elite

I'm currently working up in Durham and spend a lot of time in the Pity Me area of the city. When I was riding the Youth scene back in the glorious 80's I did quite a few meetings at a farm (?) in Pity Me and one thing that is still clear in my mind is the awful stench that came from a nearby Chicken farm/factory. The thing is I cant remember where the trials were held. I've spent hours driving round the place after work over the past few weeks trying to find any familiar landmarks but seeing as though we are going back 20 years I guess a lot of the area has changed. Do any of you know the whereabouts of the place I mean? Sorry it's a bit vague but I dont have any more info. Cheers Gaz

I'm struggling to remember who was competing in the event I was on about above. Will have to dig out the old scrapbook. Pretty sure Tony Scarlett and Darren Snell were there. Some of the other guys who I used to compete against (for compete, read lose!!) around that time were Paul Edmondson (never forget that SWM of his), Jeremy Craggs, Paul Furness, Richard Brown, Rob Edwards, Nigel Mackenzie and others that slip my beer riddled memory. Remember getting my picture taken with Peter Purves at one of the adult Kickstart meetings one year. Also remember being in total awe of Eddy LeJeune and his 4T Honda. That man could make a bike dance! What about Bernie Schrieber making mincemeat of the Transit vans! Slightly off topic but one of the biggest memories I have of my days in the Youth classes was a day of private tuition with Pete Cartwright up on't Richmond hills. My Dad used to have his own sports promotion business and somehow managed to blag Pete into agreeing to it. It didnt make me a world beater but I sure as hell enjoyed it!!

I know this is no use...... ...but Bill did used to have a website at www.frankfieldfantic.co.uk but it's no longer online. Could come back one day.

Hi all, my first post on the forum. I used to love the Kickstart series. Back in the early eighties, 82/83 I think, myself (B Class) and my brother (C Class) did the qualifying round at Priest House, Nottingham for Junior Kickstart. It was an excellent weekend, stayed over in those little chalet things they had there and was well fired up for a chance to get on the telly. Despite it being my first "proper" arena trial I felt pretty good getting ready for the start. Then it all went wrong!! Fived the first section, two water filled skips about 8 feet apart joined by a plank of wood. Made a right mess of the cable drum see-saw section and then my composure just got up and left me. On the second lap I fell off the top of an Austin 1100 (went to take a dab and the roof wasn't there.... ). Bent the bars on my Majesty, some guy came running over to straighten them but in doing so snapped them clean in two. I was relieved! All I could think of was "Dad, I wanna go home!" Looking back on it I loved every minute of it and it's something I'll never forget. Bring back Kickstart!! Gaz