The Sporting
T S I L C Y C R O T MO
..published monthly
orting motorcycling
News for social and sp
July 2020
Enduro, Grasstrack, Motocross, Road Racing, ing,, 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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Anmar Printing Services, Edenbridge, Kent
JULY 2020 VOL. 20 ISSUE 7 PUBLISHED ON THE 1ST OF EACH MONTH
All material for TSM should reach the editor by the tenth day of the month preceding publication.
FROM THE EDITOR'S CHAIR ď Ž By Andy Wood
As we all await the next message from the government, there are green shoots appearing, as more clubs work their way round the regulations imposed to keep people safe. Practice trials are on the increase as more and more clubs dip a toe in the water to satisfy their members need to ride their bikes. Slowly the restrictions are being widened to include selected other groups as well. Motocross riders have also been able to use practice tracks and now clubs with access to suitable venues are also offering a facility to their members. Track racing practice events have also started to appear with a couple of events held at Iwade eagerly fully subscribed. A grass track practice opportunity is also being offered on the 11th of this month run by GW Racing but obviously entries will be limited. Also mentioned by the organisers is the possibility of a meeting by the end of August. However, the recent announcement that the British Masters Final scheduled for September 13th has been cancelled, seems to confirm the fact that several organisers are not prepared to take the risk to run high profile events. Racing events require more help to organise plus the fact that they attract spectators, a necessity for their survival and until it is safe to do so there is unlikely to be racing for the foreseeable future. At a time when the Government suggests that other forms of transport are considered motorcyclists already know that they have the best choice. A joint promotion recently launched by the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) working with manufacturers, motorcycle publications and industry specialists is highlighting reasons why using a motorcycle or scooter is a positive alternative for isolated safe travel. The website UnlockYourFreedom.co.uk offers advice to those considering the choice of two wheeled travel as an alternative. Also suggested by the industry is that all motorcyclists encourage their friends and family members to think about getting on two-wheels. It is pleasing to note that the ACU has also registered interest in this which with careful promotion can lead to positive benefits to motorcycling all round. Contributions in this issue: Viv Brackett, Andy Withers, Alan Turner, OWLS MC, Mike Wiseman, Nigel Cooper, Neil Emmott, Richard Dowland, Brian Edwards, Barham MCC. Would you like to contribute? Please send to the editor, contact details on page 3.
Cover Photo: Drew Kemp Photo by: Geoff Young
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Centres Officials
O N T E NTS
Chairmen
Kent Kings Speedway
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Club Profile - Waltham Chase Motorcycle Trials Club
6
Jim Laurie Trophy
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Lockdown Entertainment
11
"The Wazygoose"
15
Covid-19 Recovery
16
Trials of an Idiot
18
Centre Championships
20
Rider Profile: Rob Warner
20
Tom Arter (1945 - 2020)
21
Youths Make Their Return
22
Waltham Chase Provide Blueprint for Practice Trials 24 Leading The Way
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A Brief History of the Owls Motor Club and Brands Hatch
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Camping Carry On
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What Came First? That Chicken and Egg Thing 27 Sammy Miller Museum News
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South Eastern: Roger Brown Tel: 01273 563931 Southern: Bob Hewson Tel: 023 9259 2919
Secretaries South Eastern: Peter Burrell Tel: 020 8300 5572 40 Annandale Road, Sidcup, Kent, DA15 8EL email: pj.burrell@btintternet.com South Midland: Terry Golds Tel: 01582 455714 Mobile: 07747 855264 21 Buckingham Drive, Stopsley, Luton, Beds, LU2 9RA email: terrylgolds@ntlworld.com Southern: Chris Fletcher Tel: 01256 242214 1 Fairclose, Whitchurch, Hampshire, RG28 7AN email: chris-fletcher@tiscali.co.uk
Permit Secretaries South Eastern: Inquiries to Peter Burrell South Midland: Ian Reynolds Tel: 0208 9079856 Mobile: 07803766314 186 Regal Way, Harrow Middlesex, HA3 0SQ email: reynolds.russell@virgin.net Southern: Claire Ballard Tel: 0118 981 2595 26 Droxford Crescent, Tadley, Hampshire, RG26 3BA email: ballardclaire@hotmail.com
Benevolent Fund Representatives South Midland: Dave Porter Tel: 01582 651189 22 Belper Road, Luton, Beds, LU4 8RG Southern: Terry Graves Tel: 02380 643503 13 Locksley Road, Eastleigh, Hampshire, SO50 5DX South Eastern: Hazel Collins Tel: 01189 421534 14 Brookside, Calcot, West Berks, RG31 7PJ
Rights of Way Officers South Eastern (Sussex): Bevis Billingham Tel: 01243 585128 182 Elmer Road, Middleton on Sea, Bognor Regis, PO22 6JA South Eastern (Kent): Steve Neville Tel: 01797 458939 26 Donsmead Drive, Northiam, TN31 6EQ South Midland: Chris Hurworth Tel: 01494 446198 23 Cambridge Crescent, Totteridge, High Wycombe, HP13 7NE Southern: Martin Down Tel: 01264 365084 18 Barcelona Close, Andover, Hampshire, SP10 1JQ. email: martin.down1@gmail.com
Regulations Trials
Double Five Kent, 12th July
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Kent Kings Speedway ď Ž By Neil Emmott BIG news for Kent Kings' Championship side is that race day from now on will be TUESDAYS (6.30pm - 8.30pm)....NOT Wednesdays, when speedway among all other forms of motorcycle sport can return. When Kent Kings first applied to join the Championship, the first choice for their race night was Tuesday to give the Kent side sole use of that day. However they were told by the SCB that Tuesday was "Swedish" day and had to settle for Wednesdays, even though three other clubs in the South also race on a Tuesday night. Then along came the Coronavirus and the closure of the sport for many months. Kent
Speedway co-promotor Len Silver did some investigating and discovered that no Swedish riders were intending to race in the Championship this year; and with air fares, plus the virus situation in Sweden making it almost impossible for them to race at UK Championship level in the future, "Swedish day" looked a whole lot different. Therefore it is Tuesday nights from now on as it is so important for the Kent Kings to race on a day that they can use each and EVERY week. Bank Holiday Monday race days will remain unchanged and will stage the Kent Royals National League matches (There will be no race night on a Tuesday following a Bank Holiday).
FOR SALE 2007 GasGas TXT Pro 125cc (red and black) ÂŁ1850, good condition and regularly serviced, reason for selling upgrading. Contact: 07913907960 Maxmulley@icloud.com 5
several new youth riders and a host of regulars totalling thirty six altogether. The Harrow Wood Farm site has plenty of space so social distancing when parking and riding was not an issue which could be a problem with a tighter venue. The biggest challenge for riders is in general conversation as the social natural of trials promotes discussions in groups and looking at each others bikes in admiration or to solve problems and to share a cup of coffee. In some cases this was the first catch up after three months. Many machines were superbly turned out as the polish manufactures benefitted from the Covid Lockdown. One challenge for riders with the "free reign" approach is not
Youths Make Their Return ď Ž By Andy Withers Photos by Awsportsphoto With permission granted by the ACU to issue permits for youth and adult rider trials Waterside JMCC piloted the "Full Monty" practice session with all age groups. Using the blueprints for practice trials from local neighbours Waltham Chase Waterside ran a highly successful practice trial at Harrow Wood Farm at Bransgore in the New Forest. Riders were given free reign to use the man made sections in the lane, the woods and the pit to dust off the cobwebs after three months of off-road "inaction". Waterside welcomed 22
Challenging each other David James and Max Gray
to make the personal challenges too difficult for the individual or those around. Early on in the session a rider fell backwards off of a large obstacle, which three months earlier he would have managed with ease. Caution or guidance is needed but I guess these personal choices are there Covid or not, the intervention by others is the difference now. My natural reaction was to stop photographing and step in to hold the front wheel to stop the machine landing on the rider, social distancing or not! An isolated incident but a note of caution may be needed next time but this was a well run trouble free session. Youth riders were raring to go from four year olds in their first practices, to old hands back on their petrol bikes after a long layoff. Four year old Archie Barwood had his first outing. Six year old Dexter Rowden chased around after Dad Matthew as both got out for the first time in months. Without sections to ride, there were several pairs of lads, dads and daughters trailing around in convoy. David
Jess, Sam and Nick Hosford
Dads and Lads in Convoy Steve and James Goodall James and Max Gray who are relatively new to petrol machines challenged each other without the pressure of losing marks, getting over bigger and bigger logs, Dads having to be reminded that they could not help each other's sons. Youth riders bring their own challenges with their minders on hand to rescue their youngsters if needed. The practice was very well
received with positive comments on social media encouraging Jo Clark and Matt Sleep to run future events. Image of the day was Brian, James and Emily Page all riding Matchless creating an "On Any Sunday" moment riding side by side through a large puddle to create a family portrait, motorcycle style."On Any Sunday" or "On Any Saturday" all riders would be happy to do this again.
Expert Tom Copp - having fun 23
Leading The Way Waltham Chase Provide Blueprint for Practice Trials Using ACU Guidance By Andy Withers Photos by Awsportsphoto
Posting entry forms/fees
After several weeks of painstaking scrutiny of ACU Risk Assessments and advice, fifty excited adult trials riders got their first fix of offroad biking for three months with a superbly run practice trial split over two sessions in the "new normal" trials world. Using the ACU Risk Assessments and formulating supplementary regulations to allow for local conditions Waltham Chase Trials Club hosted the first official ACU practice session at Oakridge Copse near Salisbury and it was deemed to be both a very safe Tig Hartwell
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and a very enjoyable event for all riders. Key measures were put in place:Administration minimised • Online pre entry or personal phone calls for technophobes - no on day entry • Agreed, fixed riding numbers for all club members (Event for club members only) • Signed entry forms posted in a box on the day (for a few days quarantine)
Social distancing • Fees posted in box or transferred online On the day • No spectators or minders • Rider numbers checked against entry list at the gate • Limited entry to allow for social distancing when parking and riding • One way system riding in twos or threes with staggered start • Clear signage to remind about safety measures including social distancing What made it work? The event was well planned to ensure maximum safety, this reassured the riders about their own personal safety and how to ride the event for the safety of others. Having a limited of 30 riders with 15 sections and a good circuit between allowed plenty of space when riding - two sessions were held on the day to meet the needs of the majority of club members. A team of marshalls circulated to check for rider safety. If a rider fell, they did occasionally, after a three month lay off, the "thumbs up" sign indicated the rider was "ok" and it stopped the natural instinct of marshalls and riders to step in and help. The commitment of every rider to enjoy the chance to ride but also to look after the safety of others and themselves
What have we learned? With good preparation the event can run very smoothly, however there were no injuries to contend with on this occasion, emergency service numbers were clearly displayed in case. There is a balance between the number of riders and the space available for car parking and sections. There will be no hesitation to run future practice trials and develop them further as the format works. Is this the way forward? For practice trials this is the way forward although the club will look at increasing the numbers of riders to meet the needs of club members within the restraints of the venue. For competition, with a full complement of observers the format could be used maintaining safety, with PPE and quarantined results sheets. However, with reduced numbers two sessions may be needed or entries will need to be balloted. Want to run a successful practice trial? Waltham Chase would be happy to share the preparatory information and paperwork based on the ACU's comprehensive advice to help other clubs start to ride again. Congratulations to Mike Wiseman and the team for overcoming the paperwork mountain and the organisational issues to provide riders with this great opportunity. Perversely Mike did say he "enjoyed the challenge of making it work", final score Waltham Chase 1 Covid 0. 25
The Sporting
MOTORCYCLIST
A monthly publication written by enthusiasts for enthusiasts
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The Sporting Motorcyclist Contains: Entry forms and regulations for Motocross, Trials, Enduro, Grasstrack events Information on the management of the sport in your centre Previews and reports on events
Official news from the ACU and over 160 clubs in the Southern, South Eastern and South Midland Centres Fixture lists / championship tables Social events Your contributions?
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AWSPORTSPHOTO - Still open for business Make use of the lockdown time - why not look at and order some photos! Photos from 2015 - 2020 - including those seen in The Sporting Motorcyclist, Classic Bike, Classic Trials Magazine, The Classic Motorcycle, Classic Dirtbike, Trials Magazine, Bike and TMX of trials, motocross, enduro etc are posted on awsportsphoto facebook or why not ask for the photos I have of you to be posted as a set, either on facebook or emailed to you. The photo labs remain open for prints and digital images can be sent by email prices are posted on facebook or feel free to message or email for information. Digital images, prints of many sizes including poster prints and canvases, photobooks etc all available - if you have won an event or a championship why not have a special print watermarked with your name and achievement. Contact can be made through email to awsportsphoto@gmail.com, by message on facebook awsportsphoto or by phone 07445251429.