I was entered in Class 0 in my Sidevalve Dellow. However, a lazy summer meant I hadn't fixed the car since breaking it on last years trial. Decided to go up and take pictures rather than use the Beetle.
We spent the morning at Barmford and saw all the bikes and 75% of the cars. It was bone dry of course and very rough. Star climb of the day went to the guy on the old BSA Bantam who rode up as if it were a flat main road. Not so many of the other motorcyclists. We reckoned at least 25% of them fell off. Either in trying to get away from the restart or easing off to much for the final slab and loosing all momentum.
Many of the cars suffered from to much grip and there was a constant smell of fried clutch. This caused quite a problem for some of the higher geared re starters on the restart, their wheels wouldn't break traction and ease the pressure on the clutch resulting in stalling. There were some very impressive climbs by some of the seemingly endless procession of Suzuki's which without a restart made light work of the old hill.
We were in good company on Bamford. Pete & Carlie Hart, Mal & Donny Allen, Julian Lack, fellow non-starter Richard Peck and Tony Rothin, there to see Nick Farmer in his old car just some familiar faces. Oh and I nearly forgot El Presidente, sorry Jonathan.
Moving on to Excelsior we saw the last half of the cars, including a few Class 0's. The restart on the corner is past its sell by date. If the hole gets any deeper it will be down to a coal seam. Despite this it didn't present too many problems. Apart from those who started to spin their wheels and were rapidly given a fail and told to stop by the restart marshal. Lets hope this didn't cost anyone a triple.
How was your Edinburgh Trial?
I went to Litton to see virtually every competitor climb a simple grass track with no restart, and no problem. Presumably MCC weren't allowed/prepared to use last years route which was abandoned in the wet, or the old original route which was much steeper and longer. I then went to the Dudwood Farm Special test, where I saw most of the cars through, there were some very spirited efforts by the usual competitors with I think the flying Nick Farmer getting FTD. but the fastest run up was a demonstration run by Dean Partington,who was not competing, but went up the course in fine style in his old car.
ReplyDeletePhotos will be available soon.
Dave Cook
I had a very enjoyable day in the Beetle. Despite the sections all being bone dry and dusty, the chance to tour around the Peaks on a stunning summer day more than made up for any shortcomings - a pleasant change from rain and biting winds.
ReplyDeleteI think the new site of the new section at Carsington has potential, although is very weather dependent. I'm sure I spotted Dave Cook at Putwell A ? Both Putwell sections were as rough as ever and needed a measured approach. My thanks go to the marshals here (and on any other sections) who were marshalling gates on the track after the section.
This year we made our first successful climb of Bamford - no doubt helped by the dry conditions, although I can only describe the experience as harrowing and I am still surprised that the Beetle was still running at the top. With a 1300, a foot down approach is needed to keep the wheels spinning but I wonder if perhaps I was a bit spirited as I crashed over the concrete?
We managed to clear the restart on Excelsior this year with no probs, which is where we came undone last year and were looking good for a medal. By the last few hills we were very hot and very tired, but continued to enjoy the challenges of Clough and Dudwood to end the day clean. I certainly thought the Dudwood ST was interesting - I don't think I have ever used 2nd gear on a ST before!
All in all a great day. Stunning views across the Peaks and picnicking out side make a pleasant change on the Edinburgh. The sections were rough, but were a nice challenge - particularly towards the end of the day. I'm sure that there are loads of people claiming golds and that Special Test times will decide on class wins. Off to the garage now to see whether we got through the event unscathed or whether Bamford took its toll...
Apart from my abysmul (and that is a mild word, could have used far stronger) attempt to get Mike Telford and myself from the Bull to the Start we had a cracking day out in the Tucker Nipper Special. The car handles beautuifully on rough stuff in totall contrast to Baldrick which would be bucking around like a cork on the high seas. Putwell MUST be getting rougher every single year. How long can it be used for? We failed on Bamford and I walked the latter part of the hill. Ive never been up that far on wheels or foot and never realised how long it was. Its definately got puff factor!!! An excellent trial in a famous car, glorious weather, good crack with marshals and nice to see some familiar faces marshalling from Fell Side Auto Club, the Skoda Forum, Ilkley and District Motor Club and others. Definately a superb learning curve with a very experienced classic trialling pilot. Must do some car prep now.
ReplyDeleteWe went up to Derbyshire with a car load of marshals from the west county, as many others did. Our night time vigil started at 4am at Deep Rake. A short section for Class “0” with a restart box to match which court out quite a few. Mike Slatter upon an all British combination crawled out of the box with the skill gained over many years. A privilege to watch. My apologies to Simon Groves who was talking to me about route markings – at that time I had not realised that some had been stolen. Later in the day we watched at Bamford, were again it was experience and skill that determined ones chance of success. Tyre pressure verses power, vehicle weight and clutch strength was a very fine balance. The slip factor of a spinning wheel had been removed from the standard formula resulting in many failures. Impressive climb by a Nova and the daily shopping car of Dave & Ann’s SS1. Best climb of the day goes to the passenger of the Austin 7 who ran up Bamford following his car that cleaned it ! With many pressures upon the sport we all enjoy it appears that no representative can be challenged for the extreme weather conditions. Looking forward to Mike’s pics.
ReplyDeleteWe went up to Derbyshire with a car load of marshals from the West Country, as many others did. Deep Rake was a short section for Class “0” with a restart box to match, which caught out quite a few. Mike Slatter upon an all British combination crawled out of the box with the skill gained over many years. A privilege to watch. Apologies to Simon Groves and a few others who advised me about poor route markings. At the time I had not realised that they had been stolen. Later in the day we watched at Bamford, where again it was experience and skill that determined ones chance of success. Tyre pressure verses power, vehicle weight and clutch strength was a very fine balance. The slip factor of a spinning wheel had been removed from the standard formula resulting in many failures. Impressive climb by a Nova and the daily shopping car of Dave & Ann Robinson, an SS1. Best climb of the day goes to the passenger of the Austin 7 who ran up Bamford following his car that cleaned it! The event was very dry and dusty but to make up for this the views of Derbyshire were superb. With many pressures upon the sport we all enjoy it appears that no representative can be challenged for the extreme weather conditions. Looking forward to Mike’s pics
ReplyDeleteSpent most of today editing and loading Photos.
ReplyDeleteThe Photos can be viewed here:-
http://hoits.smugmug.com/Classic-Trials/Edinburgh2011
and if you want to buy any of them they can be found here:-
http://www.photoboxgallery.com/classictrials
finally if you want to buy and electronic version please contact me via e'mail at
Dave_cook@blueyonder.co.uk
Dave Cook
A very straightforward day on the first corner of Bamford, where the water drain channel runs at forty five degrees across the track and is protected by a concrete embankment about six inches high. A few scraped a bit but all bar one took cleans up to the turning area. The dust was getting stirred around up there but we were only troubled once by flying stones. Only a late runner in a green Beetle missed a gear change and stopped there but he got it restarted on the loose hill to climb away nicely. After parking at the top and observing near the bottom, I was relieved to get a lift back to my car via the road, after some six or more hours on the hill the prospect of walking all the way back up was a dreadful thought.
ReplyDeleteI spoke to several local residents who were 100% in favour of us continuing to use the hill and one was most upset because she had intended to lay on coffee and teas for the queueing competitors but didn't get herself organised.
Looking at Dave's photos of Litton it appears that the section was the one previously taken by Class O, a very gentle climb with a little bump in the middle. I marshalled it several years ago before dawn. I guess the 'proper' route was not used to avoid fails exiting through the village? So where did fails exit this year, surely not back up the entry track? Maybe everyone went through the top gate, with an occasional push?
ReplyDeleteEveryone went out through the top gate. The section was so straightforward I don't recall anyone needing a push.
ReplyDeleteDave C
Any idea why the easy track was taken? Was the bottom one not available for some reason? Are we lucky to get access at all? Do we need to get the council planning guys along to a Masons meeting?
ReplyDeleteExamples of keeping the locals sweet for the Ilkley trial have seen us running a stand at Otley Show where we had twenty cars displayed (several local sections) and running the car parking at Nidderdale Show (particularly Pately Bridge and the nearby Incline). I believe our high profile helps when we run an event. Several members are good friends with many of the sheep in North Yorkshire and tremble at the sight of a Border Collie but it certainly opens gates when we ask for access to sections.
What a grand day out.
ReplyDeleteFirstly thanks the the excellent Marshalling across the whole event and as usual everybody did a fantastic job and how lovely it was to get such a warm hello at the start of each section.
I know it was dry and lots of people cleared most of the sections but I really enjoyed the day. I had my best performance to date. I got up all except Bamford but failed two re-starts so just missed a Bronze award. Putwell A & B were a bit of a surprise having never got past the first 50yrds. I got up both and was surprised to see there was still air in my front tyres. I really enjoyed Clough Mine, a good fun section, chance to get on the loud pedal for a good blast :)
RE Litton. I am sure that it is important that we retain an annual presence at the venue to ensure we don't voluntarily opt out of using it. If we stop going there all together the National Park would be on stronger ground to permanently block the use of the old route.
Roll on next year and hopefully a bit of rain leading upto the event would be good.
Lee
We don't currently use the traditional track, becuae English Nature objects.
ReplyDeleteIt would seem that there is a rare item for flora in the valley and EN don't seem to grasp the idea that if it has survived our ministrations over the last 70+ years it might continue to do so in spite of our presence. The national park authority has the final say, and the club continues to work with them. We continue to use the current track as part of the "softlee softlee cactchee monkee" approach.
Litton is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and the various authorities stop us using it on account of this. As Simon points out, they dont seem to realise that anything growing their survived the annual presence of cars for years.
ReplyDeleteThe organising team have to fight every year to gain any access to the site, although remain hopeful of being able to use the 'proper' hill in the near future. In the meantime we maintain a presence. Fingers crossed eh!
As a trials virgin the Edinburgh was my first turn of a competition wheel. Following weeks of panic and nervousness, how many things were going to fall off the car and was I going to break it on the first section, I turned up at Tamworth with my friend Roger Beaumont and his wife. I had bought one of the numerous Suzuki X-90s very cheaply and it was a perfect choice for me, having very limited garage facilities. The weather was perfect and after the first couple of sections my confidence was rising. Then I arrived at Putwell B. Rough wasn't the word for it. Panic took over and I stalled about 10 feet from the top. More confidence and momentum was obviously required. This seemed the answer. Apart from some confusion about a restart. I did and wasn't supposed to, I cleaned everything else including the infamous Bamford Clough. I had no idea that Suzukis bounced so well! The only downside is that the rear silencer has been beaten flat on the bottom. A bit more ride height needed I think.
ReplyDeleteIt was a great first event, fantastic scenery, great company, cameraderie and entertainment and I can't wait for the next one. Roll on the Exeter although I am sure a spot of rain and mud will make things very different.
Kevin Sharp
I have finished uploading all my images of Putwell A and Excelsior. They can be seen at http://johnsalter.multiply.com/photos
ReplyDeleteGreat weather and a sharp contrast to last year. Having 'graduated' from Class 'O as a returnee in 2010, I was able to experience Putwell and Bamford Clough after a break of 31 years (33 years in FWD), and what experiences!
ReplyDeleteRiley's Rise, Clough Mine, and Dudwood, were all worthy sections. Litton Slack was a surprise since I was anticipating the long climb out of the valley, having not kept abreast of the developments now outlined in this thread. Disappointing as a section in the dry, but I am sure that the measured approach, and continued inclusion is correct.
On previous occasions, I recall starting from Coventry Services, breakfast at Atkins Cafe or the Salt Box, and an earlier start time, Friday evening. My marked maps from 1980 evidence a longer route, with much more use of OS map 110, with several sections marked near the perimeters of the two reservoirs to the north west of Buxton. I recall these as worthy sections, one of which zig-zagged up a steep incline with marvellous views over the reservoir - (and of running behind the 'works' Morgan MMC11, with Charles at the wheel, climbing with impressive speed, akin to a hillclimb!).
Chance of a return?
John.
I think the zig zag section was probably Haggside John
ReplyDeleteI reckon your thinking of Corkscrew which is in the Goyt Valley set of reservoirs North West of Buxton, actually in Cheshire and Old Long Hill. I only recall Corkscrew as a 6,7,8 hill as there were some vicious steps and rocks. I remember Old Long Hill running in both directions and while a traditional hill and being quite long i don't recall it causing many problems. We lost Corkscrew because the block who lived at the bottom complained that we polluted his fish pond with oil.
ReplyDeleteHaggside is North East of Buxton and has better views of a reservoir and is still a contentious issue with ROW campaigners! I don't recall any other sections up that way?
Oh, there was a section called Bareleg out towards the Cat and Fiddle somewhere too!
ReplyDeleteI competed in a few Derbyshire (now Edingburgh) trials in the sixties and remember Jenkins Chapel as a zig zag section a lot of which was bordered by stone walls.
ReplyDeleteTo add to Sams and Cliffs post. Jenkins Chapel and Corkscrew are the same section.
ReplyDeleteI wrote about this back in October 1997 http://www.classictrials.co.uk/gas97102.htm followed a few years later by an update following some great stuff from Andrew Brown, Tony Branson and Kevin Barnes http://www.classictrials.co.uk/Gas99102.htm
Takes a bit of finding over at www.clasictrials.co.uk as it was about two versions before the present layout of the site but the above links will take you there.
More of my ancient stuff here http://www.classictrials.co.uk/Archive.htm
i walked up Corkscrew the day after this years Edinburgh Trial and found myself longing to be able to have a go at it. It is becoming quite overgrown and the rocks and stones are slowly disappearing under encroaching grasses and moss. The second hairpin is very washed out, down to bedrock, there are obvious signs of previous repairs. The steps after the hairpins are pretty fearsome! I don't know if the spring at the top of the hill has always made its way down the entire hill, but it was a bit of a change from the conditions of the hills on the Edinburgh!
ReplyDeleteRainow Parish Council are worried that the Corkscrew will be lost forever and seem in favour of removing the gates and signage that questionably appeared some years ago.