The Isle of Wight MCC held its annual Wight Two Day Trial last weekend 18th & 19th April. This year introducing roadwork for some riders. Trials riding on the Island has been exclusively all off road for a little over 30 years. The return to road work is in preparation of the event’s golden anniversary Trial in 2017.
Saturday’s sections were at Knighton Sand Pit & Bembridge Down. Riders taking part on the road had to complete 10 sections at Knighton & 10 at Bembridge before returning to Knighton. Riders not taking part on the road completed 3 laps at Knighton. Sunday’s sections were at Cheverton Chalk Pit, Shorwell Chalk Pit and Haslett Farm.
The Club would like to thank Mr Roger Morgan, The Taylor Family, Rowena Von Albedeyll, Ralph Cook and Glen Draper for the kind use of their land.
The overall winner of the trial was Island rider Will West, taking part in the Twin Shock, hard route with roadwork, losing just 11 marks for the weekend. Rory Stephens and Nick Symes finishing in second & third respectively. Ian Pemberdy of the Normandy Club had arguably the best ride of the weekend (pre 65 class) managing to complete the entire trial on his BSA Bantam without losing a single mark – excellent achievement.
Andy Scott Jackson headed up the open, hard group (class 5) with a fine performance finishing with a loss of 35 with Stuart Gummer not too far away in 2nd.
The all off road hard (class 7) was won by mainland rider Paul Nash of the Southend & District mcc with a total of just 9 for the weekend. Paul was tied with Rob Fleet, Bexleyheath mcc, after the 1st day both on 4 marks lost. Rob finished in a respectable 6th place in a class with 17 riders. Chris Every of Southend & DMCC finished second with Simon Newnham (IOWmcc) in third.
Michael Graves (Waltham Chase mcc) took a convincing win in class 8 from Islanders Mike Taylor & Jon Croft who had to settle for 2nd and 3rd places.
Island Youth star Jos Wright found himself in a battle with Tom Norris of Bexleyheath in class 9 (Youth Hard). Jos had a good advantage after day 1 and managed to keep ahead of Tom to take the win. Jos finished on 71 with Tom on 112 – good effort by both riders. Another Island youth rider, Jacob Furnell competing on his Beta 80cc machine also put in a solid performance over the two days. 
Although riding unopposed in the Youth Easy (class 10) he earned the win finishing on 107 for the weekend.
The Club would like to say a special thank you to all the Observers who displayed good patience having to wait for those out on the road to return for their last laps – brilliant effort. The Club held a raffle for the Observers on each day to show our appreciation. Thanks also to Terry Graves (ACU Southern Centre Steward) who once again gave up his weekend to officiate & keep us all in check.
The full results are available from the Club’s website: www.iowmcc.co.uk. Our next Club trial (Summer Series 1st Rnd) is on Sunday 24th May at 12 noon. The venue is still to be confirmed.