Report Ken O'Brien
Mud glorious mud and all 40 plus entrants had a brilliant bit of fun at Folly Farm for the second round of the Ixion 2025 club championship.
Much Winter rain for many weeks made the going tough in and out of the sections and the cold easterly wind was taking its toll on the hardy observers.
Four laps of eight sections were ridden where old fashioned muddy climbs and gullies were the order off the day.
Eventual Expert class winner Bailey Tibbs piloted the 250 Beta around for a 23 mark loss.
Bailey had good rides on section three ' The Verandah ' starting in the field with a steep ascent before leveling off to the left along a narrow ledge then a sharp right-handed camber with a minimal grip steep climb to the ends.
George Marshall Intermediate riding the hard route lost 30 with an excellent performance on section one a tricky sandy drop of some fifty yards then a seventy yard climb back up this time with mud and sand so fourth gear was the minimum requirement for this hazard.
Next up were the 50/50 brigade with Jason Clifford on fire taking runner-up spot behind Edward Hall over from the Midland Centre for the day.
Section six done the damage for both riders where nerves of Steele were needed to negotiate the never ending series of fallen trees and muddy turns.
Victoria Payne took third spot on the STR 250 Sherco with some great rides on the steep banks of section five ' Bruces Brambles ' a notoriously slick rooted cambered bank with unforgiving drops and turns.
The Yellow middle route was a close run affair in the Clubman class with only 15 marks separating the top six riders.
Alan Taylor TRS 250 took maximum championship points with a loss of 31 just edging out Dave Barrett 250 Beta by a handful of marks.
News was getting around that section four was a stopper so the crowd had gathered here to witness some exiting stuff where both Alan and Dave mastered it on the first two visits but the rain was starting to take its toll on both the descent and climb out.
An innocuous looking sandy thirty yard drop at snail pace was required to get lined up for the second downhill part before a quick fourth gear turn then a really slick hill-climb with a left handed drop around the Old Oak Tree with Alan taking the Ribbon on this yellow route hazard.
Jordan Agar 290 was Best Novice making the trip down from Redditch a worthwhile one.
On the yellow route the equal second best ride of the day came from Pete Cook 200 Fantic with four superb cleans at section two a hundred yard flat out wet steep climb with a twenty yard run-up in third before the really steep drop and chicane to negotiate with very little braking capability on this ageing drum braked machine.
The 200 Fantics little motor could be heard from far in the woods detonating half-way up the climb.
Most modern machines were pulling fourth and fifth gears and with proper braking systems to hand and foot.
Young Alfred Ovens was having a great day 56 marks lost on the 125 Gasser pulling fifth gear on many sections with much reward and a Youth A first place was secured.
The ever popular eased white route was not as easy as it looked with Simon Dowling posting the best overall score 16 in the Sportsman class.
Section seven a forty yard muddy track with bottom but underlying roots and rocks made for difficult times for most riders gaining threes but then Simon stepped up with three cleans and a steadying prod third lap a brilliant achievement to the astonishment of the cheering gobsmacked crowd.
Kenny Presly rocketed around in style to beat the forecast heavy rain on the tidy TLR200 Honda and was rewarded with a win in the Twinshock class.
Pre 65 Victor was Roy Haines 250 Ariel Leader posting 21 marks lost with section eight a nadgery slippy undulating affair only managing to take marks from Roy on two occasions.
The Ariel Twin also found much grip pulling low gears on the long steep climbs where moderns could not.
Many thanks to all who braved the wind and rain.
Next Trial is the Harold Avery Cup on March 9th Beckley.