The Staffordshire Moorlands first trial of the new season was held at Buttyfold Farm, Upper Hulme on Sunday. The weather had a big part to play as recent storms and heavy overnight rain made the course almost impossible. Emergency action by club officials on the morning of the event eventually allowed the trial to take place with a shortened format.
Even so, the course was extremely difficult and congratulations to all the riders who made it to the finish and to the staunch observers who manned every section.
Special thanks to the landowner, Jeff Day, without whose help and assistance to use his farmyard as a parking area the event would not have taken place.
An entry of fifty riders braved the conditions and the Brightmore brothers dominated the Expert route competitors, Mitch gaining the advantage over Ashton, with Tom Shepherd and Harry Bowyer close behind.
Darren Jones steered his TRS to a narrow victory in the 50/50 class, leading home runner up Jack Harris, followed by Tom Bennett and Tom Hanks.
The medium route result was a victory for Mark Hawkins who finished 10 marks ahead of Matt Treweek with Keith Burgess on his air cooled Yamaha in third.
The clubmans route scores were more in keeping with what we are used to resulting in a win for Nick Stott who held off Phil Critchlow, Alistair Rowe and Ken Roberts.
RESULTS
EXPERTS
Mitch Brightmore Gas Gas 12 marks lost
Ashton Brightmore Gas Gas 38
Tom Shepherd Gas Gas 68
Harry Bowyer Gas Gas 69
Gary Huxley Beta 83
Jake Jones Beta 149
50/50 ROUTE
Darren Jones TRS 64
Tom Bennett TRS 67
Tom Hanks Gas Gas 71
Liam Atkinson Beta 84
MEDIUM ROUTE
Mark Hawkins Montesa 47
Matt Treweek Beta 57
Keith Burgess Yamaha 90
Neil Jackson Gas Gas 98
Steve Hitchcock Honda 105
CLUBMANS ROUTE
Nick Stott Gas Gas 16
Phil Critchlow Gas Gas 22
Alistair Rowe Beta 28
Ken Roberts Gas Gas 29
Zack Johnson TRS 30