British Youth C&D Finale

Daniel SlackDaniel SlackThe final event in the Luscombe Mitsubishi Leeds ACU Youth C and D Championship took place at Grinton on Sunday against a backdrop of Scott Trial and Reeth Three Day Trial folklore at Cogden Hall and what a fine operation of stage management. The weather was brilliant, the Paul Robinson designed course was very varied and tricky but produced low balanced scores in all five classes. Only three stream sections were utilised and the Grinton Ghyll valley was left out because of the unpredictable water levels.

 

Almost a full house of youngsters entered with some newcomers on the list of forty five starters. The only notable non-entry was Newton Abbot’s Billy Green who mathematically has won Class C standard wheels on his RCM Beta. Fair enough that Billy missed the trial as Devon is long way from Swaledale. New Class D medium wheel winner Jamie Galloway did make the trip from Fife to ride non-competitive in Class C medium wheels. The boy has won six events to head his class and on Sunday he finished second in Class C! The Tartan Army moves up a gear.

 

Whitwick’s new MRS Sherco signing Daniel Slack had to be dragged off his new 125 Sherco, while practicing; to ride his Stuntgod backed Beta 80. His sensational six mark winning ride, with his second and third laps clean, was remarkable..  Said Daniel Slack after the trial “That was my last ride on my 80 Beta. I was really looking forward to another battle with Billy Green to try and beat him. It has been a great championship”

 

Only ten riders contested Class C standard wheels where Fort Williams’s Ben Dignan posted an eight then a ten to close up on Mitch Brightmore but Ben’s three stops on the final lap killed his hopes of a podium. It was, though his best result this year and hoists him to a top six in the final standings. 

 

In some ways it may have been simpler just to give the Class C medium wheels trophy to Jack Dance before he started on Sunday. He won his class twenty four marks up on Bassenthwaite’s Cameron Brice who only contested the last four events and yet ended up sixth in the standings. Surrey’s Dale Freeman consistently scored at every trial and only missed the rostrum at Scarborough. Beta convert Henry Stephenson finally got the electric light brigade out of his system to win Youth D medium wheels while James Galloway tried a higher class. Henry’s six second places were good but his victory was even better. Aston Brightmore joined the party with a fine third place.

 

New I/C champion Josh McParland claimed second place even after a ‘bath’ in the stream at the third section in the Low Meadow. Those three sections were green for the first lap and the small wheelers did struggle for traction, especially the electrics with their instant power delivery. Only in the internal combustion engine class did the scores rocket. Paul Robinson and Ted Harston masterminded the course with three starters in the stream then another three grass and rock climbs east of parc ferme then up to the limestone garden where section six to eight climbed up through limestone slabs and steps. The last five sections were a complete contrast in dry and dusty Cogden Wood but every section was cleaned in all classes. A Clerk of Course dream.

 

David Peacock took over as announcer at the awards presentation while Sandra Fowler and Vicky Andrew selected the trophies.