Dropping just two marks after four laps of ten sections was enough for Andrew King to claim the honours at Red Rose Classic MCC’s club championship trial – and that’s not bad for a rider who only does one event a year. But King does have one advantage over the other competitors, as he and his family own the land at Noyna, near Colne, which was used for round seven of the series. Nevertheless, it was a near-faultless performance by the Fantic rider, who had a single dab on sections three and five to win the Twinshock class, three marks clear of the Bultaco of Darren Mitchell. Third place in the class went to David Wilkinson (Honda) on 14.
Owen Hardisty, winner last time out at Walsden, opted to plot the course along with Twinshock front runner Wilkinson and Mel Dibb, before helping out with observer duties on the day. The trio made effective use of the compact venue, which overlooks Lake Burwain at Foulridge, pulling off the feat of making the sections an enjoyable test for all levels of riders. Hazards included grass hillocks, rock slabs and steep gravel paths, all waiting to catch out the unwary.
Former world champion Yrjo Vesterinen, out on his immaculate Bantam, pipped Andrew Scott and his Cub for the honours in class C by just one mark. The pair were well ahead of the rest of the opposition, with Dave Ingram finishing a distant third on 23.
John Gornall and his eye-catching Norton had a clear run to victory in class A, after the retirement of Garry Shaw and his Ariel, while Chris Nutter had a great run in class Ce, dropping just three marks on his Ariel.
The runner-up spot was decided on the Oldest Rider rule, with Lee Walker (BSA) pipping Joel Brayford (Ariel) on six marks each.
Andy Hesketh picked up maximum points in class D, winning again on his Terrier after the only other contenders Paul Harrison (Banvil) and Eric Atkinson (Ambassador) both retired.
Bantam rider Steve Thomas’ two marks was always going to be difficult to beat in class Ce, and so it proved, with Peter Elvidge, on another Bantam, finishing second on five. Les Humphries rounded off the top three on his Cub, on mark behind.
The OR rule came into play again in class Te, with John Wilson and Max Greenwood, both on Yamahas, tieing on four marks each. Wilson got the verdict, with Mark Wilson (Honda) third on 8 marks.
Red Rose Classic MCC would like to thank the landowner, the clerks-of-the-course and the observers. Their next trial is on Sunday, September 4 at Float Bridge, near Nelson. Nearest postcode is BB10 3RE.
RESULTS
Class A: John Gornall (Norton) 20. No other finishers.
Class Ae: Chris Nutter (Ariel) 3, Lee Walker (BSA) 6, Joel Brayford (Ariel) 6.
Class C: Yrjo Vesterinen (Bantam) 6, Andrew Scott (Cub) 7, Dave Ingram (BSA) 23.
Class Ce: Steve Thomas (Bantam) 2, Peter Elvidge (Bantam) 5, Les Humphries (Cub) 6.
Class D: Andy Hesketh (Terrier) 19.
Class T: Andrew King (Fantic) 2, Darren Mitchell (Bultaco) 5, David Wilkinson (Honda) 14.
Class Te: John Wilson (Yamaha) 4, Max Greenwood (Yamaha) 4, Mark Wilson (Honda) 8.