The winter weather in Britain nowadays is very changeable and unpredictable and on the Friday while Paul Beswick, the Clerk of the Course, and his two helpers Jim Wickstead and Tony Shaw endured freezing torrential rain and temperatures in minus figures whilst setting the course for Sundays trial who would have thought the sun would shine on Sunday for this the penultimate round of the Peak Classic Trials Clubs 2012/13 Championship. Sundays sunshine was almost eclipsed by the smiles on the riders faces as they attempted 4 laps of 10 sections laid out over the rocky outcrops and trees that abound at this classic venue which has featured in so many Trials videos and magazine articles. The land used to be Mick Andrews practice ground but has recently been taken over by local trials impresario Barry Burton of YMSA fame so now the future of this popular venue should be assured.

The event was made even better because for the first time this year we managed to have all but two of the sections manned all day with the riders only having to observe each other on the remaining two sections. Thanks must therefore go out to our three regular observers Graham and Pat Chinnery and Peter Baxter who turn up in all weathers and an especially warm welcome and thank you to all the other observers and we hope to welcome you all again at our events next year. It’s so hard to attract observers so we really appreciate your participation.

Right the results. The Expert British Bike class was won in fine style by David Dench making one of his rare appearances with a loss of just 9 marks. Second in class was Barry Burtons son Dan on 12 both riders Tiger Cub mounted. So with the four strokes ruling the roost third place was secured by Dan’s dad Barry on his James who lost a credible 29 to round off the top three.

Young Robert Carson led the Expert Twinshock riders with a win on just 16 marks which was just one mark less than Dale Shaw on his Majesty on 17. A really close battle that could have gone either way right up to the last section of the day. Robert Mycock also had a good ride to third with a loss of 33 on his faithful Bultaco.

Peter Carson really showed what a class act he is by winning the Classic Expert British Bike class on his rigid BSA Bantam losing just 2 marks on a tricky section 2 which combined slippery tree roots, tight turns and rocks and caught many riders out.

Ian Bend on his Ossa took the honours in the Classic Expert Twinshock class with a win on 10 marks keeping Championship leader Anthony Sprinks in second on his Bultaco losing 14. A strong surge by Ian but sadly too late as Tony has already tied up the Championship in this class.

The Intermediate British Bike class was a very close fought affair with the nod finally going to Neil Walker on his Francis Barnett from Colin Fray on his very original complete with leading link front forks Dot with both rider tying on 25 marks but Neil had more cleans so took the win.

Two more excellent rides well worth mention were Cliff Bradley, Majesty, who won the Classic Intermediate Twinshock class with a miserly loss of just 4 marks and Jon Tye out on his beautiful little rigid BSA Bantam who had an excellent ride to win the Clubman British Bike category for a loss of only 5 marks made up of 3 on section 3 a long rocky climb and 2 on section 10 another long loose rocky climb. Well done the both of you fantastic effort.

Well with just the one round left at Clifton on 20^th January next year to finish off the Championship all that remains is to thank everybody who helped make 2012 such an enjoyable year and we hope to see you all again in 2013.

Expert British Bike

1^st David Dench Tiger Cub 9 marks

2^nd Dan Burton Tiger Cub 12 marks

3^rd Barry Burton James 29 marks

Expert Twinshock

1^st Robert Carson Yamaha 16 marks

2^nd Dale Shaw Majesty 17 marks

3^rd Robert Mycock Bultaco 33 marks

Classic Expert British Bike

1^st Peter Carson BSA Bantam rigid 2 marks

Classic Expert Twinshock

1^st Ian Bend Ossa 10 marks

2^nd Anthony Sprinks Bultaco 14 marks

3^rd Peter Kearsley Honda 25 marks

Classic Expert Air Cooled Mono

1^st Gary Martin Yamaha 28 marks

Intermediate British Bike

1^st Neil Walker Francis Barnett 25 marks

2^nd Colin Fray Dot 25 marks

Intermediate Twinshock

1^st Nick Burton Fantic 27 marks

2^nd Mark Kearsley Yamaha 30 marks

3^rd Steve Blackburn Montesa 33 marks

Classic Intermediate British Bike

1^st Paul Beswick James 7 marks

2^nd Rob Goodwin Francis Barnett 14 marks

Classic Intermediate Twinshock

1^st Cliff Bradley Majesty 4 marks

2^nd John Morley Honda 12 marks

3^rd Tony Shaw Bultaco 16 marks

Clubman British Bike

1^st Jon Tye BSA Bantam rigid 5 marks

2^nd Henry Tindell BSA Bantam rigid 21 marks

3^rd David Pickering Francis Barnett 24 marks

Clubman Twinshock

1^st Phillip Higgins Ossa 4 marks

2^nd Martin Page Fantic 11 marks

3^rd Stephen Baker Yamaha 24 marks

Youth

1^st Harry Lyons Beta 29 marks

2^nd Shannon Butler Gas Gas 66 marks

Paul, I like your chronicles. They have a vintage taste that reminds me the old times motorcycle journalism.

Merry Christmant to the members of the Peak Classic Club. Some good friends there

Paul, I like your chronicles. They have a vintage taste that reminds me the old times motorcycle journalism.

Merry Christmant to the members of the Peak Classic Club. Some good friends there

Merry Christmas to you and yours as well Javier. Keep your feet up