The Isle of Wight Motorcycle Club kickstarted this year’s Summer Series Trials Championships on Sunday 19th May at Pagham Farm, Rookley. The Club would like to thank A.B. Farms for welcoming us back to what is an excellent venue. Many thanks to Michael Brown and Geoff Taylor for cutting back the overgrowth last weekend. Geoff Taylor had the sole responsibility of setting the eight section lap and he managed to provide something for everyone – very well done Geoff. Thanks also go to the volunteers who gave up their time to Observe the trial along with Photographers; Viki Taylor and Gill Locke.
The Pat Death Summer Series consists of three trials held in May, June and July. Adult riders must complete all three rounds (in the same class) to be eligible for an award. The weather conditions were just about perfect, slightly overcast but crucially warm and dry meaning there was plenty of grip to be found in the higher sections away from the stream.
It was really good to see Elite riders; George Gosden and Josh Stephens in action, adding some super hard deviations to some of the sections. George had the upper hand today dropping a miserly two marks with Josh finishing ten more behind. Never the less, these two provided some great spectating whilst inspiring the younger riders. James Stay was out on his own in the Expert class, despite the lack of competition he completed the trial with a competitive score of just eleven. James cleaned every section except seven and eight where he lost almost all his marks.
The well contested Intermediate class was convincingly won by Tom Richards who ended the day on nine. Scout Gregory claimed second place on thirty-nine with young Harvey Grieve just eight more adrift in third. – an excellent performance by Tom.
Things were very much closer in the Over 50’s, between Simon Newnham and Rory Stephens. Six marks between them, not even the difficult triple root exit from section seven, helped to separate them – they both lost just a single mark there. Section three is where all the difference was made, Rory lost over half his total - which ultimately cost him the trial.
Scott Milton continues to enjoy his spell of good form in the Clubman class, securing another win, with a thirty-two mark cushion, from in second Phil Chase. Sections one, three, four and five proving decisive.
Meanwhile over in the Novice class it was Paul West who held his nerve to stay ahead of Joe Taylor in second – only seven marks between these two. Steve Chase found sections four and five very expensive, relegating him into the third spot. Nick Symes (Twinshock) and John Townsend (British Bike Class) both secured the maximum ten Championship points getting their Summer Series campaigns off to a flying start. Kevin Smith won the Adult Beginner class very convincingly by sixty-nine marks from the relatively new rider Mike True in second. The gap between these two is somewhat distorted, Its not clear if Mike had a mechanical problem or sustained an injury but he was much more competitive on the first two laps.
Three Youth riders competing this afternoon; Dan Locke, Alfie Gaskin and Josh Morris in the Youth Novice’s with Bertie Grieve in the Youth Beginners. Dan Locke took a convincing win forcing Alfie Gaskin into second spot – helped no doubt by his new Bike which he is obviously very quickly getting to grips with. Unfortunately Josh Morris was carrying an injury sustained at an earlier practice session at home, he was forced to retire soon after the trial started.
Bertie Grieve continues to gain in confidence with every outing, its clear to see he thoroughly enjoys the sport – rewarded today with ten Championship points. The pick of the bunch in the Sportsman class was Jono Read, he was taking on the ‘C route’ and completed the trial for just a single dab – a foot down at section four spoiling an otherwise clean sheet.
Isle of Wight MCC Summer Series
Isle of Wight MCC