Juan Knight showed all of his considerably experience and typical relaxed approach to win the Diamond Jubilee Manx 2 Day Trial this weekend.
Riding a brand new 300 Scorpa he completed the first day for a loss of 7 marks, and followed this up with another 7 on Sunday leaving him on 14 and a clear margin in front of second placed Barry Kinley riding a 300 Knight Gas Gas. Both riders have been on the podium at this event numerous times and with their local knowledge it was always going to come down to a tussle between them. They are good friends and rode the weekend together so could see just what the other was up to.
Recently turned 40, and a former British Enduro Champion, Knight took stayed calm and wouldn’t admit to feeling the pressure when on stage collecting his awards. But once again he showed just how good he is and took the well deserved victory.
Just one mark behind Kinley in third was MRS John Lee Sherco mounted Ben Sprigg. Fourth after the first day he stayed consistent and pulled back a place to take the final podium spot, Nathan Wrigglesworth taking his 300 Appleyard Sherco to fourth and former top Youth rider, Tom Maddrell finishing his first ‘Manx’ in fifth. The top six was completed by another former top youth rider and IOM Centre Enduro Champion Chris Madigan.
There was more local success in the sidecars with current British Championship leaders Nigel Crellin/Chris Molyneux (300 Knight Gas Gas) taking a convincing win. After losing the trial at the final section last year, Nigel and Chris were determined to make amends and they did that in style by establishing a clear 8 mark advantage after the first day. Losing 14 marks for the weekend they were 11 in front Darryl Dale/Hannah Etherington (300 Pro-Door Gas Gas) with father and son Adrian/Aaron Smith taking third.
In fourth place was the rapidly improving William Caine/Beth Thomas, husband and wife crew of Michael and Julie Owen were best Over 40’s in fifth and Peter Dale/Harriet Shaw completed the top 6 places on theor 300 PDF Beta.
The solo Clubman Class saw Tom Swindlehurst hold his nerve after a first day loss of 1 mark, he added 5 more on Sunday to win the class and take the award for best under 21 Clubman Solo. Previous winner and experienced competitor Darren Wasley was second just 2 marks down, Steve Swanson taking his 300 John Lee Beta to third with Michael Clarke, Nicky Dowling and Gavin Cooper completing the top 6.
Update - 8th September 2015
There has been an amendment made to the results from the Diamond Jubilee Manx 2-Day Trial held on the August Bank Holiday weekend.
Due to a technical infringement that recently came to the organising committee’s attention it has been necessary to exclude the Clubman Class winner Tom Swindlehurst from the results and promote Darren Wasley into first place.
This means that in addition to winning the GH Corlett Trophy for best Clubman Solo Over 40, Darren also now wins the Peveril Club Trophy for Clubman Class Winner.
Steve Swanson is now classified as second place with Michael Clarke taking third, and of course all the other Clubman finishers move up one place in the results.