS
The Sporting
MOTORCYCLIST
is published monthly and is available through your Clubs or by direct subscription
Editor
(ACU Southern Centre) John Bramall
16 Gifford Close, Fareham, Hampshire, PO15 6PJ T: 01329 823282 E: johnbramall246@btinternet.com
Editor
(ACU South Midland Centre) Bob Twigg
2 Harwood Close, Welwyn Garden City, Herts, AL8 7SN E: bobtwigg@ntlworld.com
Editor & Advertising and Distribution
(ACU South Eastern Centre) Andy Wood 30 Westways, Edenbridge, Kent TN8 6AA Tel/Fax 01732 865380
E: anmarprintingservices@gmail.com
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DECEMBER 2019 VOL. 19 ISSUE 12 PUBLISHED ON THE 1ST OF EACH MONTH
All material for TSM should reach the editor by the tenth day of the month preceding publication.
Cover Photo: Point of no return for the Kimbers
FROM THE EDITOR'S CHAIR n By Andy Wood
It’s that time of year, when are busily looking forward to events for the year ahead and the calendars are being devised. But there is still a month to go and among the regular events there are those special once a year occasions that appear around the festive period where riders and spectators enjoy the chance of fresh air and entertainment in good company. Though taking a chance to look back for a moment it is worth recording a remarkable day at the beginning of last month when two events held in the South East saw over 300 riders taking part. The first Sunday in November is traditionally Group Sunday and the Surrey Schoolboys Len Hutty Memorial Group Trial held at Hungry Hill for the Star Group, Thames Valley and the South Coast group encouraged 230 riders to take part. On the same day in Kent 108 riders gathered at Canada Heights to take part in the Sidcup club’s Dick Dickenson Trial, a round of the North Kent Combine series. What is it that brought that many riders out on that particular day? Lack of events elsewhere? The organising clubs? The venues perhaps, both well known, easy to reach, plenty of parking, good facilities all of which could play their part in enticing riders and their families to come out for the day. One other factor could also play a part, very often understated perhaps taken for granted and that is the social atmosphere that surrounds motorcycle events. Well done to both organisers. Before I leave the subject of group trials it is worth mentioning that this month that the usual round of group events are on the second Sunday the 8th and regulations for North Kent Combine, East Kent Combine, Star Group with Thames Valley Combine organised by Gravesend Eagles, Sittingbourne and Witley Clubs respectively all appear in this issue. Do help and encourage the organisers and enter by the closing date. Speed events usually go into hibernation during the winter months with the exception of a couple of well known occasions that occur on over the holiday period. The Witley Boxing Day Enduro is at Ashdown Farm, Blewbury, Oxon on the 27th but the traditional Boxing Day event the Wild and Woolly will not be held this year due to land difficulties. Speed events usually go into hibernation during the winter months with the exception of a couple of well known occasions that occur on Boxing Day. The Witley Boxing Day Enduro is at Ashdown Farm, Blewbury, Oxon and further north east from there the Wild and Woolly hopefully if present difficulties are resolved, will be at its usual venue at Arm Farm, Blisworth. Entries for both events will be filling fast by the time you read this.
Photo by: Andy Withers (Awsportsphoto)
Continued overleaf 3
Sunbeam Southern Sidecar Experts Goodwin Shield Normandy MCC Q  By Andy Withers Photos by Awsportsphoto Josh Golding and Izzy Saunders took a hard earned win in the Sunbeam Southern Sidecar Experts Trial at Hookwood Trials Centre in East Horsley. Two laps of fourteen sections were laid out by Richard Thomas, Paul Fishlock and the team with six out and out muddy woodland sections and eight using the steeper climbs and rocky gulleys. Golding and Saunders were riding together for the first time with no practice beforehand after Golding's regular crewman brother Luke started an ACU ban. The top crews began with
some consistent riding beginning at section one the first seven sections were reasonably straightforward as they were not too cut up. Head/Jacobs, the Kimbers, Golding/ Saunders and local team Adam and Harvey Allaway all opened up with seven cleans whilst Sean/
Adam and Harvey Allaway 6
Paul Cuckow took a dab on the first section. There were two Josh Golding and sections Izzy Saunders which were very challenging, Section 8 was a tester with a drop into a gulley before climbing over a rocky step up a steep climb zigzagging through trees, only Paul Fishlock and Debbie Merrell managed to clean. The Cuckow's managed a dab to share the lead with Golding/Saunders who took two. The Allaway's ran out of traction taking a five and the Kimbers flipped the Beta outfit spectacularly up in the air over the step also for five. The Cuckow's remained in contention until the last four sections of the lap where they lost thirteen to Golding/
Mick Treagus and Helen Allaway taking the exciting route Saunders two The second really challenging section was 13 with the Kimbers and Golding/ Saunders the only ones to clean the section on lap one. At the end of the lap Golding/Saunders were on four and the Kimbers next up on six. Both crews took a dab on section one of lap two with the muddy ruts in tight turns becoming deeper and more slippery. The Kimbers then cleaned all the sections through to twelve with Golding/Saunders dropping two on the tricky section 8 and a dab over a log step on section 11 leaving the two crews level with three sections to go. Section 13 proved the decider, the Kimber's made the difficult climb but misread a marker and exited the section the wrong way for a five, whilst Golding/Saunders took the only expert clean of the day on the section for victory. The excellent communication between Golding and Saunders
was the key to their partnership being a success on the day. They were very pleased to take the victory as they received their trophies from club secretary Graham Hill. Hats off to the Allaway family, Adam and Harvey were an impressive fourth in the experts. Helen Allaway stepped in to passenger for Mick Treagus,
finishing down the order with the bike persistently stalling. Kevin who came to watch, rode Jake Pope's outfit last minute with Jake in the chair after his passenger had an accident the day before, they had an absolute rollercoaster of a day! In the clubman sidecars Neil Hannam and Barry Pocock started with an annoying five on section 1 when the bike stalled but put in a good ride for a six point win from Torbjorn Eyre and Kiri Owen who were riding in their first competitive trial. In the Pre67's Pete Pesterfield and Debbie Smith were in great form despite taking a five on the first section they used the power of the Ariel on the climbs and through the mud to take an excellent class win seven points ahead of Paul Randall and Harry Martin on their Triumph. Sidecar Experts Josh Golding/ Izzy Saunders 8 Rupert/Chris Kimber 15 Rob Head/Aaron Jacobs 33 Adam/Harvey Allaway 38 Paul Fishlock/ Debbie Merrell 39 Continued overleaf
Great form Pete Pesterfield and Debbie Smith 7
Kent Speedway, Low, High and on the Up
Kent King Dan Gilkes receiving his award from a young fan.
Rob Ledwith receiving his award from Wayne Raines.
Q  By Neil Emmott
from rookie reserve to heat leader in this his first season The Kent Kings' season ended with the Kings. The award for on a slight low, but in reality SOKK Young Rider of the Year it was a high and topped off went to Norwich-based British with an up. On the low front, Grass track youth champion they narrowly missed out on taking the National League title Jake Mulford. The SOKK Special when the challenge of Leicester Award this year went to the Kings' club captain Rob Ledwith, was a step too far for the team in recognition of his special that had been tipped by many contribution throughout the for failure being such a young season. squad. However a large slice of humble pie was served to those Finally the "Up" After finishing second in the National League, doubters come the end of a Kent Kings have decided to very successful season. For the complete a move up a division record, the kings went down to the SCB Championship, 31-59 in the first away leg and speedways second tier. Unlike 43-47 in the home return with football, finishing top or the final total recorded with an bottom of a league does not overall loss by 74-106. mean automation promotion/ The high point of the season relegation. Teams can request was the End of Season Rider to move up, down or remain as Awards Presentation Evening. they are largely depending on National League first-timer their budget for the following Dan Gilkes was crowned the Supporters of Kent Kings' [SOKK] year. With the Kent TouchTec Kings wanting to make an Rider of the Year. The 17-year immediate and sensational old from Northampton rose 36
SOKK Young Rider of the Year Jake Mulford. impact as the new boys of the SGB Championship, they have secured the services of Scott Nicholls. The 41 year old multiBritish champion was revealed as the first signing of the new era and the club's new number one and captain at the End of
Season SOKK celebration. The presentation of the number 1 race jacket to the recordbreaking seven times British champion was made by team Boss Chris Hunt. Co-promoter Len Silver has seen it all in his 55 years as a promoter and he couldn't conceal his delight at pulling off this coup. Silver remarked "Kent's entry into the Championship gave us an immediate problem in finding a big hitter to lead the team. So, Scott's interest in us came like manna from heaven. There are few riders at Championship, or any, level who enjoy the reputation that is Scott's. He was immensely easy to deal with and quickly demonstrated to myself and Chris [Hunt] that he wanted to be an integral part of the team management as well as our Number One. It is going to be a pleasure working with him and I could not be more delighted". Team Manager Chris Hunt spoke of the incoming Nicholls in similar a vein saying, "I'm so happy to have secured the services of Scotty. Clearly no one in the sport here in the UK has a more impressive racing CV
than Scott." Latest news… 2020 will mark another landmark for the East Londonborn rider who celebrated his 48th birthday recently, as he will be returning to second tier racing – Rob Ledwith made in the region of 150 appearances for Second Division clubs, Rye House, King's Lynn and predominantly his then local side Arena Essex between 1989 and 1995, Co-promoter Len Silver commented, "The next name for our 2020 side I can disclose at present is a rider who will be one of our two reserves in the SGBC and is unquestionably one of most popular Kings of 2019, Rob Ledwith. Rob is picked because of his sheer enthusiasm and dedication and of course it's a return for him to second tier racing." Ledwith is cock-a-hoop to be remaining with the TouchTec Kings at the point of their elevation – with, this time, a number of tracks to visit this coming campaign he'd have raced at in his earlier era of second tier Speedway.
Scott Nicholls receiving the Number 1 race jacket from Chris Hunt. He said "I'm thrilled with my selection for the Kings in the SGBC. It's another fantastic challenge for 2020! My first season for the TouchTec Kings has given me a great foundation for the step up to Championship racing and although I'll be lining up against some fast and very talented opposition, I will start the 2020 season with a good understanding of my equipment/engines etc. and will be race-ready from the get go! I will be working very hard testing over the winter and ensuring I'm fully fit - really can't wait!".
Results and fixtures: Date Opponents Competition
Home/Away Result
Thu 3rd October Fri 4th October Mon 7th October Mon 14th October Wed 16th October Mon 21st October Mon 28th October
Away Away HOME HOME Away HOME HOME
Belle Vue Belle Vue Belle Vue Leicester Leicester Leicester Leicester
National League PO SF National League PO SF National League PO SF National League PO Final National League PO Final National League PO Final National League PO Final
Postponed L43-47 W53-36 Postponed L31-59 Postponed L43-47
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The Sporting
MOTORCYCLIST
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