Loch Lomond Motorcycling Club
Dan Stewart Memorial Two Day Trial 2011 (28th and 29th May 2011)
Dan and Gary’s Battle of Loch Lomond
Long time regulars at the Loch Lomond 2-Day Trial, Hillsborough’s Dan Thorpe and Lochaber’s
Gary MacDonald were again locked in a titanic battle for the Premier slot at the Dan Stewart
Memorial 2-Day Trial. Dan won by the narrowest possible of margins to beat Gary by claiming a
total of 79 cleans over Gary’s 78 cleans over the two days. Each lost 9 marks on the Saturday
and 5 marks on Sunday, with the tie breaker being determined on a highest number of cleans
basis.
The organisers had stuck to the tried and tested route similar to last year of a single lap 40 mile
run with 37 sections on Saturday and the usual 2-lap 25 section course on Sunday of 24 miles.
The weather always plays a big part in the trial with tough, boggy moor crossings sapping the
energy of many competitors. The burn sections, however, in fair condition, some of which had
deep water from the prolonged heavy and wintry showers. High wind and hail on the hill tops
contributed to the testing conditions for many of the riders.
Dan and Gary were on top form as they each lost their first mark on section number 20 at Glenna-
Caorrin, with further marks being lost at the usual very tough sections at Mulea Plantation by
both riders. Dan cleaned Last Gasp with Gary having a single dab on the large and slippery
boulders. The Saturday score was 9 each, however, Dan had 32 cleans with Gary on 31 cleans.
Meanwhile, School-person Robert Waite from Darlington was having a good ride by completing
Saturday with a loss of just 11 marks.
The riders found the weather conditions fairly tough on the hills with the heavy and wintry
showers and the high water levels in the burns
Conditions improved for the 2-lap Sunday, and again Gary and Dan were virtually inseparable. At
the end of the first lap Gary was on 4 to Dans 5, however, the second lap score for Gary was 1
with Dan cleaning the entire second lap, to leave each with 5 marks lost.
Final score was 14 each for Gary and Dan to be decided by the highest number of cleans.
While Dan and Gary were battling it out for the top slot, Guisborough rider Guy Kendrew was
not far behind in third place with a total loss of 27 marks over the 2 days.
Ian Hopley finished in 9th place overall and picked up the Best Over-40 award.
Killin rider Andrew Anderson had steady ride to lose 61 marks in total and pick up the Geordie
Shaw Trophy for the Best Scottish Rider and finish in a creditable 11th place overall.
The Loch Lomond Club again applied a time limit on each day of the event to keep the Trial
moving along, however, this was never an issue, and everybody finished well within the specified
time allowance.
Dan won the Premier Award again, by the narrowest of margins of 79 cleans to Garys 78 cleans.
Overall Provisional Results:-
Premier Award:-Dan Thorpe:-14 marks (79 Cleans)
Runner-up:-Gary MacDonald:-14 marks (78 Cleans)
Best Over 40:- Ian Hopley:-60 marks
Best School-person:-Robert Waite:-39 marks
Best SACU:-Andrew Anderson:-61 marks
1st Class Awards to:-
Guy Kendrew:- 27 marks
James Johnson:- 44 marks
Billy Bolt:- 52 marks
Simon Kershaw:- 53 marks
James Carr:- 54 marks
Carl Hollis:- 60 marks
Andrew Anderson:- 61 marks
Jack Stones:- 61 marks
John Battensby:- 66 marks
Anthony Ayrton:- 68 marks
Matthew Maynard:- 72 marks
Ben Robinson:- 75 marks
Gavin Black:- 75 marks
The Loch Lomond Motorcycling Club would like to thank all the volunteers and helpers from
may other Clubs for their assistance and help over the weekend, without which the event could
not be run. They are from Scarborough, Bristol, Perth, Pontefract, Dalmellington and
Lanarkshire areas. Big thanks to all the helpers.
Ian Middleton
Event Secretary
Loch Lomond Motor Cycling Club
30-05-2011
Fileset 2373
