SIDECAR STRONG START

Intermediates

Four strong crews contested the intermediates, with local riders Darryl/Hannah Dale and Elliott Tickner/Matthew Price both going clean for the first lap. John Corlett/Harry Gell and Ryan Eamer/Claire Tooth lost single ‘fives’, both going too hard into ditches and not getting out the other side.

On lap two, the Dales took a single dab over some roots on section six, whilst Tickner/Price got the sidecar wheel jammed in the roots for a five. The Dales lost their way on the final section for a five, but a total of six took the win as Tickner/Price took second, although they had the worst lap of the four. Hamer/Tooth and Corlett/Gell lost out on the chance of second, with fives over the logs on the last section.

RESULTS: 1: Darryl/Hannah Dale (GASGAS) 6; 2: Elliott Tickner/ Matthew Price (TRRS) 18; 3: Ryan Eamer/Claire Tooth (TRRS) 19; 4: John Corlett/Harry Gell (GASGAS) 21.

Clubmen

Paul/Keith Fishlock topped the popular 13-strong entry clubman class. They stayed clean until section 13 on lap two when selecting third gear for a steep climb, and the outfit went up on the back wheel for their only loss. Karl Jarvis/ Bob Chapman matched the Fishlocks on lap one but lost 12, including a five, on the same section for second. Richard Murphy/ Adam Charman and Adam/Harvey Allaway had expensive first laps but shared an impressive second-lap score of one.

RESULTS: 1: Paul/Keith Fishlock (Beta) 5; 2: Karl Jarvis/Bob Chapman (Vertigo) 12; 3: Richard Murphy/Adam Charman (GASAGAS) 19; 4: Adam/Harvey Allaway (Scorpa) 21; 5: Robbie/Stanley Head (Sherco) 23; 6: Neil Hannam/Debbie Smith (Honda) 30; 7: Vincent Brett/Jana Grossman (Beta) 32; 8: Chris/Anna Newsham (GASGAS) 41; 9: Darren/Oliver Lulham (TRRS) 42; 10: Paul Randall/Harry Martin (GASGAS) 47; 11: Josh Dando/Bethany Batty (Beta) 48; 12: Peter Dale/Aiden Bowker (SWM) 58; 13: Luke Reynolds/Woody WiseReynolds (Montesa) 61.

Beginners

Three new teams entered the newcomer class. Richard Tickner, with daughter Katy in the chair, rode superbly, taking advantage of a lighter passenger and losing just 16, although they were debating a couple of the fives. Local riders Toby Smith/Hannah Moore finished nine marks back.

RESULTS: 1: Richard/Katy Tickner (TRRS) 16; 2: Toby Smith/Hannah Moore (Montesa) 25; 3: Stuart Riches/Sophie Hall (Vertigo) 41.

ACU RULE CHANGE: MINIMUM AGE OF 12 FOR PASSENGERS

Two teams took advantage of the ACU rule change for 2023 to allow sidecar passengers of 12 years upwards to compete in the ACU British Championship. Two 13-year-olds were in the chairs: Stanley Head with his dad, Robbie, and Katy Tickner with her dad, Richard. The clarity of the instructions from the riders and the precision of the response by the youngsters meant both teams had a very successful day, with Robbie/Stanley fifth in a big clubman field and Richard/ Katy winning top newcomers.

There is a temptation to take advantage of the lightness of the passengers, Richard in particular, balancing the outfit on two wheels to good effect to clean sections, including jumping ditches, which Katy took in her stride. However, some of the best crews do this as a matter of course. On this evidence, the ACU rule change has already brought two potentially top-quality passengers into the sport.

The 2023 Acu Trrs Uk Sidecar Championship

With the series starting in March, these are the following dates and venues: 23rd April, South Birmingham, DK Mansell; 20th May, West of England; 21st May, BSSA, Tuck Cross; 25th June, Yeadon and Guiseley, Mel Harrison Trophy Trial; and 3rd September at Non-Stop Trials Centre in Wales.