The Sporting
T S I L C Y C R O T MO
..published monthly
orting motorcycling
News for social and sp
March 2021
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
Printed by
Anmar Printing Services, Edenbridge, Kent
MARCH 2021 VOL. 21 ISSUE 3 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: Edward Kennett Photo by: Andy Withers
FROM THE EDITOR'S CHAIR n By Bob Twigg
It was nice to see Jim Connor’s article in the February issue. He has several good events planned for the Spring and Summer at Hook Woods. Round one of the British solo trial championship was planned for Saturday 27th March but now moved to May, Covid restrictions will hopefully be relaxed by then, let's hope. Only one person would be allowed to accompany a competitor with the present rules , no spectators, but observers will be needed, so if you feel you can, contact Jim on 01483 285727, or at jimconnor1045@yahoo.com. On Saturday 27th of July the club will be running a round of the British Ladies and Girls Championships. Let's hope that by then spectators will be allowed, a fine chance to see the countries best male and female riders at their best (Am I allowed to say "male and female" riders, what will the woke brigade think!) Well done Jim and all your workers, let's hope for better times later this year. John Bramall's article on the effectiveness of TSM reminded me of a remark by Andy Wood some while ago, he said the cost of paying for TSM over the year 2nd class, was the same as paying for a half pint of beer once a month! I had a good joke sent to me the other day regarding reading from books or magazines. There was a picture of boys looking at a book on the ground, poking it with sticks and wondering what it was! Another joke showed a boy asking his Mum where the batteries went and how do you turn the pages? I don't suppose that will encourage many to sign up for TSM, but we will be pleased if you do! The late Nik Fisk was an editor of the South Midland Review for some time, he had a brilliant sense of humour which came out well in his Ed's comments, RIP Nik! It is very sad to see reports of riders deaths in TMX. Manuel Soler who I remember seeing in the 1975/1976 SSDT's. Badger Goss, Joel Robert and the American motocrosser Mike Bell all left us along with Royal Enfield ace Peter Fletcher from the trials world. The South Midland centre have lost a few folk too, a very, very sad time for folks to go, again RIP all. Andy Wood writes… It is good to see things looking up following the latest announcement on easing lockdown restrictions at the end of last month. In this issue we are pleased to include regulations for events planned for next month that will confidently go ahead. Looking further into the year, if improvements continue, then it may be possible for events to allow spectators to attend. For the moment though keep obeying the rules and a brighter future lays ahead. Contributions in this issue: Neil Emmott, Mike Wiseman, Dave Blanchard, Bob Twigg, John Bramall, Jim Connor, Andy Wood, Terry Golds, Tom Grimshaw, Lionel Cox, Alan Turner, Alan Critcher Would you like to contribute? Please send to the editor, contact details on page 3.
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Centres Officials
O N T E NTS
Chairmen
The Prime Minister has Announced the Government’s Roadmap to Cautiously Ease Lockdown Restrictions In England 5 Colin Moram
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Revised Date For The Round One ACU Trial GB 7
South Eastern: Steve Moore Tel: 01483 486320 Southern: Bob Hewson Tel: 023 9259 2919
Secretaries South Eastern: ACU Main Office Tel: 01788 566400 admin@acu.org.uk 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
Tom's Racing Journal
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MCC Overnight Trials
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Double Five Kent Dates
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Permit Secretaries
Sittingbourne Trial Date Change
12
South Eastern: ACU Main Office Tel: 01788 566400 admin@acu.org.uk
News from Kent Speedway
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South Midland: Ian Reynolds Tel: 0208 9079856 Mobile: 07803766314 186 Regal Way, Harrow Middlesex, HA3 0SQ email: reynolds.russell@virgin.net
History of Hookwood Trials Centre, Surrey (Part 1) 17 The Rebirth and Metamorphosis of 2 Rusty Wheels and a Frame (Part 1) 18 Masters Qualifier / Clubmans New Date 22 Will Silence Be Golden?
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Waltham Chase MCC News - February 2021 25 Ladies Speedway Day 2021
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Southern: Claire Ballard Tel: 0118 343 3346 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
Regulations Trials
Sidcup, 4th April Sidcup, 5th April Sidcup, 18th April Tenterden, 18th April Waltham Chase, 11th April Waltham Chase, 18th April
South Midland: Chris Hurworth Tel: 01494 446198 23 Cambridge Crescent, Totteridge, High Wycombe, HP13 7NE
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Southern: Martin Down Tel: 01264 365084 18 Barcelona Close, Andover, Hampshire, SP10 1JQ. email: martin.down1@gmail.com
The Prime Minister has Announced the Government’s Roadmap to Cautiously Ease Lockdown Restrictions In England In a statement to parliament on Monday 22nd February he paid tribute to the extraordinary success of the UK's vaccination programme and the resolve of the British public in following the lockdown restrictions, which has helped to cut infection rates and reduce the spread of the virus. The roadmap outlines four steps for easing restrictions. Before proceeding to the next step, the Prime Minister was clear that the decision on each stage will be based on data, not dates and government will move cautiously to keep infection rates under control. This assessment will be based on four tests: • The vaccine deployment programme continues successfully. • Evidence shows vaccines are sufficiently effective in reducing hospitalisations and deaths in those vaccinated. • Infection rates do not risk a surge in hospitalisations which would put unsustainable pressure on the NHS. • The assessment of the risks is not fundamentally changed by new Variants of Concern. So, for motorcycle sport; from 29th March formally organised outdoor sports – for adults and under 18's - can also restart and will not be subject to the gatherings limits but should be compliant with guidance issued by national governing bodies. Events will be restricted to one day events only. Self-contained accommodation will not be permitted until at least 12th April which is Step 2 of the Roadmap. Domestic overnight stays in hotels etc will not be permitted until
at least 17th May. No spectators at sporting events to be allowed until after 17th May. Clubs should now apply to ACU Head Office for permits to run organised events from 1st April. Organisers are reminded that a Covid-19 risk assessment should accompany the Permit Application and supplementary regulations and are reminded of the requirement to consult with their Local Authorities and local police force. Updated risk assessments for guidance will be disseminated shortly by ACU Head Office to all Centres and Clubs. Chairman Roy Humphrey commented, "I think we were all aware of the main points the Prime Minister was going to announce given the media coverage and speculation over the weekend. It is really pleasing that organised outdoor sports can commence from 29th March, albeit without spectators until 17th May. We are not out of the woods by a long way and I ask that everyone continues to abide by the UK Government advice and guidance. With the outstanding commitment and work of the NHS and everyone who has volunteered to assist with the vaccine programme, there is light at the end of the tunnel". It should also be noted that the roadmap outlined above is specific to England. Wales and Scotland should follow the advice issued by their devolved governments which is expected in the coming days. The Isle of Man and other crown dependencies should follow the advice issued by their local administrations. Further updates will be distributed in accordance with UK Government Advice/ Guidance.
Notice to all clubs, please send us details of your future events this year. Would you like to contribute? Please send to the editor, contact details on page 3.
Take part in discussions about motorsport in your centre and post reports for publication. facebook.com/thesportingmotorcyclist 5
Tom's Racing Journal Q By Tom Grimshaw 2020 was my first season racing for Chambers Racing on a Husqvarna FC250. Given how difficult the year was I still managed a few races ,starting with Hawkstone International, British & Dutch GPs where I competed in the MX2 class. Steep learning curve is all I can say about that. Then we went into Covid lockdown which was not ideal I know but it was the same for everyone. To keep my fitness up I cycled a lot which was very enjoyable as the weather was good. Dad took the opportunity to finish his refurbishment of a Yamaha YZ250 1996 model which came out really nice. Once the restrictions were lifted, I started riding again and was able to take part in the MX Nationals held over four rounds. It was great to be back riding & racing again and collected 5th overall in the MX2 class. I was fighting for a top three overall championship position however I DNF a race at Fat Cats which relegated me down in the order. Funny as Dad I were talking about how reliable the bikes had been going to Fat Cats. I decided not to compete in the revised MXGP schedule as it meant staying at one venue for three races having multiple covid test which would have calculated about £800.00 for Dad 8
and myself per one venue format (Ouch). This was not practical, and Dad still had to go to work. This schedule only benefitted the full factory teams, however there were still several other race meetings I took part in which netted me some solid results. We did manage to take part in the penultimate MXGP round at Lommel in October. It was tough but great fun. We put the bikes away and got the trials bikes out for a bit of practicing down at Nash Mill. This again was a good laugh, but this too got locked down as we went into another national lock down.
2021 season I will be competing in EMX250 class at the Grand Prix's, with the option of a few MX2 races if the chance arises. We made this decision because I need to mature more into this class. British Championship and MX
Letter
Re: The Future of TSM
Nationals will be the other two championship I will compete in, but who knows when it will all start. All I can do is keep to my training schedule up and build on my fitness so I will be ready when it does get announced.
Do you have a comment to make about motorcycling matters? Send your comments to the Editor. Contact details on page 3.
In the February issue John Bramall posed some questions about TSM. Its main make up until recently was the printing of event regulations. Since covid, this way of doing things is now direct and online by passing the need for this. This is something when the world is back to normal that will stay the same I think. Last summer, in the car racing world, the few meetings that ran, all competitors, marshals and scrutineers signed on online before race day. So on the day all paperwork was done and everyone knew what they were doing. As someone put it to me at one meeting, Why didn't we think of this before. But we must remember, not everyone has the internet or an iPhone, for them the printed word is everything. This is where TSM is tops.
Each year TSM prints event fixtures for the Centres. John Bramall keeps us up to date with various events including the Sammy Miller Museum and we get ACU notices. Where else do you find out about Grass Track and Speedway, events at Canada Heights and so on. So where does this leave TSM as a monthly bike magazine? It has at the moment some excellent stories filling its pages, can we sustain that? Everyone who puts TSM together does an excellent job but more input is always helpful. Given the area and people it covers there can't be a shortage of people who have a story to tell. So do your bit and put pen to paper, it's easier than you think. Graham West Midhurst
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The Sporting
MOTORCYCLIST
A monthly publication written by enthusiasts for enthusiasts
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