The Sporting
T S I L C Y C R O T MO
..published monthly
orting motorcycling
News for social and sp
May 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
MAY 2021 VOL. 21 ISSUE 5 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 n By Andy Wood
It was pleasing to see that a number of successful events took place around the Easter period with more appearing during the following weeks of last month. Speed events are also beginning to appear on the calendar and as we head towards the summer months spectators will also get a chance to go along to see some of the action. The social element plays an important part in all motorcycling activity and this was certainly in evidence in the events in which I have been involved in as part of the organising team recently. The rush to enter events, with entry limits being speedily reached must also be very pleasing for organisers too; hopefully this will encourage others to have the confidence plan their events that appeared on the fixture lists at the beginning of the year. Do please let us know what you are planning to do so that we can publicise the details in the pages of this publication, riders, spectators and helpers too need to know! Some clubs have taken this onboard and you will see details of what they have planned in the pages of this issue, if you can manage to get along to see what it’s all about then I am sure your presence will be much appreciated. Is live streaming going to become a regular feature of high profile events in the near future? Using developments in technology to further develop another area of potential income is nothing new, but what are the long term effects likely to be for all levels? For a number of years the motor racing world has had its ‘armchair enthusiasts’ avidly following the fortunes of the participants in the formula one world championship. Are they the sort of people you would find attending race meetings of a lower level around the circuits in the country though? A grass track racing event run last month offered this feature with good reason, in that spectators were not allowed to attend. Spectators could even purchase a programme beforehand so they could follow the event and write in the results. Surely the next best thing to being there standing next to the ropes, the only thing missing perhaps sharing a conversation and enjoyment of the racing with the other spectators next to you. Your thoughts anyone? Contributions in this issue: Alan Turner, John Bramall, Jim Connor, Mike Wiseman, Michael Murdoch, Mike Day, Lionel Cox, Dave Jordan, Andrew Baker, Andy Withers, Robert Ferris, Luke Russell, Roger Brown Would you like to contribute? Please send to the editor, contact details on page 3.
Cover Photo: Jack Dance Photo by: John Hulme of Trial Magazine
Post reports about what is happening with motorsport in your centre.
facebook.com/thesportingmotorcyclist 3
C
Centres Officials
O N T E NTS
XHG Tiger MCC - Restart Trial
Chairmen 5
South Eastern: Steve Moore Tel: 01483 486320 Southern: Bob Hewson Tel: 023 9259 2919
Centre Championship - Date Change 5 Francis Family Trial - Waltham Chase Trials Club 6 Sidcup's Egg-Cup - Jack Thompson Classic Bike Trial 10 Costello And Cooke Team Up For Sidecar Success
13
The Robbie Returns - North East London MCC
15
N.K.T.C. Club Members
17
History of Hookwood Trials Centre (Part 3) 18
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
Permit Secretaries South Eastern: ACU Main Office Tel: 01788 566400 admin@acu.org.uk South Midland: Ian Reynolds Tel: 0208 9079856 Mobile: 07803766314 186 Regal Way, Harrow Middlesex, HA3 0SQ email: reynolds.russell@virgin.net
Timber Woods LDT
20
Illegal Riding
20
Surrey Schoolboys Trials Club at Trumps Mill
21
Diary Dates
23
Benevolent Fund Representatives
The Easter Egg Trial
24
South Midland: Dave Porter Tel: 01582 651189 22 Belper Road, Luton, Beds, LU4 8RG
Barnet Trial
25
Southern: Terry Graves Tel: 02380 643503 13 Locksley Road, Eastleigh, Hampshire, SO50 5DX
Fifty Years A Friend - My BSA Bantam B 175 28 Grasstrack Banter Promotions kick off the 2021 Grasstrack Season with "Bantasia 1" 33 The Scottish 6 Days Trial
36
Trials and Fitness
37
Southern: Claire Ballard Tel: 0118 343 3346 26 Droxford Crescent, Tadley, Hampshire, RG26 3BA email: ballardclaire@hotmail.com
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
Regulations Trials
OWLS, 9th May Waltham Chase, 27th June Waltham Chase, 4th July
Southern: Martin Down Tel: 01264 365084 18 Barcelona Close, Andover, Hampshire, SP10 1JQ. email: martin.down1@gmail.com
12 27 31
XHG Tiger MCC - Restart Trial Selby Trials Park, Corfe Mullen, Dorset
Top Guys! The Tiger's pounced back to events after lockdown with their Restart Trial, held on Good Friday at their Selby's Trials Park venue in perfect sunshine. Enduro hotshot Dan Guy made an impressive return to trials riding, topping a strong expert class. Not to be outshone, his Dad Geoff Guy topped the Sportsman class mounted on his trusty Ossa Mar. Mark Hebditch showed no signs of a layoff, having an outstanding ride to win the Clubman class. He finished with equal dabs as skilled BSA man Charlie Tindle but one more clean hopped him into first place. Tight final scores separated the top three in the Sportsman class, Geoff Guy narrowly taking the win on 2 marks dropped with Neil Marsh on 5 and Colin Bowdidge with 6.
In the Novice class two senior Titan's of the rough stuff John Foot and Mike Hann kept their focus and had not dropped a single mark until the final lap. Earning a late five, John handed the win to Mike who remained clean throughout. Riding has proved an effective way to stay fit for them, both celebrate their 80th birthday soon! Quite a few riders chose to ease themselves back from lockdown and rode unclassified for the practice but they'll be raring to compete at the Home Guard Trial on May 2nd at Alvediston Dorset. XHG Tiger's evening trial series gets underway on Wednesday 12th May with round 1 of a 6 round championship, entry is now open for all rounds on the ACU events web page.
Centre Championship - Date Change
Q By Mike Wiseman As a result of venue availability issues the Waltham Chase Keith
Marshall Twin Shock and Pre65 Trial round of the Centre Championship will be held on the 4th July instead of the 11th July.
The event will "open" on the 5th May at 8.00pm on the ACU booking portal. Regulations are in this issue on page 31. 5
Grasstrack Banter Promotions kick off the 2021 Grasstrack Season with "Bantasia 1" Q By Luke Russell Photos by Tracy Habgood/Dogsbody Photography
The 350cc solos, run over 4 point scoring legs turned into a battle between Jamie FennSmith and Wayne Broadhurst. Fenn-Smith Grasstrack Banter Promotions held their first riding one his best ever meetings, took the Bantasia 1 title with 3 wins from 4 rides. ever meeting - Bantasia 1 - and the first of The 500cc Solos had a number of stars the 2021 grasstrack season on Sunday 18th take to the line, including multi-masters and April 2021. A bumper entry and races that saw several British and European champions European champion James Shanes, speedway riders Edward Kennett and James Wright, and take to the track in what was a fantastic Alfie Bowtell making his grasstrack debut. meeting. In the final Shanes made the gate and won With track prep carried out extensively in the comfortably ahead of Kennett and Wright. weeks leading up to the event, the track held out and provided a great surface for all 68 races. Charley Powell held off Stephen Green and the hard battling Bowtell to take 4th place. Whilst the meeting itself was behind In the Right Hand Sidecars multi-masters closed doors without spectators, well over 600 people tuned in to the live stream Continued overleaf which can still be accessed via the Grasstrack Banter Promotions Facebook page. The racing itself was fast and furious, with all classes providing entertainment throughout the day. The 250cc solo class had a number of meeting winners and included former British champion Graeme Thomas. However, it was youngster Cameron Taylor in his first adult grasstrack, who won a fantastic A final battling all the way with Luke Harris and Graeme Thomas. All three swapped places and led through the race but it was Taylor who triumphed in this his first adult meeting after moving up from the Inters. 33
champion Mark Cossar with passenger Gareth Williams started off the meeting as favourites and they started off that way with 3 straight wins. Joining them in the final was Mark's brother Tom with stand-in passenger Dillon Newton who also won all 3 of their qualifying heats. Matt Fumarola reunited with former passenger also started the day well winning 2 of their 3 legs. Joining them in the final was Joe Sturtridge and Shaun Hoskin who won their opening race of the day and they were joined by a pair of Masters Champions in Paul Whitelam/Richard Webb and Rob Wilson/ Terry Saunters. In the final however Mark made a terrific start to lead home brother Tom in a Cossar 1-2. Wilson/Saunters followed ahead of Fumarola/Wilson who lifted off the line and was too far back to made a dent. Upright solos were dominated by the former Speedway rider Jason Prynne - winning all 3 of his heats going on to win the A final over Darren Phillips and Bob Dolman. The 500cc Sidecars run over 4 legs was won by Vice-European Champion Mitch Godden/Paul Smith. Josh Goodwin/Liam Brown finished 2nd in the opening heat and then 3rd in heats 2 and 3. An injury to Josh meant he couldn't contest the final heat and they ended third behind the ever improving James Hartley/Shay Minihane. Shaun Hughes/Louis Bennett borrowed Josh's outfit for the final leg finishing 4th overall ahead of new crew Rich Wenham/Sean Cawley and lady driver Rachel Cox/Scott Gutteridge. In the Old & New Sidecars, Mark Courtney and Leon Torres took the spoils with 3 wins, but were pushed all the way by Liam Brown and Frankie Courtney who also took a heat win with boths crews battling across all 4 races. Dillon Newton and Willow Jeffrey took 3rd place overall. The GT140s were dominated by former 250 British Champion Adam Shipp who was absolutely flying aboard his machine. However, the big story was with Former Masters Champion Lewis Denham, making his first grasstrack appearance in years and looked like he had lost none of his speed with a well earned 2nd place in the A final. Steve Newsham battled his way to 3rd in a competitive class. Chris Mackett looked set to trouble the top 3, 34
but a fall on the first corner meant he was too far back to get back to the podium places. The Youth riders also appeared at Bantasia 1 Archie Whitelam winning the Auto-Cadet class, ahead of Brayden Blyth, Albie Collier and Stasiu Stevens. Finley Theobald won the Cadet Class. The Juniors was won by Cooper Rushen, however in his opening ride he made it difficult for himself when he selected neutral off the line, but his determination to get through the pack shone through and won all 4 of his rides. Archie Rolph was 2nd after moving up from the Cadets, with Zak Batey in 3rd. The Inter Class was dominated by World Champion Max Perry who was flying around the Whaddon Farm venue claiming all 4 wins. Kenzie Cossey finished 2nd with four 2nd places and 3rd was Austin Riches. After a mammoth day all 68 races were completed with only a few incidents, and some fantastic racing was had by all, especially the 250cc Solo A Final. The club would like to thank all Marshals, Officials, the many sponsors we had, and Landowners Brian and Joan Lush for their fantastic support in helping stage Bantasia 1. Roll on Bantasia 2 - follow the club on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and at grasstrackbanter.com.
Tenterden & District Motorcycle Club
Wartime to Lockdown Celebrating 75 years
7th & 8th August 2021 Both days over the weekend of August 7th and 8th the club will be holding a display of its history and machines of interest in motorcycle sport through the eras, at the Tenterden Town Museum. The Museum is situated just off the High Street, Tenterden and anyone who has an interest is welcome to attend the event. On the Sunday, as is the tradition on any milestone occasion, the club will hold a single route trial on nearby land in Tenterden. It is thought that this land was first used by the club on its formation, something the club is extremely fortunate and proud of, and which is still in the same family ownership. The trial will be open to club members, EKTC members and invited guests. It is also hoped to have available a publication depicting the clubs history, members and characters. Organising contact: Roy Francis Email royfrancis9070@gmail.com Phone 01622 745393/0770 8437770 Guess the names of all the riders A prize will be awarded for the correct answer. All answers to be sent to me at my email address before Thursday 5th August. The winner will be announced at the celebrations on Sat 7th August at the Tenterden Museum. In the event of more than one winner, a draw will take place.
The Sporting
MOTORCYCLIST
A monthly publication written by enthusiasts for enthusiasts
Subscription Form
Would you like to receive The Sporting Motorcyclist? Please complete your relevant details below or we can email you a subs form, address below. Simply fill in this form and return by post with either a cheque (made payable to “The Sporting Motorcyclist”) or pay via bank transfer, using the payment reference of "your name TSM" (HSBC Bank Sort code: 40-20-35 Account Number: 91051687):
Andy Wood, 30 Westways, Edenbridge, Kent TN8 6AA Choose your subscription (NEW RATES from January 2021) : 2nd class post
Please tick
12 issues - £26 • • • •
1st class post
Please tick
12 issues - £30
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 Action photos
• • • •
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?
Name: .......................................................................................................... Address: ...................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................... ..................................................... Postcode: .............................................. Tel. No.......................................... Email:.................................................... Please contact us immediately if your details change.
Please complete the following for our records (Delete non-applicable) 1) Are you a competitor / non competitor ? 2) Motorcycle Club: _______________________________ 3) Interest(s): Trials / Motocross / Grasstrack / Speedway / Enduro / Roadracing / Sprint / Hillclimb / Roadriding Your details are only used by The Sporting Motorcyclist for administration purposes, they are not shared with any third party and are held securely in line with the Data Protection Act 1998. This form is valid from January to December 2021
Form generated for May 2021 issue
Send membership queries to: anmarprintingservices@gmail.com
AWSPORTSPHOTO - Motorcycle Sport Photography and Journalism Photos from 2015 - 2020 - including those seen in The Sporting Motorcyclist, Classic Bike, Classic Trials Magazine, The Classic Motorcycle, Classic Dirtbike Magazine, 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 for you to look at either on Facebook or emailed to you. Photos are available as digital images, high resolution for printing, low resolution for social media. Prints are available from 6x4 up to large poster size depending on the quality of the image. Montage Prints, Canvases, Photobooks etc are all available. If you have won an event or a championship why not have a special print watermarked with your name and achievement. Digital images and print prices are on Facebook or email/ message for prices for regular or one off projects. I write regularly for The Sporting Motorcyclist, Motorcycle Sport newspapers and magazines, if you have a project, unusual motorcycle or event that you want photographed and written about make contact. Contact can be made through email to awsportsphoto@gmail.com, by message on facebook awsportsphoto or by phone 07445251429